Double Stroke Kick Drumming - Basics (Heel-Toe Technique)

[JulianBfmV]

is that blood on your snare head?

[groain00]

Amazing!



[WOMrecords]

I'll never manage to do that...

[xXCaLloFdUtYaDdIkTXx]

Hey man, thanks a lot for this video! I've been drumming for only 6 months and I can say that I am well on my way to learning this technique! Thanks again man.

[TheFijinbrad]

hi my name is brad i have been playing drums for about ten years and still have trouble with the heel toe. could it be becuase of the pedal that i use? (pearl eliminator) do i need to have long board pedals?

[Overusingthestapler]

Ive got a question: I have recently gotten a double pedal and have never played with one before until now. I have used heel-toe with my right foot when i had a single pedal and it was great, but now that i have a double pedal and im using my left foot what can i do to make my left foot equal to my right?

[CalTamaDrummer]

My beaters area lot farther from the head than yours. does that mean i cant do heel toe?

[Togagiga]

@CalTamaDrummer No, it does not if you have the right technique then no

[Thegroovenick1]

This technique blows my mind! I've not tried it yet, but I'm definitely going to give it a shot! You definitely have the best video on youtube for this technique as you break it down very well. Cheers man!!!

[johnlalala23]

IT AIN'T EASY BEIN' CHEESY.

[jamesmetaldrummer]

@kapb77 Good question. Not all kick heads have the same feel. I found using lesser quality caused some problems and thinner heads massive problems. It is good to adjust to what suits you. In regards to Heel-Toe I have my batter head pretty tight but retaining a bouncey response, the beaters bounce back pretty hard when strike. The resonant head doesn't really have any effect on the responsive. The rest is pedal config stuff. Hope this helps, keep experimenting.

[theunholysin6]

ur kit looks so nice uhh i want double basssssss :( ur awesome lol

[biker19860708]

Would this techniqe sound good with a Double Pedal on a single Bass Drum?

(Just cuz I'm about to buy a double pedal, and I can't decide if I should get another Bassdrum instead...)

[jamesmetaldrummer]

@biker19860708 - i've got the same sort of video on a single kick with a double pedal. Check my vids out, it's there somewhere.

[biker19860708]

@jamesmetaldrummer Thanks a lot.

[SASPython]

Can someone tell me whether its better to have the spring tension loose or tight, and why? Im looking mostly for speed power and accuracy/timing.

[STIXAHOY]

@SASPython

I used to have my spring tensions tight. Like most metal drummers........ however I realised that my legs really feel so exhausted after a gig and my knee caps hurt. So I've moved to a medium to loose tension. I still get speed.......in fact I can play faster. Now my problems are solved. I checked out a drummer called Dave Dicenso, he has a super loose spring tension but he's super agile on the kicks

[kyriacos93b]

what is better heel toe on double bass or swivel??

[sebby4298]

it feels like its cheating...

[falloist]

thanks buddy :)

[xXtremeEnigmaXx]

Can you do this technique with a strap pedal instead of a chain? I got a strap pearl pedal =/

[OTDRUMGOD08]

I just got Pearl Eliminators...had DW 5000 series forever. I must have a mental block because I can't make this technique happen. Any tips?

[OMGxITSxEnVy]

I'll Sell myself to get these pedals :/

[killerkason]

It aint easy when your feet are tiny(cuz im 13) and you have a long board pedal :/

[TheRandomVideoMaker]

how big r the axis longboards? likehow long



[overcontrol]

beautiful

[6sic666666]

OMFG YES!!! Can you PLEASE do a Tour of your kit?! :) PLEASE

[RedCl0ud22]

What kind of tempos do you use doubles for?

I can play singles 16th notes at speeds 180+ bpm no problem, and singles below around 120 bpm. But it's that in-between that I really have a hard time with. 16th's between 140-160 bpm just feel impossible for me without using heel-toe. Is that a normal problem?

[gisltome]

Nice instructions, very understandingly well done, so kind of you. Love your voice. Thanks for posting & sharing. I dont play but i just wanted to say i do so appreciate your generous teaching spirit... Blessings & hugs, gisl

[TunesNorth]

Hi James,

Great vid buddy.

Very informative and well done.

Thanks for the share my friend.

Thumb, double'd!

[drummaster033]

interestingly,i have the dw 5000 i can play doubles, how long ineed to practice to play like you i appreciate your response thanks

[drummaster033]

es interesante yo tengo el dw 5000 chain drive puedo tocar dobles como tu tambien cuanto tiempo de practica necesito para tocar dobles gracias .

[ObliviousIkuto]

wow epic when u the 16ths xD i totally need to practice :P

[jamesmetaldrummer]

I'm glad somebody has pointed out the 2nd hit can be weaker. This purely down to technique and development, I will post a video soon on how to make the 2nd stroke equal to the first. But this is where some other things needed to be taken into account such as leg weight and ankle strength plus how to make pedals feel like your gliding on air.

[drummaster033]

@jamesmetaldrummer 

[purefires]

doulbe's technique seems too much like "cheating." Plus it doesn't seem to allow as much power for beats you could be playing with singles.

[Kevinkoch2443]

i want those axis pedals!!!

[riomariucci]

It ain't easy when you have massive feet and a shortboard pedal haha

[leedevine666]

very expertly done james :P haha. hows the recording going?

[KungFuJunky]

Nice vid! Never tried this technique for doubles before...worth a shot I reckon. One question....when you've got both feet going (ie. 4:24) are you playing heel-heel-toe-toe or heel-toe-heel-toe?

[jamesmetaldrummer]

@KungFuJunky Thanks for the comment ! i'm playing heel-toe, heel-toe

RRLL RRLL

[xxxZxRoWxxx]

Great! I'll tell this to my drummer. Go Warpath!!

[FollowHim4Eternity]

Thanks so much dude! I've been working on my double bass for a little over a month because I just got a double pedal not too long ago, so thanks a lot for the tips!