Heel Down is Better Than Heel Up...UNLESS

Рет қаралды 83,058

5 жыл бұрын

Heel down is indeed better…as long as you have your throne adjusted THIS way. Otherwise you may want to consider switching to heel up. The point today is that ergonomics and throne height should actually determine the technique you use on the kick drum. This is actually at the core of what creates our “natural preference” toward one technique or the other. A foot technique video would not be complete without some talk of heel-toe, so we cover that too. I demonstrate my “heel-down” variation of heel-toe, showing some groove and fill examples with fast kick drum doubles. We finish by watching slow motion footage of the foot technique so you can get a clear idea of what I’m doing. Whether or not you choose to copy any of my technique doesn’t matter to me, but if it helps - it helps. :) Most importantly, find what works for YOU, based on how you play and how you have your kit set up.
Thanks again to the folks at Griffin Drum Hardware for partnering with me today on this video! I’ve really enjoyed testing our their kick pedals, and I’ve been excited to show these to you guys. Be sure to check out Griffin’s full line of products here on their website.
Griffin’s Full Line of Products:
www.griffin-stands.com
Griffin Single Kick Pedal Model P200 Available at:
www.acedivisioninc.com/Single...
www.amazon.com/dp/B004THBKUO
reverb.com/item/18026522
www.ebay.com/itm/381261068589
Griffin Double Kick Drum Pedal Model P1000 Available at:
www.acedivisioninc.com/Double...
www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW9BH6V
reverb.com/item/18026486
www.ebay.com/itm/311360756989
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Пікірлер: 178

@lt.branwulfram4794 3 жыл бұрын

5’3’ short Asian at 19 years old, playing heel up. I started off heel down and my calves started to ache after a while. I also got into drumming through metal music, so heel up has always felt natural.

@BrianTCarter 5 жыл бұрын

Great stuff Stephen. I am a pro of almost 30 years now and this is always been something I’ve gone back-and-forth on. I’m a tall guy and I’m gonna go back to strictly heel down for a while, work on the tension and footboard height and all that on my pedal.

@kschantz 4 жыл бұрын

I'm glad you mentioned your height. I'm 6'3" also, so your tactics and techniques will definitely help me develop my strategy.

@chrisdulinski8887 5 жыл бұрын

Good info Heads up, your kick drum is sliding.

@FacsTwo 5 жыл бұрын

It's drifting away towards infinity

@Garthritis 3 жыл бұрын

Those must be some stinky feet.

@genewilliams617 5 жыл бұрын

That was good Stephan. You're always informative. Nice bass drum pattern. I'm a shorter person, at 5'6", and played low in the beginning (playing kit in 1962). Back then it was a technic called "horizontal thighs". Short drummers played low, tall drummers played higher. Partially because it seems easier with less restriction on the legs, I think. Playing with a horn band in 69 and discovered the "back brace" & my bass drum speed exploded. Set in at a jam night and the house drummers kit was high, so rather than shift everything, I just played it higher. Oddly enough it worked well. My stool at the time didn't allow much height, so it was a slow graduation. About 20 years ago I came across an older DW one piece pedal with a wood beater in a pawn shop for $20. The horizontal foot board was clumsy at first and harder to get used to, but crazy fast. Was introduced to "Duraline" heads(which don't exist anymore), and didn't need a pad for my bass drum head. 5 years and the beater never went thru. Anyway, I tend to play fast songs heal up and slow songs heal down for better control. Your videos are good. Hope you can keep them coming..

@jeffatkins8103 3 жыл бұрын

With the kick drum sliding away you can play heel down first and then go into heel up as it slides further away! Nice tip!

@mlj6293 5 жыл бұрын

great teaching on your vids, really helpful. enjoy your channel very much. thank you

@rogerl3193 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your videos but especially this one! It answered some questions I had.

@basicPROcreator 11 ай бұрын

Thank you so much. Now I feel comfortable kicking the doubles.!

@cypherredux2771 5 жыл бұрын

5'4 I sit high and close, heal up was not my original technique, so glad I switched!

@octobermusic1829 3 жыл бұрын

Hey man, thanks for helping me to chosing the techique! Cause I'm really lost in this before this video. Thank you again!

@adamrosefire 2 жыл бұрын

This is the first video I should have watched about this!

@way2stoned4u 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. I was searching for a answer to my own thoughts on the subject, and I agree fully with you. Although I didn't really get any closer to finding out how I should play. Turns out I have to experiment more by my self.. thank you :)

@brucebrentz476 2 жыл бұрын

I just saw your video the other day and I tried it regarding heel up, heel down it's making a big difference. Thank you so much I'm ready to go on tour now. Lol!!!

@rhythmantic 5 жыл бұрын

Nice drum and kick fills

@derekmartin518 5 жыл бұрын

I've always played heel up, and I'm 6'2". I'm self-taught, and when I was first starting out, I thought that playing heel down was wrong. But I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

@midnighthymn 4 жыл бұрын

I'm 6'3 as well and playing just a tad bit on the higher side helps me maximize by mobility when playing double bass. Thanks!

@elidenning6276 5 жыл бұрын

griffin made the cheapest snare on amazon that was in rdavidr's video

@elidenning6276 5 жыл бұрын

@Andrew who knew? plus, what the heck does that have to do with anything?

@JtJt-bg8rn 2 жыл бұрын

Awsome , easy to understand, fantastic 🤩🙏🏆

@Chrisb286 5 жыл бұрын

Priceless advice as always. Thank you for helping me to improve.

@tacpmike6017 5 жыл бұрын

I noticed that kick creeping on you a little.

@SparkyGT77 3 жыл бұрын

Great to find a video about playing heel down and stool height! Great information, thanks Stephen. I’m only 5’10” and mainly play heel down, I find I have more control of the pedal and just find heel up unnatural, but that’s just me personally.

@Fucklesticks 2 жыл бұрын

I learned to play heel up, but i found myself really struggling with fast beats because my leg would be tensed up, now trying heel down for the first time it feels amazing. I don't have the speed or volume dialed down yet but so much more control and consistency

@jabasto 5 жыл бұрын

Hey Stephen, I'm learning how to play drums seeing some videos here on KZfaq, including your videos. You show very well the drum techniques, like the heel toe technique. I notice in the videos that you play the drum pedals without shoes. Do you think that it's better playing drums without shoes? Do you recommend it?

@littlebear2477 5 жыл бұрын

Definitely noticed how much throne height makes all the difference !

@Pikktryne 5 жыл бұрын

I use both... being a really short guy i have my throne a bit higher than most it seems. I am a lefty and therefore play openhanded and right-footed and so can't efficiently reach my hi-hat pedal but as i am mostly a metal drummer i have resorted to only doublepedals and instead focusing alot on making accents on the hi-hat with my hands only, and over the years i really think i have made up for it quite well even when playing stuff where the hi-hat should open just with my hand though, that is not the point here just why i only use double pedals. But by using only double pedals and the first technique i learned and still use all the time being heel-toe, i find it really important to have mastered both heel up and down. Heel down for softer more relaxed or progressively hard sections. Heel up for faster sections really only when i move up to 16's or 32's on the bass drums. this makes me abke to play smooth, nice and calm while still being able to reach high speeds and maintain the dynamics of my hits really well. (hard/soft hits) Really for me, it doesn't matter how wierd the setup or style gets. whatever you need to do, just do it. and my most important secret to getting better, learning to play with both my wrong hand and foot as the main one.

@giovannisugonatoli 5 жыл бұрын

always good your videos

@erikziak1249 5 жыл бұрын

I started to play heel up because my foot did not get tired as soon as with heel down. Also, I have a better precision when playing with heel up, but less control over the volume. Playing heel down in silent parts of the song is more natural, but if I need to play precisely three short beats, I do not play them that confident. I have a tradeoff between dynamics and precision. I sit rather very close to the BD, and at a moderate height. I am 185 cm tall. I tried a couple of pedals, but they did not make that much difference. The beater however, is more important. I use a Vater Vintage Bomber.

@mattmarlow4166 5 жыл бұрын

Really really helpful video. I've been playing heel up for 23 years and I've started making the shift to heel down as now doing fast rolling kick stuff 220 bpm etc and heel down feels more comfortable for higher speeds. It's take a lot of practice and I've got a way to go still but yes height Vs distance is really really crucial

@christee299 5 жыл бұрын

When doing higher speeds do you feel that you have more control with heel down?

@mattmarlow4166 5 жыл бұрын

@@christee299 yes I do strangely. I admit too that I have now resorted to using a trigger for very high speeds as heel down in feel more comfortable but the power is far less. I hope in a year or so I won't need it as much but a lot of the speed metal genre use triggers for 200plus bpm. I tried swivel and heel up but just couldn't get comfortable

@PoeticWeasel 3 жыл бұрын

Only 5'9 and I've always felt heel down to be more natural, trying to work on heel up but i feel i get more control and speed heel down

@edwarddanilzadeh 4 жыл бұрын

great video

@oobernoober7617 4 жыл бұрын

I'm 14 and I'm 5'8 which is pretty tall for my age. My throne is not super high up but it's at a point where if I were to sit naturally it's comfortable, like on a normal chair. For me at that hieght heel down just feels so good because It's so natural, im not wearing out my entire leg, I get a great range of motion with my ankle and it's easy to play doubles for me.

@matthewallegretto6702 5 жыл бұрын

Like the video's but would be better w/o out all the background drums & noise! Hard to hear what you are saying sometimes with your deep voice & all the background noise. I 'm 6'3" learned heel down when I started drums, found out in February 2019 about Cobus method, I've been practicing his heel up "slide" & heel down (heel/toe) technique, the heel/toe is amazingly simple! Stephen, What is your opinion on the Griffin P1000 doulble pedal compared w/DW 3000, & the PDP 502 500 pedal? Other than the lower $ amount, is there any significant differences? Please reply, thx

@Chiroman527 4 жыл бұрын

Great Info and Topic Steve. I have back problems that affect my leg mobility. I play (if that's what we can call it :):) ) with Heel down, That's how I started 50 years ago [I'm 68 now]. Took a 50 Hiatus from playing drums , which is a great pastime and fun "hobby". Because of my leg issues, I actually could play a Heel pedal probably Faster than the typical pedal. Is there such an Animal out there? A Pedal that can be played by your heel?

@alexjinnette3128 4 жыл бұрын

I started playing when I was in second grade and I only played heel up and I played until 7th grade when I quit. Picked drums back up over quarentine (now as a 5’11 kid) and at first I was playing w heel up naturally, but now I’m wrestling with the idea; I like having a low seat so should I just keep my seat low and learn heel down or should I raise my seat and get used to that.

@ChristopherSackett 5 жыл бұрын

You should make a video discussing the old Zildjian A's and the redesigned Zildjian A's

@smoreshaunted 5 жыл бұрын

The Griffin's look like this brand of pedals called Vex that I purchased from eBay. They were my first double pedals for around 89 bucks in 2005! Also I play heel up probably cause I'm a short guy, but your heel toe technique makes me wanna reconsider and do both!

@mikesperling9878 5 жыл бұрын

Same music progression here. XD even the thing with the stool. :D

@Nofxthepirate 5 жыл бұрын

I played heel up for a long time because I just sat on a low-ish chair to play, once I got an actual throne I raised it to the max height and now I play almost exclusively heel up. It really is that simple sometimes.

@joshuajosiahcolumbus 5 жыл бұрын

I don’t use either heel up or heel down, I think they’re both awkward. Heel middle is where I’m at. I sit with my legs parallel to the floor. I keep my foot boards at a steep angle and I get my doubles, triples, etc. by throwing my foot into the footboards. My heel isn’t up, it’s usually angled down but it never rests on the base plates. Heel down as far as I can tell is good for playing quiet but not fast or loud. You can’t get into the sweet spot (similar to the fulcrum) playing heel down. Additionally I have found the heel toe technique for playing quick doubles is one of the most difficult to master, so if I play heel down I use a different technique for quick notes where my heel never leaves the base plate, this works well at the volumes and tempos associated with heel down. Playing heel down is good to work your anterior muscles but I have found playing with the heel off the base plate and practicing controlling a fulcrum point on the pedal at varying dynamics and speeds to be the most useful. Sitting and playing in this way I have found, is quite advantageous for both speed and power as well as control and tends be quite flexible allowing you to play fast and loud as well as slow and quiet or even fast and quiet.

@user-tz6jl7qt8k 5 жыл бұрын

heel middle? Your heel is either off or on the pedal. I think you mean that you don't put your heel that high off the pedal haha

@frostedcornflakes 5 жыл бұрын

That’s def heel up

@ryanb1874 4 жыл бұрын

SO if your heel isn't on the base plate, and your heel down, are you just sliding your foot up, so you 're entire shoe is covering the foot board, without the heel resting on the base plate? Sorry to be a nerd but I'm anxious for answeres since I M at a low point in life , without a place to put a kit, so cannot practice, so just KZfaq nerdy ness...

@kevinfrazee7690 4 жыл бұрын

It's interesting we still come to the question of heel up or heel down much like traditional or matched. I can't imagine life with just one grip or strictly heel up or heel down. My technique uses a combination of both which creates for lack of better words a moller type technique. For example with doubles I'm using the front part of my foot while lifting the heel to drop and grab the second. In heel up it requires too much energy to sit in that position thus this gives the power while letting your heal rest in between

@calebmooneyham287 3 жыл бұрын

5'9'' - and I'm honestly kind of between the two. I do lean most toward heel up, using the front of my foot, but I usually let my heel drop when I kick. This is mostly because I try to let the weight of my leg push the pedal more than a "Step." More power, less work. also, I initially learned the heel-toe double technique (which is odd for a heel up guy, right?), but I use the toe slide if I want dynamic contrast. So I'm just all over the place.

@renjo12 2 жыл бұрын

I injured myself a long time ago. Anyways, my left leg got messed up. Are there any exercises you recommend, to strengthen my left leg, which is my hit hat pedal leg. Thanks, R3N

@cresk 5 жыл бұрын

I’m 6.3ft and sitting high always feels and looks a bit awkward. And I tend to use both heel up and down in combination. Most times heel down still feels best, except when I need fast kicks in a row heel up tends to be way faster.

@musamkhan 5 жыл бұрын

Superb. Great technique! Thanks for the solid advice.

@zarleymcalpine3131 2 жыл бұрын

I started heel down then went to heel up, but due left lower back and hip problem switching back to sitting lower and playing heel down with a bit of, maybe not heel up but using front of foot like here,trying to get speed up with this technique now.

@aaroneslinger7968 5 жыл бұрын

Looks like a heel-down version of the slide. I struggled for years and could never do it. Then I accidentally started doing heel toe. Then I got longboards and my giant feet were finally happy. -The End.

@samgodzwa7927 5 жыл бұрын

I’m about 6 feet tall, keep my throne fairly high and far back from my kit, and I play heel up.

@DrGray_Drummer 3 жыл бұрын

How loose do you keep your batter head?..Well, and reso for that matter? That plays a big part of how I play the pedal. Lol, I'm the same height as you, and used a folding chair.

@koolBOY8323 5 жыл бұрын

at 5' 10" on a good day, but with shorter arms, i play heel up but close to the snare. my snare is up higher than most, just below my belly button, and my toms go as low as possible, often with my 12 only about 1/4 inch off the top of my kick, just enough to where it won't hit when i play it. cymbals are low too, nothing above shoulder height at the wing nuts, and i play with 16.5" to 17" sticks. no one else ever plays my setups comfortably..

@xXdoodgraverXx 5 жыл бұрын

5:00 your kit is moving on those doubles

@Mikey49ers 5 жыл бұрын

05:14 every drummers favourite game.....chase the bass drum.

@carlosalbertogomez1391 5 жыл бұрын

On an important note:if you sit too high,you can get lower back problems and pain.i don't think sitting that high improves control.a good quality pedal and proper technique improves control.i used to sit higher in the past and that destroys my back,since you're pushing down with your legs and most of your back,and that's an unnatural way to make your body work.the throne height is deeply conected with your height and how long your legs and arms are.there's also how far you sit in your throne to the drumkit.sometimes you can make a substantial difference by moving things just a bit.sitting high??no thanks,i don't want to hurt my back.

@kaneblaireau4864 5 жыл бұрын

I learned heel down because the seat was too short. Now I've got my own kit, but my throne feels wobbly if I adjust any higher. I'm almost 6'6". I had started playing heel up a few years back, but I still get better speed heel down.

@dinospumoni5611 4 жыл бұрын

Couple questions/thoughts. What spring tension do you use? I find that very low spring tension makes heel down much more viable for me (normally a heel up player). With medium spring tension or higher, I don't really have the calf strength to push the beater with adequate control. My foot kind of "locks up" in heel down, even with low spring tension but less so. Almost like a twitch. Thoughts on burying the beater vs letting it bounce? This is another thing I think differs dramatically between heel up and heel down. Heel down I find that if I try to keep the beater pressed against the head on a stroke, I'll sometimes accidentally bounce it and make an unintended second stroke. Perhaps again calf strength/control related. I guess a similar factor here would be other pedal adjustments like beater head distance from the pedal, beater distance from the kick drum (i.e. angle) etc.

@BrianTCarter 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Dino, regarding the bouncing of the beater on the head, do you have a hole cut in your front bass drum head? If you cut a hole in there you’ll be able to bury the beater without it bouncing because the air will escape through the front head. Of course it depends on how tight you’re making your bass drum head and the tension of your pedal as well

@dinospumoni5611 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrianTCarter yeah I've noticed that as well w/ the porthole, I lately play on an electric kit so that's not really an option

@concertalleyrail 5 жыл бұрын

I found it much more easier to play heel up for better attack. Unless I’m doing ballads. For the rockers though heel up.😎

@stephenm.french8380 4 жыл бұрын

I started playing at age 8-9 in church and by the time I was 15, I was 6' 5". I've always had to lower the drum stool behind other drummers because it was simply too high as a heel down player. To your point, no one told me whether to play heel up or down at the age of 9. Heel down just felt more natural. As I got older, I realized that I didn't have as much power as guys who played heel up. I had more speed and finesse playing heel down and they had more power playing heel up. At the age of 21-22, I learned how to play heel up. To this day, I have more control playing heel down, but know I need heel up for certain types of music or songs. I'm 50 now.

@sainttotheO 3 жыл бұрын

Still young though ; )

@pl3637 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen trying to find the right throne height I am 6"4 been trying to find what feels natural .

@dpdrums1 4 жыл бұрын

How about spring tension for heel down... any thoughts?

@adammadtin8451 3 жыл бұрын

steve do you notice any noticeable volume difference with heel down?

@WilberWisdom 4 жыл бұрын

It takes more energy to play heel up than heel down because your leg's pivot point is your hip/leg socket and you're constantly expending energy in your upper leg to keep the heel up. You're also expending even more energy to play a bass drum accent as now you must lift your leg even higher to increase volume for that accent. Playing heel down requires less energy as now your ankle is the pivot point leaving your upper leg at rest. To play an accent you can now lift your leg to create that volume which also allows better dynamics for different volume levels. Just like the wrist is the natural pivot point between the arm and hand, the ankle is the natural pivot point between the leg and foot.

@jslater6425 5 жыл бұрын

I'm certainly no expert having just started playing drums a year ago, but i totally agree with Stephen here - Griffin pedals are great. I beat the living p!$$ out of mine and only 1 part has failed. The whatchamacallit that actually holds the beater snapped. I was so mad until i realized - IT STILL WORKS. It happened about 6 months ago and its still... um... kicking.😁 i literally play 2 to 4 even 6 hours a day sometimes. Everything from Michael Jackson and Prince to Metallica and Pantera. Ok i TRY to play something similar... the point is they take a real beating from me and still function just like they did the day i got them but faster since i've progressed amazingly fast (i think...). I love making music by hitting things! Sounds very aggro huh? Oh well...

@panikcustomcreations7116 5 ай бұрын

I have no background at all, I got a drum set a while back for a good deal at a pawn shop and haven't played that much because literally no position feels natural to me Is there any sort of "reverse pedal" where you play with your heels instead of your toes? When I'm not at a drum set and just bobbing to music, my toes stay planted, and I lift my heels up and down from the floor I feel like that would be the most ergonomic position for me, but I can find no such device Might as well ask a pro 🤷

@LADYJUSTICE50 3 жыл бұрын

I’m 5’1” tall so I already know I’ll be sitting close up because of my arms length. Heel up feels right & seems more natural. My S-I-L asked me how I was going to handle all the repetition using my foot pad? He said ‘you’re going to be lifting your foot completely off of the ground & bringing it back down again for each beat!’ I couldn’t understand why he thought I would consistently use the balls of my feet & not my heels or how he pictured lifting your foot completely off of the pedal. That would be very difficult for any beginner because you can’t stare down at the floor & ensur your foot makes it back to the exact same spot every time! 😱🤔. This was in response to my purchasing a double bass pedal. For one, I kept reading that beginners can benefit greatly because it eases the wear & response on your one foot & it’s better suited for heavy metal, hard rock music if your playing fast, hard driving beats. (I’m attempting to learn every Mötley Crüe Song in the Universe!!) And some Metallica too! ! Would it be beneficial to me to use this pedal based on my stature & lack of experience? I weigh 125 lbs if that matters. I honestly thought when you said it, that it made so much more sense! Please let me know if you can! Thank you so very much! I appreciate it ! 🤘🏼🤫💋

@AtTheSourceStudios 5 жыл бұрын

2019 new drumset year? Ya? 65k subs... It's time :)

@avgdrummer 5 жыл бұрын

Heh... this is a weird topic for me. Everyone in my genre(s) plays heel up. I play heel down... or used to. I started playing heel down for two reasons: 1) Holding my leg up seemed like a waste of energy. Yes, I did sit really high for a while too. 2) My first teacher was a jazz guy and he wasn't having any of that newfangled rock 'n' roll nonsense in his studio. I still prefer to play heel down, because I don't like holding my leg up, but I can't. For one, I had to start hitting harder and playing heel up gets you to that volume. The other reason is Achilles tendinitis. I can play heel down for a little bit, sometimes, but it will start to hurt quickly. I play somewhat neutral, in between the two positions, just so my heel doesn't slam on the footboard. But the driving motion and muscles used has to come from higher up in my leg, or it will hurt for days afterwards. As for the Griffin pedals, they look legit. My first double was a no-name brand and I went pretty long with it, and even upgraded it a bit. These are definitely nicer than some of the name brand models I've had. If you're strapped for cash, I wouldn't hesitate to grab on of these.

@RafikMankariosDrumStudio 5 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video and nice playing! Direct. To the point. No nonsense. Cheers from Montréal (Québec)!

@gaboogablah 5 жыл бұрын

I must be special, i can play heel up while sitting low without lifting my leg. Hmmm... I haven't seen anyone play heel down or flat footed since the early 60s bands. If you are playing basic simple slow beats, creedence or acdc you can get away with heel down, but if you're trying for intricacies or speed, heel up is the way to go. The smaller the contact area the quicker and easier to get the most reaction. Ball of the foot and toes.

@ricow2822 5 жыл бұрын

I can do that too...

@kschantz 4 жыл бұрын

When I first began playing, it felt natural to play heel up. The problem was I felt like I was in a "ready" position all the time, kind of like having your hands up in front of you and your fists balled up ready to fight. I was getting sore in my right glute and I felt like I was expending way too much energy maintaining the position of my leg. I found that I felt much more comfortable with my heel down, so I've developed a hybrid technique of playing with my heel down more than half of the time and raising my heel for doubles or more aggressive rhythms.

@ambroulard 4 жыл бұрын

Hang on,,, I get your descriptions of ergonomics-- however don’t you agree it’s a lot more difficult to play quietly with heel up no matter where your seat is???

@brockolea 5 жыл бұрын

i was wondering,how tall you were. I'm 6"4 and it took me a long time to find the perfect setting for my chair

@Garthritis 3 жыл бұрын

What do you use? My buddy who is learning drums with me is a tall bastard as well, 6' 4" or something. I am 5' 11, and my Roc n Soc throne is maxed out at my sweet spot.

@brockolea 3 жыл бұрын

T B it’s gonna sound weird but I’ve bought a chair at Ikea and it’s the perfect height

@Garthritis 3 жыл бұрын

@@brockolea Hey thanks, I will mention that too him. He is actually using some sort of desk chair now but is new enough to where ergonomics aren't so important. As a broken ass overworked guy, that is one of the things I'm needing to focus on greatly. My current throne and the one previous to it has possibly cost me about $3k in medical bills actually. Getting old sucks, but that is a topic maybe not for this place.

@davidhobbins3636 3 жыл бұрын

Is it too late to join the 6'4" drummers club of America? I started with heal down. Tried changing to heel up. It works ok sometimes, but woke up with lower back pain after playing a "4/4 kick on every beat" song. Glad to know heel down is still ok. I don't think I can raise the throne any higher. Plus, I share the kit at church with shorter guys, so the whole kit is lower.

@chigozietruth 3 жыл бұрын

Stephen is also 6'4"

@seanpark1351 3 жыл бұрын

I had a weird non drum throne (I think my mom's make up chair) when I started playing..thus I ended up with heels down to this day (30 years later)...it's funny how what we learn with sticks with us...

@rolandobenavides7640 5 жыл бұрын

what is your drum set

@nvdawahyaify 5 жыл бұрын

When I play drums, I actually prefer to use my heel to play the kick. I know it's weird, but I don't naturally tap my toes, I tap my heels. This might be because I naturally walk on my toes with my heels up. I have ever since I was a kid.

@tonymurphy321 3 жыл бұрын

Yes me too. Have you seen a backwards peddle

@tonymurphy321 3 жыл бұрын

That would be toes down heel up...

@lemonworm Жыл бұрын

Interesting, I initially played heel down because I started drums with Rockband as a kid. However when I moved to the real drum kit I noticed most drummers legs fully moving up and down so I basically forced myself to switch to heel up and now its way more natural to me, and just pivoting my foot without lifting at all feels really weird (even though Im very tall). Thanks for the video, I'll try to practice both techniques more and be more cognitive of it.

@jonathanwilliams1974 Жыл бұрын

Right. I think heel up you're using a stronger muscle (calves) as opposed to heel down your using the smaller part of the calf near the front of your leg. At least that's how I perceive it.

@ryanb1874 4 жыл бұрын

Almost my thoughts exactly. I M bigger, 6 2 , and have always been heel down, sit comfortably high though, most drums sets at the stores are a little if not a lot low. I think you 're heel down, pulse technique actually gives more power, I try to do the same, usually try to blast in that, sling shot like, extra third hit, From the retained inertia, It's cool, but I noticed even w you , it feels like a 32 note triplet, or something fast like that, is missing, I think someone could get away with play g that, as like a fool in the rain, shuffle type sound. But I torn between the fantasy, of applying, like a triple-beat, alternating foot technique, for double bass, or double pedals, for sure, I say I'm "torn" because that fantasy seems pretty hard to do, and so many amazing drummers hear on KZfaq can be so pretty fast with the typical scarffing, heel up -toe-land technique. I need more consistency though so probably should just really try to get that down, and keep, the Altra Black gospel foot, stuff, to just one foot. Anyway, hope someone identifies w this. DRUM ON!!

@yese1697 3 жыл бұрын

mine is based off comfort. heel up is most comfortable for me. crossed arms for hi hats is most comfortable. i do whats most comfortable

@williamyoung3070 5 жыл бұрын

I find myself playing house drum kits more often than I would like. That's just a fact of life that most drummers have to live with. The ONE piece of gear I always bring is an inexpensive lightweight drum throne. Most of the house thrones I have sat on have been substandard or trashed, no matter how nice the drum set is. It's hard to play well if you're struggling to physically relate to the kit. Even a 60 dollar PDP throne can be a real difference maker.

@areaboy777 5 жыл бұрын

Nother nice one bro, thank you.✌❤

@PigMCplayer 4 жыл бұрын

I do both

@viol8tor775 5 жыл бұрын

I was wondering whats your look at electric drum kits, as i live in a house with alot of people and can't play at night.

@nicksmith2964 5 жыл бұрын

Viol8tor if I’m correct he has a few videos on e kits in his videos

@DanielMartinez-uy6es 4 жыл бұрын

So heel down is better than heel up, unless you have the drum thrown at the correct hight.

@bigmikey690 3 жыл бұрын

I like heel down playing but just can’t stop the burning and fatigue

@charlestang1383 3 жыл бұрын

I'm the short guy in my band heel up 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽😜

@jojothetasmaniansassmonkey8866 2 жыл бұрын

the vast majority of professional players use heal-up most of the time (with the exception of a few straight-ahead bebop/big band players). it takes some practicing but heal-up ultimately offers much more control and articulation. part of the reason it is not working for Stephen is that his posture and technique are off. you need to sit with your spine aligned, relax your thigh muscles, and play from the ankle/calf. practice sitting with your weight balanced on the throne properly, and without using your heals for balance

@ColeDockter 5 жыл бұрын

Come visit Greenville SC sometime mate and let's make a video!! :)

@johncontrada Жыл бұрын

im 6, 3, and maybe an obvious point, but i agree that the further back you sit, the easier it it is to play heel down. but, you obviously need to consider not putting yourself in a position that inhibits your rack tom playing, because of their distance you've created.

@Henry-uv9xu 5 жыл бұрын

Pianists-turned-drummers unite!

@Daan3456 3 жыл бұрын

Was looking for this comment

@seelanne 4 жыл бұрын

Actually it is a matter of sitting height: when you sit low, you play naturally heel down, when you sit up, its natural to play heel up. The sitting height now is determined by the setup: if you playing a 22 BDrum with Toms on the Top and you are no a Hulk, automatically you have to sit higher to play your toms comfortably. If you are playing one tom besides your bd or you got an 20 or 18 bd, you can sit lower.

@ambroulard 4 жыл бұрын

seelanne Nah,,,,, bogus data dude, Bogus,,, Check out Rodney Holmes playing and set up,, he does just fine with his toms a MILE high,,, no problem,,, if it’s no problem for him it’s only a problem for someone else because they’ve MADE it a problem.

@estew9119 5 жыл бұрын

Adjusting the thrown is the first thing i do no matter what kit I’m on why tf wouldn’t you adjust the thrown for a gig lmao

@onesyphorus 2 ай бұрын

what if its on a spectrum, like thats the way we perceived it

@itchie 4 жыл бұрын

played heal up for 20 odd years and my ankles are knackered

@rafaelallenblock 2 жыл бұрын

Uh oh...I just watched Rob Brown on playing heel up yesterday. Confusion reigns

@gaboogablah 5 жыл бұрын

There's these things on the bottom of the pedal called spurs, they help stop the bass from sliding away, the legs of the bass also have an adjustable spike to stop it from sliding away.

@sephiroth7818 2 жыл бұрын

Joey Jordison is going to haunt your bedroom for making this video. (I just watched it) Do you use kick drum chocks/blocks?

@merecatbear114 5 жыл бұрын

i also have griffin double bass pedals. i like them too since they also were a good replacement for my Dw 9000s that got stolen

@kennyday7085 3 жыл бұрын

I definitely don't go for flat footed kick drum style. heel down is whimpy. Height makes little difference for me anyway. Heel down reminds of a bored lazy lounge gig. This is always something I notice when seeing a drummer playing live. of course it's a mater of taste "to ech his own"

@diegom.2353 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Stephen! Soy de Buenos Aires, Argentina, realmente disfruto tus videos y de tu enfoque claro y práctico. No se cuantas visualizaciones tienes de paises de habla hispana pero realmente disfrutaría mucho más si pudieras activar los subtitulos, y más aún si estuvieran disponibles en español. Muchas gracias, abrazo grande.

@jsraudio 5 жыл бұрын

that "heel toe" method of yours is way more similar to the forward slide method, that ain't heel toe anyway ;P

@OogaB0oga 3 жыл бұрын

overall, heel up is definitely slightly better. Because the muscles you use to kick the pedal aren't just those located in your shank (lower leg) like they are with the heel down technique. Instead, you can use your whole leg. That means you won't get the shin splins as you eventually will playing fast stuff heel down. Also, for different musical applications, different techniques are required. When playing swing or older jazz, oftentimes you want to 'feather' the bassdrum on all quarter notes, basically playing four on the floor. In order to get a good, resonant sound, you want to avoid playing into the drum. That's a lot easier with your heel down.

@OogaB0oga 3 жыл бұрын

More drummers should generally have their thrones higher up. Can't kick your hihat with the proper conviction and sound if your stool is too low for you to play heel up. Also, you generally have a better overview over all the surfaces. Sadly, many drum instructors don't seem to pay any attention to that.