Exercise To Separate the Hi-hat and Bass Drum

Here is a video that I filmed last year and it fell through the cracks somehow. I have several beginner students who have had challenges with separating their hi-hat hand from their bass drum foot. Here is a solution that I learned from my friend and fellow Drum Teacher Gregg Eckersen.

[@PilafIsACookingMethod]

Three years ago a man made a video specifically for me today.

[@steelysam7189]

Been struggling with this but this really helped tremendously!

[@andrewl4018]

Exactly what I needed!

[@BobSchoepenjr]

That’s ‘two birds one stone’ …the quarter note pulse and the Moeller technique 😁 at the same time. Great lesson👍🏾

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Thank you Bob. I’m glad you found this useful.

[@sharonk7]

Thank you for your effort in teaching this to us, it is very helpful😁 Will try this later. God bless u sir!

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome Sharon. I’m always glad to help out the Drumming Community. 😊🥁

[@mitchhamburger6024]

Thank you for this. I'm going to try it out today

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome Mitch! I hope you enjoy the exercise.

[@user-ei5lo1hj6q]

Exactly the problem I have as a beginner, been trying to play remedy from the black crows and I can kind of play it but can’t keep the hi hat on 4/4 when I mess around with the bass drum, will try your method

[@4Brazy]

Thanks for this 🙌🏿

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome!

[@Gbanfa]

thanksss

[@Han-Solo459]

Shuffles are the "putting on the green" for drums.

[@dank2265]

Thanks for posting I like the approach I would like to use this video with my students

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome Dan. I’m glad the video is helpful.

[@blue5306]

Thank u for this!!!!!

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome Purvi. I’m glad you find this video helpful. Let me know if you have any questions about anything drumming related.

[@river718]

Hey John, what is it called when you're you're altenating between the skin and the rim during a snareroll?

[@taylorjd71]

Thank you

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome!

[@patswayze7359]

Thanks bud

[@Harp4Hand]

Great video! My only suggestion for future videos is to mic yourself up so we can hear your voice more clearly (and not get blown out when you start playing). 👍

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Yes Rock. I will purchase a mic when I can afford one. I definitely need to get one so everyone can hear me better.

[@MrSmoocher01]

I can separate R & L hands from R foot. But when I try to bring in the L foot for a “Gliss”, everything else stops. Do you have a lesson on separating L foot (Hi-hat gliss) from R foot

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Yes that’s a common challenge with drummers. I’ll try to film a video on this. I’m sure there are other drummers including a few of my students who struggle with this. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@cainanneedham9022]

I’m not sure if this will be a viable option for you, but if you have a double bass pedal, try playing some songs that you already know well that DON’T require double bass, but only use the slave pedal (left kick drum pedal) instead of the right bass drum pedal. Even if it’s just a simple 4/4 rock beat - it’s still good for the ol’ left paw. It gets your left foot used to being more active pretty quickly. Hope that helps!

[@DM-pv4rw]

@@cainanneedham9022 This helped me so much. I just got an e-drum set and cant do anything with independence. All I had to do the whole time was move my bass drum to my left.

[@andrewl4018]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 I do!

[@cainanneedham9022]

@@DM-pv4rw awesome! Thank you so much for letting me know. :)

[@timwithey6532]

Thanks for the simple and complete instructions. Subscribe.

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome Tim. I try to break everything down where the ideas are easily understood. I teach several beginners so that is the best way to help them learn how grooves and fills are played.

[@MrSmoocher01]

BTW, I think I have the same set you do. (PDP ?)

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Actually this is a Taye Spotlight series kit. I bought it almost 16 years ago. It has served me well. My dream kit is a Yamaha Stage Custom. Eventually I will have the money to buy one.

[@andreich1980]

The solution 3:17

[@yesdrums6627]

I play open position. How would I apply this practice routine to gain limb independence? Thanks

[@Kapenguin448]

Do you typically play hi-hat on left or bass drum on left?

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Susan you can also certainly practice these exercises playing open handed. The same ideas still apply. There is an excellent course on art of drumming.com where Max Hoffman demonstrates independence exercises for open handed playing. It’s free to create an account with them. I believe you will find this very useful. Please let me know if you have any questions. artofdrumming.com

[@yesdrums6627]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 thanks so much, I’ll check it out! 😁

[@yesdrums6627]

@@Kapenguin448 I play hi hat on left, ride & splash on left, bass with my right foot & I have a crash & china cymbals on my right. But I’m thinking of maybe moving the ride & splash to my right & crash & china to my left side? It might help me become more ambidextrous 🤷🏼‍♀️😁

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

You’re welcome Susan!

[@sharon9627]

I can separate single stokes R & L

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Sharon that’s great. Have you tried playing your bass drum on 1&3 and your hi-hat on 2&4 as you play your single strokes?

[@quasarulas3968]

Mm Kaye?

[@suebuschmann7057]

Watch how Charlie Watts plays.

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Sue Charlie Watts is an excellent drummer. He’s very solid and doesn’t overplay. Can you give me an example of his playing? Maybe a Rolling Stones song. Thank you.

[@suebuschmann7057]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3rRZp2Ye5t8na8

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Sue this is a great example. Somewhat different than my video but definitely an independence exercise every drummer should learn how to play. Stewart Jean is an excellent teacher. Here is a video by Joe Crabtree. He teaches and is the drummer for Wishbone Ash. He does a great job of explaining this hi-hat bass drum separation concept. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHe4k2iJjMaVfrc

[@suebuschmann7057]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaOkgoSQnpZ9nJY

[@suebuschmann7057]

@@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348 Yep your right he is great. Are you a Drummer? Are you the one playing on this? I love your drum sounds great.

[@djjd6978]

sorry nice video but i have to do this... mkay

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Hello dj. What do you mean you have to do this? Do what exactly?

[@ToriS61910]

U look like bill gates, THANKS SO MUCH

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

LOL! I’ve never been compared to Bill Gates. Okay. I’m glad you like the video. Rock on 🤘!!!

[@ABCDABCD-uk3ft]

Very bad snar sound

[@groovewithpassiondrumlesso2348]

Yes I know. I need to ask our owner for a new snare head. I apologize for that.

[@Han-Solo459]

Very bad manners.