BY TIGER BILL MELIGARI
For the last couple of months we’ve worked on footwork combinations for single bass and double bass. This time, we’ll add a technique that I use to easily play high-speed runs using a single foot. It’s called the heel-toe technique and once you develop it, you will be able to play incredibly fast and intricate patterns, including double stroke rolls, while remaining totally relaxed and tension free.
Watch my video demo. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t play the heel-toe technique smoothly right away. It takes quite a while to build the proper muscles not to mention the muscle memory needed in your feet and legs. Take your time and, eventually, you’ll be playing double stroke rolls similar to what you see in the video at speeds well over 1,000 bpm.
Practice Key
1. Use the heel-toe technique to practice the above exercise with each foot separately.
2. Play a heel stroke for every written H and a toe stroke for every written T.
3. Start very slowly and increase your speed only after your control increases.
More Cool Stuff To Come!
I have concentrated on foot technique for the past few lessons in the hopes that you will devote at least a portion of your workout to developing killer feet! Remember, regular daily practice is the key to developing any advanced technique. Once it becomes part of your muscle memory, the technique becomes part of you and will literally play itself!
For more on Tension Free Drumming, please visithttp://www.TensionFreeDrumming.com.
Stay loose!