[jlowe2007]

Hey guys my first post so forgive me if It's poor and long!

Basically I need some help. Short history is i am 24 been playing drums since about 14 however i went to uni, became an accountant didnt play for two years.

I have been playing again for 6 months since I realised accounting is the worst life out there, but only now as I am in a band have i discovered the most frustrating flaw in my bass drum technique.

For example, when playing 16ths with just my right hand i have trouble connecting the bass drum (mainly hitting the bass drum on a 1, a 2, a 3 a 4 - the down beat) fair enough, so i have been practicing and getting better.

For the last 3 weeks i have been practicing playing 16ths with my right hand and with my bass drum on 1 e +, a 3 e +, a 1 e + (if that makes sense)

What is frustrating the **** out of me is that I started nailing it, built up to various tempos until i was comfortably playing 100bpm, then say 2 days later i go to play it at say, 80 bpm and i lose my foot..... It will do a litte buzz before the "a" and all the sudden my foot will feel like its never going to hit the beat - and even when i do hit the "a 3 e +" its rushed, or not very clean. Ill slow it down, spend ages but i completely lose my technique.

Basically has anyone else ever had this? I was playing it comfortably for a week, then i just lost it, even taking it down to 60bpm for gods sake, i lost it... then i get it back and i feel, YES ill never lose it again but i do. If anyone has had this and knows how to fix it please help. These are a few things I think might be hindering my technique (not sure which one if any)

- Mental (i.e. i think ive lost it and my brain wont let my foot do what i want)
- Physical (i.e. sometimes my hip flexors get tired as well as my shins if i have been playing really fast for a while, but i wouldnt have thought this would make you lose technique completely - even at slower tempos)
- **** equipment (my chair wobbles and often im either favouring my right or left sides, maybe this causes fatigue and/or stuffs my technique)
- Pedal itself (pretty lose tension, doesnt spring back quickly i know this is an each to their own thing, i use an eliminator but its about 8 years old and has a strap not a chain - maybe the response isnt great? Then again if im nailing it for 3 days before i lose my technique i guess its not that)
- Foot techniqe (i used heel up but im not sure how my foot is supposed to lead into the beats 1 and 3)
- The way i sit on the chair (i recently started facing the base drum forward but sitting slightly facing the left so my foot was naturally flush with the pedal, this helped heaps for about a day or two and then i lost it again (FRUSTRATING!!!)

If ANYONE has had this problem(s) and has advice on how to fix it it would be much appreciated - i have been practicing alot but if i am not practicing with the right technique/equipment then i guess this is where someone can help.

Cheers

[Tainojim]

Jared Falk Heel-Toe Bass Drum Technique

YouTube - Jared Falk Heel-Toe Bass Drum Technique...

Drum Set Balancing Tips

YouTube - Drum Set Balancing Tips :...

[butter]

Try changing the tension of your bass head. When my head is too tight, when resting my left pedal on the head during a right stroke, the left pedal buzzes. Also, if I push the beater into a head through a stroke, it can produce a buzz.

[DansDrumLessons]

Hi,

I would say you need to think about the wholeaction when practicing bass drum technique, although these should turn into muscle memory, think about when to lift the foot etc assome try too late and then the note or notes are late.

You can find a bass drum technique lesson here

Any questions, feel free to email admin@dansdrumlessons.com

[Buddy]

yo man. When you "Have it" do you actually know WHY you have it. or afre you just feeling it? When you finally start to get it keep playing it. Then take a 5 minute break or so and play it again starting back at a slower pace. Also can you sing the part? if you can sing it you can play it trust me just start making the soundz without any of the drumz. It helps .

Also Start with simple eith notes on your hand on do the bass pattern the same. Whe you feel comfortable pull the sixteens back in, then after a while drop back down to eights, back and forth back and forth

[slingerland59]

Nicely said Buddy. I'm a fan of singing parts too, even if it's just in my head. I know it's not something everyone is comfortable with, but it really works for me. When you exaggerate a note with your voice and make different sounds corresponding with different drums, your limbs just fly to the right places.

[4BIDEXTROUSDRUMMER]

If you want to open up your coordination. Try playing like this.

YouTube - A WANTON SLIPKNOT KIT.mpg

and yes if you stay away from something for a while you might forget it or your stamina will decrease. Sometimes it is good to go away from it and come back a few days later and will give you a whole new approach to the kit. I would wear shoes for heel toe technique as I ripped the front of my shoe off one time. Luckily I had duct tape to tape it together. lol Also make sure you stay relaxed & do not play very hard as you can develop an inverted hand as I did. As these are the most important things of all. If you want to see more check out my groupe page. Hope this helps. https://www.facebook.com/group.php?g...3092701&ref=ts

[Buddy]

exactly Slingerland

[Andy B]

I would say becoming an accountant is where you went wrong you should have become a lion tamer or a professional drummer...

[Buddy]

Or you could have tamed the lions with the sweet sweet beats of tyour drumset