Tips For Double Bass

Bobsy · 24th July 2003, 04:04 PM

Hi, i just got a double bass pedal (tama iron cobra powerglide to be exact) and its totally ace, im just wanting a few tips for it. I think the fastest i can play is leather rebel by proiest which aint all that fast plus im not briliant at it, does anyne have any tips on how to build up speed and how to keep on going? i find it easier to play quicker with my heels down so if anyone has any tips for that method then let me in on them please. Choyrs

pedro · 24th July 2003, 04:11 PM

in a word practice!!!! but i think many peoples techniques differ, when i play my heels never touch the pedals, double or single, i aint the fastest player at the mo but i can keep it going fo as long as i need, i feel that if u angle your feet very slightly left and right u get a rytham going, but hey could just be me.

Highlander · 24th July 2003, 04:19 PM

It's all about technique. Everybody is different. I use Iron Cobra also, but contrary to popular opinion, the pedals you use don't really matter as long as you oil them regularly.

To get faster, as Pete says practice. I practice for several hours before practices and used to have regular 4 and 5 hour sessions that got me as fast as I am now. This has enabled me to get up to nearly enough any speed I want to although I still have a long way to go. Listen to a lot of Drummers also and you'll hear some excellent double bass patterns, sit down and give them a try but just remember to keep at it - it might take a frustratingly long time but practice always works!

Once you get to a certain standard you'll also be able to use your pedal in your fills, if you can structure it without sounding messy it can sound class! I enjoy playing fills with my pedal and do it in nearly every song.

Good Luck Mate!

Bobsy · 25th July 2003, 11:59 PM

Today when i was playing i noticed that when i put my toes off the edge of the pedal, i get more power, or maybe it just felt like it. You reckon an hour a day is enough? my neighbour has a baby and i dont want to piss my parents off to much either so theres only an hour a day when i can practice. I play punk music with a bit of metal so i dont need to be super fast but it may make the drumming more interesting (and more fun to play) Cheers for the tips guys and keep em coming

pedro · 26th July 2003, 06:23 AM

just practice as often as u can, every bit of time will help

Bobsy · 26th July 2003, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob AOAS
Today when i was playing i noticed that when i put my toes off the edge of the pedal, i get more power, or maybe it just felt like it.

I realised that by angling the pedals it is more comfortable and easier to play, anyone else noticed this?

pedro · 27th July 2003, 04:36 PM

yeah i angle my left pedal slightly, but i angle my feet anyway so doesnt really matter to me

Bobsy · 27th July 2003, 05:25 PM

I decided i'd have a shot at playing heels up (which i did before i got my double bass) and i managed to play painkiller pretty much flawless, with a little bit of practice i'll be able to build up my strength and speed and be able to do really fast 16ths for minutes at a time. But i'll still be looking for advice, and if anyone has some cool tabs or anything then post them here.

Jamie The CFH · 18th August 2003, 02:55 PM

yo yo, i'd have to agree with everyone else on this and say that the best way to improve your technique is practice (sorry if that seems obvious!), but the thing about the double bass pedal is that when you first start it's hard as shite and even with practice it takes a good wee while before noticing any improvement in the slightest, but trust me - just keep practicing.

I think focusing on speed is not a good way of practicing - precision and consistancy are most important things - some people who are able to play fast as fuck can't play at a consistant volume at slower speeds, which ultimately is the most important thing - keeping the beat consistant.

a good learner for double bass is "Domination" by Pantera. It's tempo is absolutely perfect. It's not too fast and not too slow so if you practice with that it'll build up your consistancy and precision.

as for technique, i reckon you should just try to find your own because everyone is slightly differant. Personally i use the same "no heels" techinque as Pedro, i just find it the easiest and most comfortable way to do it.

I'm not as "fast" as alot of people who use the double bass pedal, but i've tried to get as consistant as possible and i pretty much never fuck up the stuff that i write - that Scud drummer's bloody fast though!!!! He's a great drummer! I think the fasted i can do a basic double pedal beat is at the tempo of the double bass fills in "fucking Hostile", by Pantera. I get really sloppy if i go any faster than that. It amazes me how fast some drummers can get with their legs, fucking mad!

right, i hope the advice from all these drummers has been helpful - practice!!!!

Afro Joe · 18th August 2003, 03:00 PM

I'm not good at double kick at all, it's cos i dont have one of my own i guess
I'm curious, has anyone ever tried doing the heel-toe technique on both bass pedals to get it even faster? Not that speed is the most important thing (as Jamie said) but just incase you did need it

Jamie The CFH · 18th August 2003, 03:10 PM

that'd be mad - i'd well be up for that (if only i could do the heel toe thing!)

joe, work with what ye'v got! i dinnae hae a pedal either! just airdrum for practice, it's just as effective for getting the technique.

Bobsy · 19th August 2003, 10:06 PM

Could someone explain the heal toe method to me please?

Highlander · 20th August 2003, 03:44 PM

Heel-Toe is a Double Bass technique created by Tim Waterson, who for those who don't know is the fastest double bass percussionist in the world, managing to reach 1407 double bass beats in 60 seconds at the last WFD (Worlds Fastest Drummer) festival. For more information you can check him out at www.drumcanman.com

Anyway, this technique is really only viable for people with wee feet. I am a size 12 and have tried it several times to no avail, so I use the heels up technique. Basically, the idea is that you use your toes to manouvre the front of the pedal then let your heel drop onto the bottom end of the pedal enabling you to get two beats for the price of one. Sonor brought out a Twin Effects Pedal for this specific technique. There is two beaters on the one pedal. The toe-end manouvres one of the beaters, the heal end manouvres the other - Sonor Twin Effect Pedal

This might give you some more information on the heel-toe technique - Tim Waterson Interview - I first heard about heel-toe in an Interview with Tim around two years ago. This one is much more up-to-date.

Good Luck.

Afro Joe · 20th August 2003, 03:50 PM

Ewan's da man
I got shown the technique by my drum teacher a few months back but i found it really hard. Been trying like fuck to no avail.
You also need to sit pretty close to your kit (well closer than i would normally sit) like with your knee pretty much directly above your ankle.

Bobsy · 21st August 2003, 11:28 AM

I'll give it a shot altho my bass pedal is actually at my mates house (couldnt be bothered taking it home after a gig on saturday, i know its terrible) Unfortunately i too have size 12 feet but luckily i doubt i'll ever need to go faster than say arch enemy speed (which i can get up to now, just missing a lot of power) and i also have a big dick cos of this so it aint too bad

24th July 2003, 04:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bobsy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 3,333 Band: Concurrence, Priveleged Girls After School Club	Tips For Double Bass Hi, i just got a double bass pedal (tama iron cobra powerglide to be exact) and its totally ace, im just wanting a few tips for it. I think the fastest i can play is leather rebel by proiest which aint all that fast plus im not briliant at it, does anyne have any tips on how to build up speed and how to keep on going? i find it easier to play quicker with my heels down so if anyone has any tips for that method then let me in on them please. Choyrs

24th July 2003, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Highlander Nice to see you... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 279	It's all about technique. Everybody is different. I use Iron Cobra also, but contrary to popular opinion, the pedals you use don't really matter as long as you oil them regularly. To get faster, as Pete says practice. I practice for several hours before practices and used to have regular 4 and 5 hour sessions that got me as fast as I am now. This has enabled me to get up to nearly enough any speed I want to although I still have a long way to go. Listen to a lot of Drummers also and you'll hear some excellent double bass patterns, sit down and give them a try but just remember to keep at it - it might take a frustratingly long time but practice always works! Once you get to a certain standard you'll also be able to use your pedal in your fills, if you can structure it without sounding messy it can sound class! I enjoy playing fills with my pedal and do it in nearly every song. Good Luck Mate! Last edited by EWAN kondemned : 24th July 2003 at 04:22 PM.

24th July 2003, 04:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
pedro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bonnie Dundee Posts: 430	in a word practice!!!! but i think many peoples techniques differ, when i play my heels never touch the pedals, double or single, i aint the fastest player at the mo but i can keep it going fo as long as i need, i feel that if u angle your feet very slightly left and right u get a rytham going, but hey could just be me.

25th July 2003, 11:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bobsy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 3,333 Band: Concurrence, Priveleged Girls After School Club	Today when i was playing i noticed that when i put my toes off the edge of the pedal, i get more power, or maybe it just felt like it. You reckon an hour a day is enough? my neighbour has a baby and i dont want to piss my parents off to much either so theres only an hour a day when i can practice. I play punk music with a bit of metal so i dont need to be super fast but it may make the drumming more interesting (and more fun to play) Cheers for the tips guys and keep em coming

26th July 2003, 06:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
pedro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bonnie Dundee Posts: 430	just practice as often as u can, every bit of time will help

27th July 2003, 04:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
pedro Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bonnie Dundee Posts: 430	yeah i angle my left pedal slightly, but i angle my feet anyway so doesnt really matter to me

27th July 2003, 05:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
Bobsy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 3,333 Band: Concurrence, Priveleged Girls After School Club	I decided i'd have a shot at playing heels up (which i did before i got my double bass) and i managed to play painkiller pretty much flawless, with a little bit of practice i'll be able to build up my strength and speed and be able to do really fast 16ths for minutes at a time. But i'll still be looking for advice, and if anyone has some cool tabs or anything then post them here.

18th August 2003, 02:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jamie The CFH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 839	yo yo, i'd have to agree with everyone else on this and say that the best way to improve your technique is practice (sorry if that seems obvious!), but the thing about the double bass pedal is that when you first start it's hard as shite and even with practice it takes a good wee while before noticing any improvement in the slightest, but trust me - just keep practicing. I think focusing on speed is not a good way of practicing - precision and consistancy are most important things - some people who are able to play fast as fuck can't play at a consistant volume at slower speeds, which ultimately is the most important thing - keeping the beat consistant. a good learner for double bass is "Domination" by Pantera. It's tempo is absolutely perfect. It's not too fast and not too slow so if you practice with that it'll build up your consistancy and precision. as for technique, i reckon you should just try to find your own because everyone is slightly differant. Personally i use the same "no heels" techinque as Pedro, i just find it the easiest and most comfortable way to do it. I'm not as "fast" as alot of people who use the double bass pedal, but i've tried to get as consistant as possible and i pretty much never fuck up the stuff that i write - that Scud drummer's bloody fast though!!!! He's a great drummer! I think the fasted i can do a basic double pedal beat is at the tempo of the double bass fills in "fucking Hostile", by Pantera. I get really sloppy if i go any faster than that. It amazes me how fast some drummers can get with their legs, fucking mad! right, i hope the advice from all these drummers has been helpful - practice!!!!

18th August 2003, 03:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Afro Joe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 7,272	I'm not good at double kick at all, it's cos i dont have one of my own i guess I'm curious, has anyone ever tried doing the heel-toe technique on both bass pedals to get it even faster? Not that speed is the most important thing (as Jamie said) but just incase you did need it

18th August 2003, 03:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jamie The CFH Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 839	that'd be mad - i'd well be up for that (if only i could do the heel toe thing!) joe, work with what ye'v got! i dinnae hae a pedal either! just airdrum for practice, it's just as effective for getting the technique.

19th August 2003, 10:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bobsy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 3,333 Band: Concurrence, Priveleged Girls After School Club	Could someone explain the heal toe method to me please?

20th August 2003, 03:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
Highlander Nice to see you... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bonnie Scotland Posts: 279	Heel-Toe is a Double Bass technique created by Tim Waterson, who for those who don't know is the fastest double bass percussionist in the world, managing to reach 1407 double bass beats in 60 seconds at the last WFD (Worlds Fastest Drummer) festival. For more information you can check him out at www.drumcanman.com Anyway, this technique is really only viable for people with wee feet. I am a size 12 and have tried it several times to no avail, so I use the heels up technique. Basically, the idea is that you use your toes to manouvre the front of the pedal then let your heel drop onto the bottom end of the pedal enabling you to get two beats for the price of one. Sonor brought out a Twin Effects Pedal for this specific technique. There is two beaters on the one pedal. The toe-end manouvres one of the beaters, the heal end manouvres the other - Sonor Twin Effect Pedal This might give you some more information on the heel-toe technique - Tim Waterson Interview - I first heard about heel-toe in an Interview with Tim around two years ago. This one is much more up-to-date. Good Luck.

20th August 2003, 03:50 PM	#14 (permalink)
Afro Joe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 7,272	Ewan's da man I got shown the technique by my drum teacher a few months back but i found it really hard. Been trying like fuck to no avail. You also need to sit pretty close to your kit (well closer than i would normally sit) like with your knee pretty much directly above your ankle.

21st August 2003, 11:28 AM	#15 (permalink)
Bobsy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Glasgow Posts: 3,333 Band: Concurrence, Priveleged Girls After School Club	I'll give it a shot altho my bass pedal is actually at my mates house (couldnt be bothered taking it home after a gig on saturday, i know its terrible) Unfortunately i too have size 12 feet but luckily i doubt i'll ever need to go faster than say arch enemy speed (which i can get up to now, just missing a lot of power) and i also have a big dick cos of this so it aint too bad