Ankle Technique in 5 Steps - Double Bass Drumming Lesson

[@t.jakstadt2690]

Always important to say that everyone trying this should adjust their pedal/spring settings. Otherwise you will build up muscle memory much slower.

[@alanissexy99]

What would be ideal? I know drums are super relative to the person but what's this path look like? *double bass pedal tensions are super dif* *noob* thanks :)

[@t.jakstadt2690]

​@@alanissexy99 you set the spring so tight or loose, that if you contract your calf muscles you should barely touch your pad/drumhead.

[@alanissexy99]

@@t.jakstadt2690 whoaaa!!! 🤯🤯 i feel it

[@t.jakstadt2690]

@@alanissexy99 haha you're welcome. I had the same whoa effect 👍😁. The next thing I did was to find my comfortable bpm. Mine is around 190bpm. Because this midtempo BPM 150-180 is a combination of calf and thigh/hip muscle. For that I had first to get used to the motion of pure calf (above 180) and pure thigh/hip (0-140). After I found my tempo of 190 (first try where your bpm is and then try to match with metronom) I tried to built my muscle memory and I am still at this point. My next step is to combine my left and right foot at 190. But there is still some practice to do. Patience is key 🫡😎

[@alanissexy99]

@@t.jakstadt2690 bro, 🤯

[@mattgentle773]

Awesome tip! My first drum teacher would say "Slow practice = fast progress"

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Hahaha Love that!

[@JanFee]

Very good advice about moving the HEEL and not the LEG, thanks, it really helps !

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@friendofp.24]

By far the best teacher on KZbin. Thanks

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

You're awesome 👍

[@rickwells5624]

I will agree with that 100%. I just learned of this channel last night when he sent me a link to a tutorial about adjusting the spring tension for bass pedal. Very good video. Detailed and easy to follow. He is a very good teacher, and he is considerate enough to communicate with people who ask questions. Most of the other channels for tutorials won't answer at all.

[@bruhvioli3913]

Even in 2024 this helps. even though i have drummed for 7 years now, i recently started learning to play metal and the double pedals were a bit of a problem for me, but this video helped a ton and im getting so much better!

[@TerryFXX1]

Love my Sakae HH ... also their BD pedals... also very nice. I'm swivel guy too... just seems to be the fastest and most comfortable. Good lesson

[@rebeccassswlevy1453]

Wow this really helps!

[@ThomasLambeir]

Just a small tip but maybe you shouldn't use the term "swivel" in this context because "swivel technique" is also used to describe the motion of moving your heel from left to right while playing ankle motion. I know you mean the swiveling of the beater but it could cause confusion. Love your double bass instructional videos!

[@alanissexy99]

Pro 🫡😎 Thanks :)

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

You're so right lol, totally not that swivel technique. Retitled it. Good of you to give constructive criticism 😁👍

[@thomascooper438]

Such great instructions for dealing with the foot work!

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Hey my pleasure:) thank you!

[@jchope777]

Yup, this technique works for me 👍🏻

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Good to hear!

[@stuiedaman]

That Trick driveshaft 👀

[@arcy9289]

This is the one video that made it make sense

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Cheers!

[@ryancox5097]

Bro has more Vans than an Amazon warehouse.

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

😄😄😄nice observation! My fav shoes

[@makayla1374]

Good video !! Thanks !!🥰

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Thank you too!

[@AEonAEtherium]

I’ve been swiveling for high-tempo double bass without even realizing it apparently. Something about working the calf muscles into the mix feels very natural at extreme speeds.

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Swivel is a great fast technique 👍

[@sarahdonenonly9963]

Thank you 🥰

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

HOpe it helps!

[@miguelsanabria2663]

I love the tips..Thank you

[@saulvera5469]

These exercises are helping me a lot ,thanks!. The only problnowi havent been able to solve are those 2nd/3rd note after the initial hit, after those ,I can bounce the beater much better. Any tips for that?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Try to work this into your muscle memory kzbin.info2xFynww7Gg4?si=ZtvvWb6-NurvYPMO and also slow things down to a tempo you can control the 3 strokes and work it up from there. And prioritize drilling the 3s and 5s from my double bass routine kzbin.info/www/bejne/ap-ldGufo92fnposi=QIqr3luof-POYhis

[@marcogiugno]

thanks for the suggestion, it's not clear to me if I should just work from the heel. How much spring tension do you suggest? Thanks a lot ..

[@musicbystripes]

then how do you evenly split motions between two legs? my biggest issue has to do with speed. after a few seconds of doing this on both pedals one gets completely offset from its original timing and they blend together creating chaos. as is the same problem with many drummer

[@junathanbacane]

How to sync alternating left and right ankle technique??

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Practice slow to fast, and fast to slow gradually. 4x a week for 1 month. Rest for 1 week. Then repeat it.. Stick with it for 2 years.

[@rinoytony2008]

Hi, can u please explain how to start to practice double bass drumming and how the leg should be at slower tempos

[@drummykriss]

Nice lesson!

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Thanks 👍

[@Deadlegs78]

I can try for ages and fail. Blessed are you who succeed. I do not know how to do.

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

You might have pedal settings that are not helping your movements. Try this video first kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3XPiXVog9KAa5I

[@periphery8228]

Thanks bro! Is this 50 practice sessions a week right?

[@roxnroll8050]

Great video! Sounds a little soft, though? How do you go that fast with more power?

[@ariesowenboliguen9498]

Thanks bro

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

My pleasure!

[@selvmorderisk]

Who needs leg day when you can just play drums?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

More ultra burning leg day here kzbin.infovxtT_QfSZ8o?si=uG-oeCIXtI10nKIH

[@noisek8812]

Nice video!

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Thank you!

[@crocfan5338]

Do you have any tips on balance? I have long legs so fall forwards unless I have my heels on the pedals when playing double pedal. Thanks for the lesson 👍

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Try to enable more support on your throne. Maybe get one with a bigger, better surface area. Make sure you're not sitting at the edge of your seat. Make sure it's at a height that allows you to move your legs up and down without overextension. My drume throne video might help kzbin.infovWm3IRSNP9E?si=2sap-Uq7EHa7P_iN

[@luziddr33m]

🔥

[@kimcarig714]

Hello. Thank you for this concise and solid tutorial. Been watching your videos for a months now. I have question that is not related to this video, if its okay. I've been searching on the net what type of grease/oil to clean our drum pedals. Ive seen alot like silicon oil/ white lithium grease/sewing machine oil/ninja oil/skateboard oil. For you sir, what do you use and you recommend? thanks!

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Oh I use wd40 to oil my springs and bearings that's all. but I didn't do much research in that department

[@kimcarig714]

@@ArtOfDrummingHQ I see. Thanks for the reply sir. Keep creating this kind of videos. Drumming community needs you :)

[@HerHolyKnight]

His voice is very calming

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

😂 👍

[@gringochucha]

I fucked up my knees because I stomped too hard when playing. I think the ankle technique could be my salvation. Thanks for the video, bro ❤️

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Injury can reveal such things. I got injured before too from over practicing. All the best to learning the ankle technique

[@gringochucha]

@@ArtOfDrummingHQ ❤️

[@paiefilhomachado7630]

Once, a very smart man said: P + P = P Practice + patience= progress

[@andrewcruz3837]

I got mine today after stop playing for couple years. 💩 hard

[@No_Transitory]

Is that a trick drive shaft on the dw5000?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Yes!

[@FabEnPeOr2]

Buddy one question when you are sitting how do rest your feet? Like on top of the pedals even if you don't have to play them? Or you rest de foot away from the pedal? Bc I can't be hovering all the time I get so tired

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

After each stroke I try to let my heel come back down to touch the pedal plate. and I leave it there in rest mode until the next stroke. Unless there's a whole series of 16th notes than there's no time to rest and my heel hovers a bit of distance off the pedal plate. kzbin.infoD-rfjTLyNAs watch this whole video to see me demonstrate that in action. It's a double stroke kick video but it also shows clearly how and when I rest.

[@FabEnPeOr2]

@@ArtOfDrummingHQ thank you. What I'm a bit more concerned about is the foot on the hit hat. I can't be hovering my foot bc I lose balance and when not playing what I'm doing rn is resting my sole on the start of the pedal but not on the pedal since applying pressure to the pedal leads to closing the hit hat. But I can't find a vid about that everyone talks about the kick hehe

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Ohhh just rest your foot on the pedal and close the hi-hat. Nothing wrong with that. it should be closed until you need to play open sounds.@@FabEnPeOr2

[@gloriaitziriosunaarellano1113]

Hello, I have a problem with putting my foot in the middle of the pedal, my foot is small and the entire sole of my foot is positioned on the pedal due to inertia, any advice?😢

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

What spring tension do you currently have on your pedals and what pedals do you own? I think you can benefit from lighter and looser spring tension so your foot will have a better time controlling the pedal. Do share more info so I can advice more.

[@alessiodm3833]

Im trying to work on it but I cant manage to keep both my legs up...yk what i mean?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

It's your peda position/settingsl and throne settings look at this kzbin.infoyOH2w_qLHVA?si=qWAcYSKnkt8WpY8R and then kzbin.infovWm3IRSNP9E?si=KwBht1BEQNfJUELt

[@King-Gilamashur2758]

When you show the movement on the floor notice how the position is not the same as when you go to the pedal. On the pedal is as if you're always lifting the heel. To do the same thing on the floor you'd have to start from the heel lifted position and then bounce the heel up and down without touching the floor. Now my issue is the following. If I try the motion you showed on the floor I can do it with both legs fine. However if I try to lift my heel and do shorter range of motion, my left ankle can handle it, but my right ankle completely locks up. So basically when my heel goes from the floor upwards and then goes back to the floor it works, but when the heel starts already lifted a bit from the floor and tries to move up from there, it's like my right calf locks up and can't swing up and down with flexibility. I'm thinking this is a physical issue, as in my right calf not being able to make short contractions when the heel is lifted for some reason. I've concluded this is some kind of physical block from my own body, and I'm looking for some exercise I can do to gradually unblock myself but so far I haven't found anything that works 😢 The funny thing is that it does work after 200bpm with my right but not below streamable.com/idez4d

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Yes on the floor is just to practice those calf muscles. That's why there's the Pedal technique step too. The reason for the heel being lifted off the pedal is to activate calf. if the heel stays on the pedal. you're forced to use your shins. And think about the construction of the pedal. It's tilted upwards and thus your foot rests higher up if parallel to the ground. So your heel will be a little higher up if you're maintaining the same foot position as on the floor. Your video shows that you're too used to doing it fast with no lower tempo control. I was like this too. You must start from the ground up and understand how to do it ULTRA SLOW like I did in step 2 of the video. Or even slower than that. Like just hold your heel in the air first in the pedal position. THen move it gently up 1 sec, then down another.There's nothing wrong with your legs. Its just you have to reverse the habits you've built for your right leg. And that involves stopping the fast things you're doing at the moment and concentrate on learning these motions from scratch and in as relaxed a manner as you can. You're suffering from too much tension in that right leg(probably not just the ankle)

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Adding on to that I really suggest taking 2 weeks off of practicing anything with your right leg (dead serious) One of my students got into the same trouble with over-tension and fatigue. And I forced him to take 2 weeks off of any practice and come back later. Another handful of people on my discord also had the same problem and 2 weeks of rest allowed them to recover and go in the correct direction. He was surprised at how he was able to start to grasp the swivel motion after coming back to it 2 weeks later. It's very important to recognize this tension and not fight against it by working harder or in the same way, you will just continue to build tension and things will get even worse. After your 2 weeks off, resume practice, start with relaxation top of your mind. Only trying to tense the working muscles correctly. Seriously just take it slow with the right ankle. Or in deliberate long steps to learn that motion. And climb the ladder 1bpm every week. It's hard for people to accept snail but steady progression, so they usually don't want to do that until they get stuck for 2 years and they finally come to me for lessons, and I force them to up 1bpm per week and they finally get it. I've seen that too many times. By the way join the discord, all this can be discussed there and me and another frighteningly good double bass pro drummer will share our thoughts and feedback and even help you and give you extra videos and stuff for free. discord.com/invite/rEFFZtkwJj

[@King-Gilamashur2758]

@@ArtOfDrummingHQ I really appreciate these replies. I feel you really understand exactly what I'm going through which is something I haven't felt with any other teacher. I'm already in the discord by the way I just haven't visited for a while. By the way where are you based at? I'm gonna be in Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia at the end of the year /beginning of 2024. I'm living as a digital nomad for the moment so I travel a lot, that's why I mostly can practice on the floor at the moment and sometimes I rent a rehearsal space wherever I'm at. If I travel anywhere near where you are, I'd love to pay for a lesson with you and get to meet you. I really appreciate what you do brother.

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Oh I'm in singapore, just a 20min flight south of Malaysia! Drop me a message on the discord telling me it's you

[@countrymousejewelry]

As a drummer i find it always works best for me when learning a new technique to break it down to the simplest elements and force myself to do it over and over very slowly until i feel my body adapting to the movement. Its usually harder to do things more slowly because we want to do everything quick these days but its worth every bit to go slowly and make progress with patience as the teacher suggests. ❤very good advice and lesson thank you 😊

[@TekkaiJon]

When using the ankle technique, can the ball of your foot leave the pedal? Or is it supposed to stick to the pedal?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

It should not. Because it will be inefficient. Applies for any technique, you can look at the best players playing swivel or ankleor heel toe. The ball of the foot stays on the pedal. No wasted effort against gravity

[@TekkaiJon]

@@ArtOfDrummingHQ if i use the slide technique instead of heel toe, does that mean i will be more inclined to use the shin swivel instead of ankle technique?

[@user-mn6md2lc7t]

Japan. Beste.

[@aninjatuna8576]

Shouldnt the movement be coming from the ankle/calf and not the heel/thigh?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

the muscle contraction comes from the calf, which pivots the ankle, which moves the heel up and down, and the thigh to a smaller degree. It's impossible not to move the heel up and down, unless you play heel down, then maybe that can be considered.

[@francescorabitti4993]

Some suggestion for spring tension on dw5002? My legs are 9 kg(+-20lbs) i sow the other video about spring tension but if i go too up with tension i cannot play slower tempo parts with one foot- 30year whit a sigle pedal and in 2y whit double i stuck at 130bpm😭 does this exercise can be usefull if done under 130?Compliments for ur video thank u🤘🏻

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

The dw5000 needs perhaps 6-7/10th of the way for 9 kgs. Although it's more important that you become comfortable and able to engage the proper muscles, a video would be better if you have one so I can see your tension and how it goes with your technique

[@francescorabitti4993]

Thank u for the reply? Where can i send u a video? Tomorrow i will make it! 🎉

[@him-2ndchannel]

i always thought of it like bouncing my leg when im bored

[@xenoxender]

bro wtf u taught me that in 15 seconds😭

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Hahaha my pleasure, Though still need to put in the correct work too

[@xenoxender]

@@ArtOfDrummingHQ yepppp, I will definitelly work on this, thank you so much!

[@Rasgore4]

why would i have to put force into my heel when i want to have force at my toes? seems counter intuitive...

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Force from the front is the shin technique. This video is the calf technique. Moving it from the heel. See my other video for shin technique kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYqrhp5qn56YbcUsi=bRtS5bSn3sYaVpPw

[@Rasgore4]

which one is better? I already can use the heel toe technique if that makes a difference @@ArtOfDrummingHQ

[@LunaVeau]

My problem is my feet get so anxious and fidgety they bounce little ghost notes and throw my concentration off

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

That's the same thing that happened to me for a few years before I fixed it. Your muscles don't have control at the speed you want them to go at yet. So you wanna lower your bpm during practice, till you can get the motion in without the fidget and practice that 15minutes a day, 4 times a week, 3 days of rest. Repeat for 6 months.

[@zydian_]

I only feel sour at the area next between my nuts. Should the legs be tenioned or relaxed?

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

Upper legs try to relax, although they are involved with supporting the lower leg so they can do the work. But only minimal, and definitely don't want them sore

[@hipotalamo555]

A lot of patience, I am struggling trying to overcome 180bpm

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

You're past the first few hurdles. Apply the same mindset to get there, all the best 💯

[@mazklassa9338]

It's not possible to get the natural volume of the bass drum with the ankle technique alone. You have to use your hip flexors too. If you look at Joey Jordison playing at the Dynamo 2000 gig, you can see his whole thigh moving up and down, and it's still fast as fuck.

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

True that. bigger muscles have more power. But if you're talking upwards of 240bpm++ very few have the physique, health and fitness to be able to use hips that fast. That's also why triggers exist for a lot of extreme metal drumming and is being used even by the best of the best.

[@dylonandrew1]

Bump

[@countrymousejewelry]

I still dont know wtf happened to my double bass pedal. I guess someone thought i didn't need it😢

[@ArtOfDrummingHQ]

that guys got kharma coming his way. Hope you find it or get a better replacement!

[@SlipknotGlazer515]

Bros legs are so cut (shredded, defined) (Not cut like slits lol)

[@sebastiangibbs8755]

I’m gonna listen bc he’s Asian