I play the drums and I don't know how I want to play my Pedal, heel down or heel up with has more speed?
2007-01-15 13:07:31 · 6 answers · asked by awsomdrummer 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
Heel up has speed advantages as well as more control and power. The only time you should play heel down is A) to play softer or the very rarely required B) to finish a song when you get a cramp (believe me that sucks!)
2007-01-16 19:47:09 · answer #1 · answered by Dan J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are as number of techniques to build speed in your feet for fast bass drum pedal work. The one I employ is something I got from Dave Lombardo of Slayer. Bring your foot back to the very front of the pedal and have your springs quite tight. This way you can use the re-bound and "bounce" your way through your grooves. This is heel up obviously.
Heel up is better for control and velocity. Velocity is very important with your bass as it is with the rest of your kit. It's easy to put your heels down and play simply as physically as fast as you can but try bringing that back a tiny bit and play a few beats slower and the whole thing will fall apart. Another bass drum technique is to twist your foot on your pedal. You twist your foot from inwards to outwards, kind of like a L to R feel. Not very easy to describe but if you watch Vinnie Paul of Pantera he uses this.
One of the best things I ever did was get some instructional DVDs and VHS tapes of other famous drummers. There are ones specifically dealing with bass drum technique. And they have "foot cams" that show you exactly what they are doing.
Please remember that speed is not always better. With drumming it's all about the groove and what suits the music best.
Good luck with your drumming dude. Hope I helped you.
2007-01-15 21:23:31 · answer #2 · answered by Next evolutionary step... 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Heel up has more speed by far if u noe how 2 use it, but if ur startin off i recommend heel down
2007-01-15 21:12:42 · answer #3 · answered by DaMaggot2542 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always played heel up....never had a problem.
2007-01-15 21:13:56 · answer #4 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
heel up - it gives you a better pivet point and more power.
2007-01-15 21:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by jfoxie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ur prefereance there is no power and speed difference.
Watd u do when u started out and stick to it, hard to learn other way.
Rocking ur foot forward and back to the beat is wat i do
2007-01-15 21:17:18 · answer #6 · answered by matteson 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋