Floating Double Bass Technique Explained
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- Опубліковано 31 сер 2011
- Please consider purchasing my books in the Double Bass Drumming Explained series at BloomDrums.com/ebook.html or at your favorite ebook retailer. As requested, this is a companion video to my heel up/floating technique video • heel up/floating doubl... . there is a follow up video with exercises to help you here: • Floating Double Bass T... See my video on what muscles to use and how to use them here • Bass Drumming Muscles ...
FYI this is not the same as regular heel up playing, this is not just twitching my leg around, this is very loud and and suitable for high speeds AND high volumes, and this is more practical for rock and metal applications than any form of double strokes that I have ever heard of. This is not the only way to play, nor am I really dissing any other style... BUT I am saying this works really well, its really versatile, and it is consistent with the way that some of the fastest and most highly regarded drummers in the world play single strokes. So, enjoy!
[edit 12-1-11] I have just been informed by another user that this can also be referred to as "Flat Foot" technique. So, if you prefer that, by all means think of it that way.
for more on me and my playing visit bloomdrums.com
Ryan - just got a hard copy of your latest book. The combo of nuanced text description and the videos are a great 1-2 combo. Breaking this stuff down so that a person can really understand it - and make it repeatable is key. Thanks!
J Phifer glad to be of help. Enjoy the book and let me know if you have any questions.
gotta love those feet
mm so frickin fresh
Dude, thank you for explaining this in better detail. So many drummers gloss over such important details like seat height, foot position, and how technique changes due to speed.
no problem. I noticed that too and wanted to make sure the actual important aspects were covered.
@The Truth of the Matter how’s your life going since this comment?
Amazing. I've been struggling for at least half a year to get this. But after I watched this video I got it right away. Huge thanks!
Everyone keep saying just dont touch your pedals with your heels and play. İ can't find a video which shows the feet motion untill i found you thank you so much for this video it helped me a lot
You play better than jay
Watsup joey, I miss you 🥺
joey aren't you one of the best drummers of all time why are you watching this
@UCM0SvH6ob4zzqt942cQFGEA that's not the real joey you moron lol
OMG YOU DIED TODAY NOO JOEYY WHY DID U DIE
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I've basically came to the same technique over the years of watching other drummers, playing and experimenting, but it's always useful to see one more confirmation of your thoughts.
I've been playing floating DB for a couple of years now and I definitely swear by it.
I didn't know mordecai from the regular show was a drummer.
He does sound like him. 😱😱
+Rainald Macaranas :D
I didn't know he had human feet
I can't unhear it.
lol
I loved the way you articulated how to do this! I'm going to try it, even though my size 12 feet don't exactly fit very well on my DW 9000's. I know it's going to take a lot of practice, but I'll give it a go.Thanks man!!!
Good stuff. You're one of my favorite you tube instructors.
Thank you for the informative vid, I've only been practicing for about 6 months so I have plenty to learn. But this is probably one of the best videos I have found talking about technique.
Awesome! This is the first video I have seen that directly approaches kick drum pedal technique. Thank you, sir.
My friend this video is THE BEST explainational video that I have found on UA-cam on this topic of this particular bass drum technique thus far to help me get a better understanding of just what the hell I've been doing or trying to do and thinking that I was doing something when I was really doing nothing and getting nowhere. Thank you for this video. Now I can start practicing properly.
Finally - a drum video that ACTIALLY breaks down technique! Well done and BIG thanks!
Dude!!! You got some mad skilz. I got bad nerve damage from a wreck I was in a few years ago. I can get a bit more outta my dbl base now from this. Thanks. I been tryin to do anything I could think of. Just didn't really break it down this far.
I just want to thank you using your video and practicing i literally took about two hours and im flying on double base with clean even strokes that sound awesome and without getting tired I have been trying to get this for about a month or two and two hours after your video i got it thank you so much
HELPED ME A TON!
Im using a pair of single-chained DW 2000'S
all i did was adjust the spring tension, and i went from about165 BPM to about a solid 200 or so BPM by just following this technique for 10 minutes! i KNEW something had to be wrong with the tension!
Thank you man...you said something I already notice in any case....I´m having problem playing double base with the ankles, and my conclussion is it´s the only way you can reach high speeds.....so as you said, playing with the legs is perfect until certain speed......with my ankles again...it´s still very tough, but I must continue practicing
Thanks for the video dude. Been playing drums for 10 years, only just recently decided to buy a bass pedal cuz im trying to play to some killswitch songs and it feels so weird at the moment. This video helped though
Nigel Farage you didnt have a bass pedal....for 10 years????
Nigel Farage no bass pedal for 10 years? Lol
much appreciated best cut and dry vid out there on technique i've seen so far
Great explanation! I FINALLY got this technique down after years of trial and error. One thing that helped me was to tap my heels on the ground with every stroke (Jason Bittner). Another thing if you don't mind me adding is to relax your muscles. They should not be super tense. And use the rebound of the head to help your next stroke. The harder the ankle stroke, the harder the beater will hit the head, and the better rebound you will get. Start as slow as you can go using your ankle muscles.
I have flat bass pedal heads and ive used rounded ones and theve seemed to work better when it comes to this video. Your videos are very helpfull btw.
I know the video's old...but this is the way I play. Good to know someone else plays the way I do.... A belated thanks for the video Ryan...
thank you very much for your quick answer, actually I tried your technique today and it worked pretty good with a single foot, I'll now try on my left foot. thanks again
thanks man. i play metal and ive been really stuck with my speed. i know that Jason Rullo from Symphony X plays this way and i always wanted to cover and play as he does. youve made it alot easier to do it. legendm thanks again!
that was it, i was doing pretty fast and accurate double bass with the technique you first showed, it was what i was doing for years, but seriously once you get floating double bass down its like your putting in 15% effort for fast double bass. Thanks a lot
i can't do double bass near that fast, however i wanted to say i totaly agree about never removing your foot from the pedal and slapping the pedal, when i first started i did that and it would actualy cause me to miss beats. great vid man, awsome technique, props on your speed man!!!
Ive always loved this technique. This came natural to me
I've always been curious about how to play drums. Thank gosh all you "guys" are uploading!!! :)
I didn't know this kind of a thing even existed! COOL! Thank you:)
BOP
I love that approach personally. I cannot do the sliding foot method, due to a really bad ankle injury. Your method is the one I use. You can really get to hauling ass, without a bunch of wasted motion. Thanks for the video. Really well done, easy to understand!
Dude. Thanks for the Vid this helps clear up a lot of questions I've had.
This actually cleared up a lot of things for me, thank you!
Nicely explained! Helped me out a lot. Thanks!
Thanx 4 the tip!!! If u use shoes that have cushioning inside you can use your heel and create a heel toe method that will give you doubles. I had it a few times where when I was getting triplets on my right foot with this heel toe method and keep your foot straight....Idk what was done but, I'm trying 2 figure out how. I think it has to do with the angle of the bass drum....& time 2 play which I don't have a place to.... Good Luck!!!
Great video, I hope I get to try it out sometime. The funny thing is, I just got done watching Dave Weckl's instructional dvd and its remarkable to me how much you sound like him, your tone is just a little lighter.
wow, sums it up pretty nicely. this technique came almost naturally to me when i picked up double petal, after 7 and a half years i prefer single for the most part but usually using the floating foot on single also
i could be mistaken but are you using iron cobras?
Thank you. I'm a classic rock drummer. Thanx for reaching out to all drummers out here
Nice video. I've been using the heel toe method, but I don't think it sounds nearly as clear or powerful as this technique. Good job!
what make is your practise pad please, and a great video thanks it helped me a lot
I’ve advanced weeks just by learning from from one of your videos! Thank you sir 🤘🏻😎🥁
Nice technique! I'll have to work on this next time I'm behind a kit.
Right on,thanks alot for this vid.!I rock direct drive,but this vid teaches me alot.I knew Dave McKlain(Machinehead,Drummer).
Excellent. Nice to see a tutorial where the teacher explains what to do rather than just doing it himself & saying 'there you go, just do that'.
I have a question. This seems pretty straightforward, & I can get the hang of the actual motion, and if I do it with each individual foot, I can get it tight & incorporate it into beats, but when I try to put both feet together Im constantly flamming. Do you have any tips/exercises to develop more accuracy with this?
I know this as the Flat foot technique, but Floating sounds kool too :) you give an awesome explanation ! Thx !
Very informative. Thanks for posting!!
best video on this techique yet that you so much!!
Excellent training vid. Thank you. (crazy speed too)
I have a bit of a general question.
I've been playing for about 3 years and the first time I played on double pedals I was able to play 16th notes at around 150bpm and play most of my favourite songs. I bought my own pedals and barley peaked 120bpm. I tried everything to improve but I never got near the speed I was at the first time I played. I tweaked every setting and even went as far as replacing barings on the pedals, I also tried to learn numerous techniques but nothing worked, considering when I first played double pedals I was able to reach much faster speeds with little to no knowledge on foot technique. So I blamed it on the pedals.
I tried out some pearl eliminators at a local music shop a couple weeks back and I was able to play much much faster and more comfortable than my last pedals, just like the first time I played double pedals, so of course I bought them. At a band rehersal the next day I was still able to play these speeds and I thought I finally figured out my double pedal problem. The next day I set them up on my own kit and I felt like I was playing on the old pedals again, I felt uncomfortable using the pedals (still on the same settings) and barley able to play past 120bpm.
I'm not sure if this is a mental block or something to do with the setup of my kit but if you have any tips on my situation or could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it because I'm very confused about it and even though I do practise, it does not make sense how I know Ive reached higher speeds before on the same pedals, but now I simply cant
Paul Gleeson that’s a bit strange. My first thought is to blame your bass drum head since that appears to be the only variable... but that really doesn’t make sense for a 30bpm difference. So, more realistically it’s you and nothing to do with the gear. Something about the way you play is either very erratic and not easily repeatable or it has to do with your muscles failing you. It could be that when you play fast you are in peak warmed up stretched and ready condition, maybe by accident, and when you play slow you are cold, tired, cramped or otherwise impaired, again by accident or chance. Just a guess of course. Or maybe it is mental. Without seeing you play I can’t actually be very helpful.
This video has helped alot with my playing Is there any patterns i should practice i do rrll paradidlles is there s
Hey, thank you a lot for sharing this. I've been looking for an explanation like yours for long time. I think this is the technique of Alex Rudinger and Anup Sastry, am I right? Thank you!
Thanks, that was really helpful. Ive been trying to find some better techniques to play the double bass beat at the beginning of "A Nightmare to Remember - Dream Theater" because the technique i was using before i wasnt keeping a steady beat, id get off beat or i wouldnt hit some of the notes or my calf would often cramp up. This seems to work much better and now i can play the song easy. Thanks.
Excellent, I like it! What I've always done wrong is put the balls of my feet too far back on the pedals, which gives great punching power for loudness, but slows you down. I needed this lesson!
Install toe clips, and push your feet/toes up to them. Practice that for a few months and you'll never had that problem again.
It takes some getting used to, so don't expect it to work until you put in the time and effort.
The result will be being able to do what is in this video, and faster speed. You might even find your whole drumming will improve because you'll have better balance as well.
***** I like the toe stop thingies, personally. I leave them on and it works out really well for me, especially when swiveling. I don't always go all the way up to them because the sweet spot of most pedals (where you get the most volume for the least effort) is farther back than the toe stops would automatically put your feet. But its a good thing to have on there for sure.
Thanks! Really good demonstration!
I agree with you agreeing with me, and I am glad to hear my video helped.
Hey Ryan, You Help me up Really good!! Thanks, I appreciate it pal.
Any thing else im looking for a good practice routine with double base with a good groove to play with hands im playing drums for over 15 years only playing double base about a month or so any advice on a practice book or exercises to use
Awesome video man, it helped a lot! On a side note, how do you get your left pedal for your double bass pedal to stay there? When I'm playing, it tends to move away from me?
I love you. Thank for being my hero today.
Well I have a pretty good sound from my base and I like it the way I have it (Tight but still low sounding.) I understand your point. I think I'll tighten them up a bit, but not as much as you said, cause I like my head tight and I don't want a ton of rebound from tightening the pedals up so much.
thanks for sharing your knowledges
thanks dude, this helped me alot!
Thanks a lot for your reply! So are you suggesting not tightening the clamp onto the kd8? The problem I'm having is that the clamp slips off the kd8 base due to the bump on the edge of the kd8.
I never knew how it worked... Thanks man
Great video thanks for the explanation
awesome!! which muscle do you mostly use?
Thank you for showing your technique barefoot. It added a dynamic not realized before during demonstration.
Hi are you using a iron cobra? I have trouble attaching the iron cobra to the kd-8. Any tips? Thanks much!
So I have to start to work slowly before accelerating ? (thanks for the answer ! )
Good tutorial. I have a question... what tension are you using?
When your double bassing at slower and medium tempos are you mixing leg and ankle together or just leg motion? For example raining blood by slayer. That double bass tempo
nice! you are right, it always takes time to develop anything. nothing is a free ticket to awesomeness.
I have been playing old school ankle up for years for power, highest tempo l gotten is 190 BMP. I will try working on this technique ! Thanks.
I enjoyed this FOOTage
Hi Ryan!
Question here... how do you adjust your seat height? I've practicing and I noticed that, the highest the seat, the better control you have; worth mentioning, your muscles are less tense and relaxed, way better to control the feet movement. Have you experienced that as well?
Regards!
Thanks for this! it helped ALOT!!
my speed improved by about 15 %
Thanks. How tight are you talking for spring tension? I have mine at kinda medium... is yours all the way tight?
Wow! Pretty awesome vid!
This was very helpful. Thank u!!!
@ryukintakeda Yeah its the lighting and the quality. makes your legs look pretty and smooth
@ryukintakeda i concururur, normally he plays singles yes, but as he explains on his dvd, he does use floating technique for really fast parts
I use the Pearl Demon Drives, total different set up than that, but I essentially use the same technique, just have my spring tension virtually 0, all the heavy set ups on the longboard settings, and it works fine. Really it's just finding your own way to suit you, but this is a great place to start.
Great lesson, man. :)
when your playing the floating action, how would you be sitting? like when i try it out i would have to sit up straight and stiff back, any other ways?
@ryukintakeda thanks. and how fast can you go with this? bpm for 16th notes.
what are the settings on the peddal? like the beaters and the pedal heights? and spring tension?
helpful vid, but when i trie playing fast my ankles lock up and my legs do too, any advice? btw how long does it take too get that good?
I have/had the same. Solved it by exercise my feet (first slowly) "left, right, left, ... right, left, right, ..." When you know this one with the feet, less flamming occurs. It is also a very good exercise for the next step with the feet, the paradiddle.
Good job! I like that lesson.
I really wish I could do this. I've worked really hard on it but it just won't work like your doing. I don't know if its the tightness f the bass drum or the kind of pedal I'm using, but I just can't get it to go very fast at all. Advice needed**
Im have trouble getting the basic motion of double bass al together, Im good for a few seconds than its like im shivering with no control just at a slow speed...any tips that could help me???? thanks
Excellent video. I'm showing this to all my double bass player friends :P
very nice i do somesthing completely different and use a 24 bass drum and the mallet hits the head twice and i use both at the same time and alternating the ball and heal its way harder to learn. the head on the drum has to be low tuned and the mallets have to bounce to double stroke the leftheal leftball rightheal right ball. this is much faster but hard to control i like yours better...
Do you use leg or ankle on around 140-160 bpm
my legs (knees upwards) start to ache alot when i use the heal up technique. i dont know why and i really want to start by playing heal up as heal down it is harder to build up your speed. any suggestions? thanks
Err, I play heels down, and I haven't noticed any issues getting power into the kick yet at 180bpm. I think it's more a matter of finding what spring tension works best for how you like to play.
@The199775
Just keep doing the left-right-left-right.. And like when you start learning how to play drums. Slowly add the right and left hands. I started out by doing it without the drums, just to get the feeling of it, and then afterwards moved on to doing with the drums.
Hey My question is with this kind of heel up playing do you have your springs tighter? ie. it takes more force to move the pedal- Yes? I would think you would want more resistance because you're actually using gravity and the weight of your leg to some extent--- am I correct or off base? thanks
Yeah I would agree with that. I think you are on the right track. I have a video on spring tension on my channel if you want my full opinion.
Tight spring tension? And does a different pedal favor this technique?
Do you have a practice routine to get that fast with the Floating Techique ?
can you explain to me how you installed your roland kd-8 on your carpet so it doesn't slip anymore? thx
What is your spring tension on both your pedals then? I would assume since your playing heels up with more balance you may need it a little tight?