Roland TD-50X, Mapex Falcons, Superior Drummer 3 - 200bpm drum jam

[nightlight]

A bit of drift here and there, but drums aren’t my main instrument so I’m quite rusty as this is the first time I’m playing them in a few weeks.

 

[Monkey Man]

Moving this from OTC to the main sub-forum Brother AJ.

If you're not happy with this just let me know brother.

 

[NeubyWanKaneuby]

As far as I'm concerned, that's pretty good. I couldn't even do 40 bpm drumming.

 

[Monkey Man]

How are you playing the kick Brother AJ?

 

[nightlight]

How are you playing the kick Brother AJ?

It’s a technique called double strokes, Nicky. Glad you found it interesting.

See this video.



The method he is playing is called heel-toe. But I play something that is more like toe-toe.

I had experimented with heel-toe for a long time, but found it always had a galloping sound, which is cool for some songs, but I always wanted a Dave Lombardo-ish fluidity to the bass sound.

There are some real world users like Eugene Ryabchenko of Fleshgod Apocalypse who use this technique to play very fast and he is very fluid in the videos.

I do it slightly different though. I keep my feet up in what you call a heel up position. And what I do is play right right left left on the kick pedals.

I like to think of this as Moeller Method Double Bass. Moeller was the guy who all drummers study when it comes to stick control.

It’s all about economy of motion. My thighs don’t move up and down so much, but if you look at my toes, I press once, then press again on each side.

It’s not like I have the beaters close to the head or anything either, which I’ve read some people do and then just grind on the head. I need the beater to swing back after the initial stroke so that there is consistency both at high speeds as well as lower speeds. No point in just being able to do it at a fixed tempo.

Of course, you could just call it heel up doubles.

The best part about this technique though is that it really helps with balance, which is one of the critical elements when playing double bass drums.

 

[Monkey Man]

It’s a technique called double strokes, Nicky. Glad you found it interesting.

Oh I know about DS brother; I assumed your left foot was doing the open-close-hi-hat thing.

Should've looked more-closely.

Thank you for taking the time to explain 'though brudda.

 

[nightlight]

Welcome, Nicky.