Tim Waterson close up of heel toe technique

[Gr1zz3m]

I have big feet, so heel toe didn't work for me until i watched this.

I'm in the process of trying to decided wether to get Speed Cobras or Trick Pro 1v pedals, but even on my dw7000's, i'm able to get a steady beat with heel toe.

Thanks tim, you're the man.

[CatacombsofDeath]

hey tim, i just ordered your dvd! what are the springs for your axis pedal you use? (the strong springs or the standard springs?) and what is the tention? (im gonna to practice "the pump"- technique right now) cheers man! keep it up!!!

[TimWaterson]

@CatacombsofDeath

Thanks for the support

you'll notice on the dvd I demonstrate the pedals with a variety of settings and tensions.

I try NOT to get to fixed on one.

I have to teach and be able to play on ANYTHING.

Overall tighter springs means more speed looser gives more control.

Tim

[MRmesmetin]

very good tehnique! i will try it myself........

[DaFuckinSchwartz]

@DeBoltDrumming1 absolutely not just practice over and over agaian I would say at least 10 mins a day straight trying this doesn't even matter if your getting the double but make sure u have the motion

[DeBoltDrumming1]

i Play barefoot? does that affect how i do it?

[hypshark]

ooooh...off to the practice room. Thanks!

[Larz1000000]

HI Tim,

I'm currently practicing heel-toe, but I can't seem to take the shuffle out, even when I slow it down. Any tips..?

Thanks for your time.

[abraxasdelight]

wich way (the 2 foot's position) is the more correct ? in order to learn it and master it for years

[SirDrumsalot94]

Trick Longboard Pedal?

[MaggotDrummer21]

My feet are too big :(

[Battossai3000]

lucky i have small feet....i try to do it the right way (like that but i have to put my feet way in front o the footboard) and i tried to go back and nothing did hapen...ive been doing it by making the first beat with my heel and then with the toe instead of just doing that motion

[MRmesmetin]

excellent!

[Portgasable]

what pedal is that?

[TheDrummerX7]

Could this also be done while doing for example - right toe, left toe, right heel, left heel?

[TimWaterson]

@TheDrummerX7

YES I do both ways

[skiddlecrumms]

@TheDrummerX7 Seems like that would be better for the pedals.

[overcontrol]

expensive axis fuck!!!!

[RVBDeathbot]

Dude... with those feet alone you put a lot of drummers to shame.

[rosetwitches]

That's a great explanation!

[caiowariel]

my foot is too big to do it :(

[TimWaterson]

@caiowariel

No its not check my video drummers with big feet im wearing Huge rubber work boots

Tim

[JoeyThePhantom]

@caiowariel I have the same problem. I have big foot and i cant do this technique :(:(:(

[caiowariel]

@JoeyThePhantom Fuck ours feet!! hahahah Man we dont need it!! We can play double bass like the classical way!! Fuck the guys who have small feet!!

[JoeyThePhantom]

@caiowariel Can you write me, what he telling in the video? I am not American so i dont understand so much :-//

[caiowariel]

@JoeyThePhantom Im not from USA too :D I'm From Brazil \o/ I think that it dont need a tranlation. Just look for what he is doing...

[JosiahSCooper]

so is this all really, say, so 'worth it'?

because it seems like I could get the same results just playing heel up . .

and this technique comes off as pretentious, but I guess you might know better?

[TimWaterson]

@JosiahSCooper

HT is just another technique to add to your bag of drum goodies.

I use All techniques except i cant Shiver or twitch for some reason???

Tim

[gtrocksyosocks]

Dear Tim. You are the mother effing bomb. Emphasis on "mother" and "effing".

[TimWaterson]

@gtrocksyosocks

Thanks i think that means you like the clip LOL

Tim

[anhiro0610]

its AXIS A LONG BOARD PEDAL

[s3rTing]

chuck norris can do this 10 times faster . . XD

[billdim1]

does it matter how big is your foot???

[Luisaviola18]

This is a cheat, triplets are other thing...

[JosiahSCooper]

@Luisaviola18

when did drumming techniques become cheats?

it's a skill

[anticannobis]

where is your other foot????? uhm

[bondjamesbond12]

can you do the heel toe technique with short boards

[mentzsana]

Very interesting video...

How do you set the spring on your pedal? (tight, default, loose)

[anubisB]

what shoes are u wearing ??

[Rdub666]

This really helped me finally understand the heel toe concept thanks Tim. I just got myself some nice long boards so i'm hoping this technique can take me too new speeds.

[0intelligence0]

You can do this with any pedal you want. I have one that has a short footboard and after 3 days i finally pulled of this technique

[specialefxseb]

in my opinion,the most difficult thing is to situate the foot technic in a musical context!

[fmlXskater22]

thank you sooo much!!!! subbed :)

[wudgeypudger]

whats the difference between axis A-L2 and X-L2? in other words, which is better?

[wudgeypudger]

are those the black axis pedals? those are sick

[darkholicz]

lol i iwsh i have a axis double pedal >:)

[TristanAHT]

Is there a limitation on speed for just the normal heel up Technique ? Like, is it possible to reach the crazy 250BPM speeds on Heel Up, cause i've got size 13 feet which dont fit on my pedal to do this technique very easily :P

[ryder187mac]

@TristanAHT Yes. That's the basic answer.

[immortalvenom216]

can you play the heel toe like this let's on an iron cobra pedal with the heel plates? i really wanna learn how to play this stuff however, i find it really difficult.

[TimWaterson]

@immortalvenom216

Everytime i teach I use the drummers pedals

HT can be done on any pedal just takes practice

Tim

[immortalvenom216]

@TimWaterson

Alright Tim thank you very much i will be sure to practice my ass off!

[ThrowingItAway]

@TimWaterson not if you have size 12s on a short board IC, my toe touches toe stop and my heel is on the back plate.....

[begformore31793]

@TimWaterson nah nah nah. it's forty times easier on AXIS don't lie to the guy.

cuz the plate that actually affects the beater goes all the way down. it's hard on DW. PEARL. and IC's. alot harder than axis. stick with single strokes unless you wanna drop the money for longboards

[eli4s1231]

@immortalvenom216 same wif me dude......cannot find a way 4 me 2 do if

[olliemedsy]

i know this is irrelevent, but i have the same practice pad as you. does the foam thing on your pad rip after about a month of using it? thanks.

[kentsmedblom]

What spring tension is best for this? I usually play full tension but find it hard, would medium or loose be best?

[topdjcom]

I got big feet I think that is why I can do the heel toe, maybe I should try some longboard type pedals

[topdjcom]

@topdjcom I mean why I can't not can

[quickkill777]

subbing nao

[MichaelThompson19683]

Also what are your pedal settings? haha

[MichaelThompson19683]

how do you keep your feet relaxed enough to get the stroke every time? I have these same pedals and shoes that are relatively close to yours. Thanks in advanced.=)

[boingboomchak]

I taught an awesome girl drummer who developed her own version of what you r describing, it is truely accurrate and fast but not frantic.

[solz101]

and this is the reason why i turn to your videos when im in need of guidance..cheers tim

[coloredCYANIDE]

Thank you! I'll be working on this.

[livedrummerboy26]

this guy is amazing in so many ways ha

[xXAlecXxC]

Its funny in alot of the heel toe vids the people say "oohh its easy to learn i havent been doing it long at all its suuppper easy"

have axis longboards..

and lik eit may be easy with like 700 dollar pedals.

but id like to see your heel toe skills on my shitty ass double bass where the left pedal sticks like crazy.. like cmon

[Khempejjer]

@xXAlecXxC True. The technique can be done on a crappy pedal as well. Of course, it's much harder. But. If you can do it on a crappy one, you will be able to do it on any pedal. 

[edtrooper86]

i wish i had a longboard. it would be much easier

[RaDiumDrummer]

@edtrooper86 it would probably be much easier but its not impossible. i do it on a standard pearl forum series from 1999. i have put on a lot of training. right now i can do 16th in 170bpm but i feel that i can do much faster if i continue to train. so don loose hope, i almost did.

[Drummer91111]

Hey, I think I get it, havnt tried it on my kit yet though. I was wondering, can this technique for heel-toe be done on regular shortboard pedals as a pose to longboards?

Thanks, Matt

[vestvik95]

yo Tim, why are you using axis, and not trick? Is there a simple reson for using axis longboard insted of trick longboard?

[Sicklehead88]

ok, i need a waaaaaaaay better pedal than the one i have now, to practice that technique.

[killyofool]

is this very easy to do on axis, but you just have to get used to the direct drive type after playing chain?

[Domino313131]

when i use my heel nothing happens hahaha i feel like my pedals are too small

[drumlord420]

Tricks are WAY better than Axis btw...

[JoniGWalker]

Man I gotta learn it..

[GerhardduPlooy]

I finally understand how to do this! Thank you! You really are a great and well spoken teacher!

[863jose]

Tim,

do you have to have long board pedals or can i just use regualer pedals.

also since i have PDP pedals...how can i apply the heel-toe method to my pedals? i tried and practice but its seems to me that my pedals are small. i only got it because it was cheaper. thanks.

[metallicaguy85]

I can 2 quick notes really well when playing like this, but how do I get a even foot patern and not just 2 quick notes

[TimWaterson]

The reason i BREAK DOWN the motions on my TMA dvd is because drummers needed help to learn the transitions between a a double and singlestrokes

Tim

[npg68]

@TimWaterson. tim, just stumbled onto some of your clips and am keen to try out your ht tips but i am wondering about how high your seat is and angle of your upper legs. in one clip you seemed quite high like riding a bike with a high saddle (if this makes sense) what are your thoughts on seat height and posture and does it make a difference to foot speed? thanks.

[FireFlamesrocks]

Yea Tim? How Do You do the back when its on the ground?

[sketchbager]

@metallicaguy85 practice practice.

[Blixish]

God I'm having problems getting this down... I'll keep working on it though! I want to master this!

[nigilie]

What kind of kick pedal is that?

[skillnub70]

Black Axis pedals.

[desimaltall]

DAMN! That pedal you have looks really smooth!

[Hyperdrmr]

Thank You! ive been looking on youtube for days to find something like this. i only use single petal and this is a huge help to get my heel toe speed up. doubles are easy and came naturally, its getting constant strokes out of it that ive been having trouble with.

[indafinda]

hey tim were you get the black axis? i have ah silver but its ugly....maybe i can give it back for a black xDD

[skillnub70]

I think you can get them from the Axis website.

[fatalkill101]

hey tim just wondering how is your spring tension set? max??

[skillnub70]

Judging by the video this is not the heel toe for quick doubles, but a technique to go faster with one foot continuously. Ima try it, nice job Tim.

[TimWaterson]

plain heel toe in a shuffle for doubles is Level 1 cleaning up the strokes to sound constant is level 2 which when developed will give you more TRUE speed in singles or doubles

cleaner strokes means more speed

Tim

[skillnub70]

Thanks :).

[TimWaterson]

@skillnub70

No constant notes or shuffle or doubles is controlled by the foot This is all explained on my TMA dvd

Tim

[skillnub70]

@TimWaterson

Where do you get your TMA dvd? Coz I live in Australia, could I get it from a local music store?

[skillnub70]

Tim will being able to play cleaner affect my ability to shuffle? Because if I'm doing like a funk gig I might want a quick double, not a constant stream of bass.

[aassyr1111]

ok....how about a guy like me who's foot is size 15....and i cant affored an Axis Pedal.

What to do?

[TimWaterson]

Just a suggestion add the VRUKS to extend the length of your pedals

Tim

[LOVEBRUNS]

fuck u Dolphin

fuck u whale!

[drumlord420]

axis is cool. trick is WAY better. I own both.

[TheKurtKM]

yeah baby!

[cdlabelsideilive]

only problem...... im 13 and have a size 13 shoe and im not even 6 foot or full grown, my foot hangs off like a half a foot off of the pedal

[pjfitz111]

@cdlabelsideilive wat pedals do u use?

u should try out some longboard pedals like axis there really good especially if u have big feet

[BillyWigmore]

@cdlabelsideilive dont use DW pedals lol

[pidrgu]

@cdlabelsideilive me too it sux, stupid growth hormones

[Anonyomus]

I have a guestion for you Tim: When you do that hel toe technique, do you have your drumseat/bench high, medium or close to the floor? I have a problem with this thing, because some things I can play easier when my seat is higher and some things when seat is lower. So how do you prefer your height of your seat? :) Thanks for sharing that technique, I should try to practice it, if possible! Make some video, where you're jamming on drums, not just pedal working!

[TimWaterson]

we are doing mini lessons at the STUDIO as part of the pre production for the new DVD.

The most requested topic is still heel toe so thats the first video comming soon

Tim

[dwpro19]

Damn!!

[sketchbager]

i really appreciate all these videos, i was considering buying an axis single pedal and wondered if i could get god speed with just one foot, thank you tim

[marnmf]

Tim, you rock.

I'm a single pedal drummer and I just can't do those Iron Maiden constant bass hits in songs like "Wicker Man".

I don´t know if Nicko use some specific technique to do that but I was wondering if I could apply hell toe to pull it off.

Can you help me out? Really appreciate it.

[TimWaterson]

Nicko breaks up the pattern its not consistant 1/8 all the way through I know he pumps his foot similar to mine as one of my students asked him.

Tim

[taikogroove]

Hi Tim,

I'm looking for a slow demonstration of triplets with the heel/toe. I can do doubles and continuous but not sure the best way to do triplets.

Thanks

[Horsemenjenson]

i hide a radio under my drum set that has a recording of tim waterson pulling a 260bpm and then everyone is amazed at how fast i can go.

[xGTYe110wSn0w]

lolol

[TheresAFuckingDuck]

Tim for this is better a high spring tention or not?

[GrMfull]

this video help me guy ! thx

[a7xfancletus113]

wut is that thing your using that black thing?

[TimWaterson]

Prmark bass drum practice pad FYI it fold in 1/2 for easy transport

Tim

[a7xfancletus113]

ty and were do you get one and is it expensive?

[dumadave10]

thanks helped alot

[A11Drum]

I have been using that technique for a year now and if you're thinking on doing this you must know: 1- In normal pedals you're NEVER gonna reach that consistency, maybe the speed if you're looking for 2 strokes. 2- Your feet must be small to fit in the pedal that way. 3- If you use this technique constanly, your ankle it's gonna hurt for some days. It's not unbearable but believe, it's not cool.

[TimWaterson]

Your ANKLE should NEVER hurt

I demo this on studentss and other drummers pedals all the time

move your foot around on the pedal tiill you find the sweet spot and remember you are Just controlling the rebound

Tim

[gcharocks]

i can only do this my shoes off lol

[backyardfreerunner]

yeah but everyone doesn't have $500 axis pedals..so it's alot harder

[Direwolf56]

I dont know how this idea rose up that you have to have a long board pedal like an axis to do a great heel-toe movement. My drum instructor has a normal mapex pedal with the heel plate and he can do it rapidly and flawlessly. I don't care how many thumbs down I get for this comment, I just want everyone to know you DONT have to have an axis-like pedal to do it perfectly.

[xxxmartin666]

@backyardfreerunner oh man, $500 is great. here in Aus it's like $1400 rrp :/

[CGJ7755]

@backyardfreerunner

I have a set of axis longboards, a set of pearl eliminators (dd) and I practice all the time, I still cant break 160bpm cleanly and smoothly... so the pedal really has nothing to do with it. I bet Tim on a piece of crap DW5000 could kill almost all of us.

[sebastianjwalker]

Cool black axis pedals

[Alisterbmx]

good video :)

what practice pad is that?

[urajokeMC]

I need sugestions! I have a 15 US shoe, and my heal is not on the board! Even the Axis long bored. ANYONE?

[TimWaterson]

Click on video link for drummers with BIG feet

Tim

[xxnossnipedxx]

Hey I really need help... I have size 14-15 feet, and I've tried doing heel-toe, but didn't work... Im planning on getting a double bass pedal here soon, and wanted to know if there's anything anybody recomends? I just started really looking, and I think so far Axis Longboards would be the best bet, but what do you guys think? If you could, send me a message please? Thanks

[TimWaterson]

Watch my clip on heel toe for drummers with Big feet im wearing rubber work boots

of course the Axis longboards allow your feet more room

Tim

[weckl001]

I would recommend you not to actually use this technique. I don't think that playing heel down is good. First, there is usually not enough space to do that (which is your case and mine too) and second, it can never be as loud as if you play it with your toe. All of these videos are nice and even the GREAT Steve Smith shows this on his DVD (he is still a jazz/rock player) but it's not gonna cut through loud guitars on the stage.

[NBenvy1]

u have tiny as feet and yes im aware those are longboards

[high90times]

i have a size 12 foot and i can do this on my pearl eliminator pedal. are the pearl eliminators the same length as dw?

any ways i can do it with any pedal.

[OffTheWallDrummer]

stclair120. lol i doubt you can do it cuz i have a size 9 foot and can't do it on 5000s. (and yes i've tried to do it and my foot is too big so don't bother saying stuff like "oh your stupid i bet you haven't even tried" because i have.

[stclair120]

do you think i could do this with moderately tight dw 4000 pedals and a size 11.5 foot?

[experthook]

Size doesn't matter mate, just practice more.

[mapexlb]

size doesn't matter? the footboard is only so big and having a size 15 would make it extremely hard to use heel-toe... my advice would be to just use a double pedal or double bass to get the same sounds and just make what you can with it, maybe check out some trick pedals.

[dwarfspiders]

for some reason this pedal looks pretty ugly (just personal taste), but the main reason I don't like it is this wobbling of the beater back and forth. It's like it has mind of its own., does not submit itself....

[BurningAlienSyndrome]

Heres a fact, when your on stage playing a show, what your kick pedals look like mean NOTHING to the crowd or anyone else but you. BTW, Axis are phenominal pedals and Tim knows how to get the maximum response out of them. The only way that this technique has a mind of its own is if your own brain is disconnected from your head. After all, it is your feet doing the work. lol

[FunkSoldier76]

Well done, Tim. Straight to the point. I have played for 22 years, never got into heavy double play until recently. Big help! Rawk on, Brah!!

[IDrumCrapish]

heavier pedals than axis fail at even heel toes. show me with shitty pedals and see if tha makes a difference

[paaskemus]

Hes kinda showing you, to the same as when you've got rebounce. which is hard to use on a basedrum.

Nice Tim! :)

[TheresAFuckingDuck]

do you think that could be the same with my iron cobra?

sorry my bad english

[blueagavemtndew]

lol people discrediting THE tim waterson makes me just sick...south of heaven, yes quite literally because of him, obviously youre an amateur.

[EcuadorFreak]

I love you man! (not like that) I got the basics of heel toe down in half an hour last night =DDDDD i mean i cant do it consistently like you but man youve got years of practicem, ive only played  2 1/12 years and heel toe started last night =D

[ItsShredTime]

Man, if only you had learned it sooner.. It was like one of the first things I learned, and by now, I've got it down as consistently as he plays in this video. But soon enough, you'll be able to do the long runs. Just be patient and practice as much as you can. Best of luck to you. PS, triplets are the most fun with heel toe.

[XShad0wSin]

i can't double kick i can do the slow tempo when i try like bullet for my valentine stuff i can't keep up i go out of timeing.

[rossedgington]

Metronome mate. It has helped me so much with heel toe timing

[zachabend]

thanks man it helps, although these self-proclaimed (i can't do this but im gonna criticize it and pretend that I know what the hell im talking about) people don't think it will work for a certain need for a specific type of music that you did not advertise this video was for lol

[F990]

Tim, awesome vid! What kind of practice pad is that?

[zeekdavis21]

thats not gonna work dude its cool but not efficiant

[TimWaterson]

Whats NOt going to work?

Are you telling me heel and toe is NOT going to work when TONS of drummers are alreay playing faster because of my vids?LOL

Tim

[xxxYugooxxx]

I have spent upwards of 200 hours trying to get this damn heel toe to work but I just can't do it. It looks so simply on this video.

I have the futz practice pedals as my main practice tool do you know of them? If so can you post a video of you demonstrating on one? btw in your humble opinion? dude your like one of the fastest living drumming.... you mean your masterfully kickass opinion seriously we are not worthy!

[ItsShredTime]

That may be your problem. The way the futz pedals are set up, it's much more difficult to heel toe on them, at least from my experience. Your best bet would be to either just practice on a kit or get a practice pad for your normal pedal and practice that way.

[SouthOfHeaven33]

zeekdavis is right... most people look at heel toe for comfortable double kicking. but this is teaching a constant beat with single kick. not single beat for double.

im not saying your bad (i couldnt do that for shit) but it isnt efficiant.....

plus.....wtf, tons of drummer play faster because your videos......sure man, you just keep telling your self that. drummers are getting better all because of you...

[choirboy5000]

Actually, they are getting faster because of his techniques. Search Thelinearpractiseday and Dreammotive (each have respectively executed 1,205 and 1,163 single strokes in a minute using the pump technique and heel/toe). Tim still has the doubles record @ 1,407 though.

[TheRandomVideoMaker]

where can i get a double bass practice pad in florida?

[fullyAsianeric]

Great Tech

Amazing speed!

[2324836]

well if cant get 1from guitar center or any music store, then you can try making one yourself im sure there are videos on youtube for that ... as a last resort

[xXQcAresiusQcXx]

By the way Tim... Where can I get a bass drum practise pad like this? I'd like to have one of these...

[2324836]

guitar center store or website

[xXQcAresiusQcXx]

The problem is that I live in the Province of Quebec in Canada... I think Guitar Center cannot ship here...

[TBAG1000LTDedition]

Looks like a Pearl BD10, just google it

[hxcdrummer3]

Does the tension of the pedal make a difference? Because I like mine to be as tight as possible, if it's not I can't to do more than 120 eigth notes and my double bass pedaling is even worse.

[ilikecheese500]

best kick pedal for bigger feet is axis longoards, so when ur doin heel toe ur foot sometimes slips, these bad boys give ya more of a range to slip

[huwindup]

wat if u have a 9 size foot on a tama pedal, would u be able to do it?