Drum Set Bass Drum Technique Part 1-The Basics

[@jeffreygilliam6352]

Can't believe you're grooving on the drum set like this and doing videos on orchestra techniques too. Impressive! Drummers who specialize in one field should take note at what is possible when you broaden your interest.

[@brunomaiamusic]

Rick is a complete musician, besides also being an excellent recording engineer. I believe that every drummer should be able to play the vibraphone and marimba as well. That is when you are also really applying Harmony and melody. I am taking the reverse journey. Besides playing the double bass and the piano I am now learning the drums, 3 decades later I started my musical journey. I want my next instrument to be the vibes. Only there is not much room left in my tiny home studio, where I am also learning how to record. Too little time for so much fun.

[@jeffreywegener8841]

Excellent Beginning drummers 🚨. This is probably the best intro to bass drum technique you can find online . I was the opposite to Rick - heel down but buried the beater on a stupid way for ages . If I had of kept going I would have had injuries undoubtedly. And many Rock drummers over muffle & all that stuff to get away with bad technique. I then went to heel down & how Rick describes. I think the timing coming from the rebound hence heel down first . Rebound is your friend.

[@mrwillbaker]

Thanks so much for this video Rick. Clear, concise and packed with relevant information. Your channel is consistently providing the best content for drummers wanting to improve. Thanks so much for your effort and for sharing. ❤ Rob

[@rickdior]

Thanks Rob

[@MitchellRoss-uy4fn]

I so appreciate how you demonstrate that it is possible to be both human (having imperfections) and masterful on the drum kit. I’ve gained so much from your content. Thank you!

[@KevinLynch1717]

Thanks Rick, this is a topic of conversation that comes up all the time with my students. Another reason I like to encourage playing the full stroke with the beater (rather than burying it) is because it gives the bass drum head a chance to resonate and make that great, long sound. If you watch a bass drum being hit with the full stroke in slo-mo you can even witness the vibrations.

[@augustleo7434]

Just started playing drums seriously in August of 2022 and this tutorial is incredibly helpful. I didn't even know about heel up technique until a couple of months into my journey and I am definitely guilty of burying the beater and struggle with issues like flutter and inconsistent doubles. I know part of my problem is lack of experience, but some is bad form on my part - so thanks for the guidance!

[@RayHennebeul]

Rick, I am learning a lot from you. Your techniques are amazing. I am learning your jazz ride technique. Not easy but rewarding with a lot of practice. Thank you for the lessons.

[@rickdior]

Your very welcome.

[@arrolate]

I'm all for that knowledge! I need to improve on the kick drum, so I will follow this series closely

[@darnelhillery4107]

I love love love, your samba playing! Thanks for emphasizing the importance of not burying the beater. I have technique to practice for the foreseeable future.

[@philipmcevoy7206]

These instructions are priceless nuggetts of truth I wish knew these things in my early career but I'm still excited to now begin to work on refining proper tecqnique on the kit. Thank you again Rick Dior

[@rondeangelis7384]

Great vid also for intermediate players . A follow up with hihat technique would be great Rick. For example, how to get a nice chic sound without being to slooshy. Distance between hats, etc. 👏👌 For earlier book edition, @8:55 p 180

[@brent3760]

Rick, is love to watch a video of your with you explaining on who your favorite drummers are. I think that would be super interesting!

[@bnjikos]

Dear sir, I really enjoy watching your lessons, feelig sad at the same time that I didn't have a teacher like you back in the days when I started playing drums. Sending you Christmas cheers and best wishes for the coming year.

[@paulstix1]

Hallo Rick , have used the slide technique instead of the pivot one . Will give this a try . The sticks I bought from you recently are being well used and appreciated. Thanks as ever for your sharing of drum knowledge . Merry Christmas.

[@rickdior]

Thanks Paul I hope you have a great Christmas as well.

[@brunomaiamusic]

Thank you so much! I am learning a lot from you. Rick, you are the best. Thank you!!!

[@christiancanalita6487]

Awesome video/lesson Rick! I see/hear fluttering issues with new drummers. Will be following this series.

[@elithepitbulldog2209]

Excellent as always, and Merry Christmas!

[@uhoh007]

I shoulda watched this video first!! You cover the waterfront, man :)

[@GearHeadz101]

Will be following this series closely. 🤩

[@IBY2K]

Amazing amazing lesson! Truly grateful!!

[@offbeat74]

Finally👌🤗was waiting for this!! thanks

[@brent3760]

A Led Zeppelin cover band at 12! Rick, that is awesome!!!

[@ACLOCKWORKDRUMMER]

Great vid...there are great drummers that bury the beater though !

[@rickdior]

True. It is unfortunately common like I said in the video but you can't do that on an 18" tightly tuned Jazz bass drum or all you will get is a buzz. You won't see it being done in that genre.

[@TimIsmagOfficial]

Thank you!

[@maximpopov199]

Thanks fot that so much useful video. Awesome.

[@Shurmstick]

Add first time I've seen your lessons I like the way you break it down nice and simple. I want to ask how do you get your metronome to go double like that

[@alessandroviola562]

Bravissimo complimenti! 👏💯

[@Shurmstick]

Or how do you get it to do that swing kind of pattern. I was trying to play the beats you were playing on my metronome and the regular temples at slow or double time don't work it was weird. So you can tell me how you set your metronome to that. Please let me know

[@LadaleDesu]

Great stuff

[@danielcohn6884]

Hi Rick, I regard you as a master, especially in jazz and Latin styles, and your videos have been a tremendous resource as a more advanced drummer. That said, I'm surprised you utilize a heal-up technique. I felt I was pretty good at heel-up (it's what I leaned first and used for a decade), but when I started working on jazz in earnest, I noticed most instructors encourage a heel down technique for more control, dynamic, feathering, etc. I find heel down is great for these things, but it has trade offs in terms of speed/comfort. I've practiced speed/control with heel down for a year now and feel like I'm getting close to achieving total freedom. But from watching and listening to you, it's clear that heel up can be used to play professionally in these contexts. I know drummers all have their own opinions, and many greats will encourage you to practice what works best for you, but I'm curious what your opinion is on the heel down vs up debate. Do you always utilize heel up? Do you switch depending on what you're playing?

[@rickdior]

Hi You will be much better off playing heel up since there is nothing that you can't do playing heel up. It is much more powerful and faster with a pivot than any heel down technique.

[@danielcohn6884]

@@rickdior thanks for the input. Will give it a try

[@AndreasHalvardsson]

Nice, how much tension on batter head (bass drum)?

[@rickdior]

Not much on this drum. It's a 22"

[@JoeDuffus]

Thanks, Rick. Do you have an opinion based on your playing style for both spring tension on the pedal (loose or tight) and beater position?

[@rickdior]

Hi I keep all of my pedals very loose. I will be talking about this in the next video in the series. Thanks

[@clydetyng9192]

Is your beater turned the wrong way?

[@rickdior]

Thats a DW beater. There are 2 sides, Plastic and felt. I am using the hard plastic side.