Heel Toe Technique-Nick Pierce

[@dzarren]

Blast beats extreme metal with traditional grip, well that's new to me.

[@easytempo]

just found this video and thought the same ting:) always have to switch to matched in harder passages. never got the same power out of the stroke in Traditional

[@MistaHahn117]

A death metal drummer playing with traditional grip? What sort of sorcery is this

[@jcsk8]

Lol

[@raymondbauer2152]

Thats what I thought too lol

[@GaelicStorm1]

Birthed from Stuart Copeland and a succubus... That's the kind of sorcery involved with this phenomena, this anomaly....

[@blastbeatshaman]

It's just like doing doubles on your hands. Heel then toe on the right, heel then toe on the left. Hope that helps!

[@petergossweiler]

Death Metal drumming with traditional grip!!!!...now I can die!

[@wanjanechtangroeger]

I think there are only few people who can play such powerful double strokes on the bass drum and you coordination is really amazing! But still I think that doubles sound not as "straight" and energetic as single strokes. I use a very similar technique and I have tried double strokes, but to me it sounds much better, if I use this technique for single strokes, playing rlrl. I can't go as fast as you (my maximum is 16ths @ 250bpm) but my strokes are pretty powerful and even. Would be interesting to know if you have tried using this technique for singles!

[@BrownBear96]

I totally agree with you. he uses triggers, so it sounds awesome with them. but without triggers (like in 8:27) it just doesnt sound as clear and powerful as singles.

[@stevygeee]

They dress like bums but these are the most skillful if not the most skilled poeple in the world.

[@AlexiefDelbes]

Fuck yeah man traditionnal and heal toe 🤘

[@THEUNHINGEDSANITY]

this is the best and should be the only instructional vid for heel toe! thank you for posting this. other players show off and don't give advice. \m/

[@nickbenjamin5837]

I couldnt agree more. Seems at least 1 idiot reviewed this video and disliked it.

[@dondude1204]

Man watching this video made me get my ass off my bed and start practicing it's 1:22am right now, fuck the neighboors! thanks for uploading this kind of videos it motivated me to take my drumming to a whole 'nother level! :D cheers from Mexico!

[@MrT1o9P9i2]

Derek Roddy told in one of his videos that the drummer who is able play stick control with both hand and feet, is a dangerous drummer. I guess I found that drummer.

[@MikeCaputo]

+MrT1o9P9i2 Tomas Lang, brah

[@midinerd]

@@MikeCaputo brapenstauuuuu genau Thomas Lang is the shit!

[@joelgoodwin811]

NICK!!! WOW! Great to see you still working!!! Haven't seen you in YEARS!! Digging this video!

[@davidpardy]

Thanks for your video! After years of having left-hand issues with matched grip I've given up and gone back to traditional, which I started using about 3 years after I first started playing - for the exact same reason being that I couldn't fix my left-hand technique. Funnily enough, after not having used traditional grip for over 10 years it's still come back to me very quickly and feels better than matched ever did! So it's definitely inspiring to see another metal drummer using the grip, especially since I hope one day to be covering Fleshgod Apocalypse with ease! Your band sounds great, and I will certainly be listening to you guys more and more! I'm also (finally) putting the effort into learning heel-toe, and it's great to see how you apply it and see how those basic ideas can make things sound amazing when applied in context. So thanks again for the information you've given here.

[@blastbeatshaman]

Its all preference, I still switch between the two. I've ruined countless pairs of shoes because of sweat playing with Unearth, so I use socks now! To get comfortable enough to execute this technique live I'd say 4-6 months? Keep pressing on!

[@Cauldronics]

Nick, this is one of the better h/t videos I've watched. Most of them don't mention footboard position, which I found very useful when I moved my toe closer to the chain. Thanks.

[@GaelicStorm1]

Phenomenal dude... You're like the metal Stuart Copeland... All the Breathe of Nibiru stuff kills it...

[@NoCloud0]

Great tutorial, well explained. Thanks.

[@PastryMagicYT]

This is the best tutorial ive seen on this technique.

[@edpeterson1965]

Holy shit, Nick. This is your old (in every sense) neighbor Ed. Are you still with Unearth? I sat with your Dad when you absolutely enraptured the whole gymnasium full of students and parents at your high school senior day. Best drum solo I had every heard - and I had heard a lot of them as you grew up next-door to us. Please let us know if you are going to perform anywhere even remotely near here in the future. Heidi and I would love to be there. I miss you guys and sincerely hope you are loving life.

[@CultureShockGaming]

Traditional grip blast beat ? Nice

[@expressyourselfist]

Thanks,after watching your video I finally got it. I noticed your feet were close to the chain,and it helped me understand this technique,also your comments were very helpful. Coordination of both feet needs lots of practise.

[@blastbeatshaman]

Yes show choice is crucial, the Pumas I wear are too stiff for my taste but they work. Playing in socks is still the most comfortable approach for me all around. On the AL-2's my settings felt great for heel toe but not so great for heel up, hence why I changed to Speed Cobras. I have more power and control with both techniques on the Cobras. I suggest trying different pedal settings, beaters, and shoes or socks.

[@blastbeatshaman]

The intro is Equivalent Exchange by Culling the a Weak, you can find the full song on my channel.

[@blastbeatshaman]

The Breath of Nibiru album is being mixed and should be released by the end of the year! Thanks for watching!

[@paulus9845]

very excellent video. great playing and well spoken Nick.

[@abeerharoon6451]

Thank you so much for taking the time and effort. What a brilliant video. I love how you have the theory down (First time I heard someone say "diddles" lol) and also use traditional grip !!!!

[@Wiebe80]

Dude this is freaking awesome! Really inspiring. Insane double bass drumming!

[@rrrman2002]

Great instructional, thanks for taking the time to record!

[@zak3159]

Very useful technique-tip video! Thanx Dr. Gore!

[@jasontower1205]

So far this has been the best explanation of heel-toe technique that I've been able to find. I was trying to figure it out on my own but was trying too hard I think. By the way I saw Unearth with Slayer at, shit I can't remember the name of the place but it was in Ft. Lauderdale. You guys rocked it hard. One of your guitarists found his way to the bar mid set which was cool as hell. Thanks man!

[@codylieske3444]

agreed i had/ have the same prob overthinking it

[@julianmedrano6196]

I totally appreciate the tutorial! I will use the techniques for sure!!

[@MikeP1541]

Awesome job man...outstanding tutorial...you're amazing drummer as well. Been wanting to know how to do this for sometime now.

[@GUITARWHIZ100]

AMAZING!! Thanks for explaining it! Now to try it!!

[@ulisesdrums9531]

Nick, one question, have you ever had knee pain when practicing with this technique? Thanks for this information, you are amazing!

[@srwarrior134]

I used to. Increasing my angle of the whole leg dealt with that

[@Eleutherarch]

Thanks very much for posting this. Do you mind telling me whether it was more difficult to play doubles on your Axis AL-2s when you had them? I am having a hard time getting reliable doubles on mine. And did shoe choice play a part? By the way, I picked up the 14" Alpha traditional china on your advice. My stack sounds absolutely killer. Cheers for your help.

[@JGC1]

Great video! It's hard to find pedal technique drums with such amount of practic examples. Subscribed to your channel.

[@blastbeatshaman]

Look at my other videos for pedal setup!

[@jordy4054]

hey man, so you cover pedal setup, but what kind of shoes are those? pretty sure ive seen more than one high speed metal drummer wearing the same type...

[@TraneLoVe0104]

jordy babcock they are pumas

[@ttlyrichous.a.7933]

hey brotha,did u by chance play for A.S.U's drum line in early 2000's?this instructional by the way man is very well taught step by step richouse man so thank very much man for you're time and effort.If u get back to me on the?Why I ask is if u did I think u might have gave me and my drum core an instructional on a huge something like 30 marching band competition,all day nuts ah fuckin baking 104'degrees event but my memory is prety fuckin dusted so.....if not what line or cores did u play for my good man?

[@XXMUZZELFLASHXX]

hey nick, do you use the open close technique when your moving around the toms? I'm wanting to blaze around the kit like you do. any tips? thanks

[@blastbeatshaman]

I use a Roland SPDS with a Roland RT-10 kick trigger. Spend the money on a matching Roland setup and you won't have triggering issues!

[@LogicJab]

I think it's awesome that you're a metal drummer using traditional grip.

[@girugaymesh]

how the heck did I end up here? I don't even play the drums lol

[@BrianGivensYtube]

girugaymesh The magic of youtube

[@davefleming-bird122]

Thank you so much Nick, quality lesson, extremely useful!

[@blastbeatshaman]

Do I play triangle...Does the Pope piss on the toilet seat?!

[@bbbolster1]

Amazing great playing and speed , you truly kick ass

[@Mortos]

thanks for the video, that's exactly the kind of tutorial that i need right now

[@austinfinch1745]

Hey Nick, me and my dad were talking about different kick pedal setups and we only came up with the two pedal, and the toe and heel single pedal. That got me thinking for another setup that I'm not sure whether it already exists. So it's a single pedal with the two hammers, and when you push down with your foot one hits your drum, and then when you bring the pressure up off the pedal the other hits. It would be great if you could get back to me so I can prove him wrong or if it hasn't been thought of yet then I'll make it myself. Thanks, keep rockin.

[@ChordxClient]

There is/ has been a pedal similar to the idea. It was called the Dualist of I'm not mistaken. They had another version with a slave pedal for a total of 3 beaters. Sonor also made a similar pedal in their Giant Beat line. Hope this helps!

[@ronson197730]

Great video Nick, thanks so much!

[@DioJeanBaptiste]

suchhh clean playing man, sickkk

[@Marcosventuraalvesfilho]

Nice Technique...! Best video watched .!

[@ZuLLeT]

great video, you make it look so easy!

[@gingernutts7986]

You sir are an excellent drummer

[@daemontrigger3281]

great work !

[@monkeymalletsvideos]

Wow. Kinda cool way to explain that. Thanks!

[@FLDrummer01]

I've been working on this for a while... Thanks so much for the detailed video explaining it. My right is solid , I'm bringing my left up to speed now. This technique will be my only hope of ever achieving 16ths at 200bpm +. Why did you choose to develop this technique over traditional single lrlr ?

[@tbone6446]

Thanks for that mate , been drumming 10 years and wasnt even aware of such a style , took me a few hours but got it pretty good now thanks so much

[@king-manu2758]

Sweet snare sound (and overall kit).

[@midinerd]

solid! holy shit! Really nice lessons man, thanks for putting this together.

[@rwoods2k]

good info, good instruction...thanks for posting

[@boundbyoblivion2215]

this is so cool I've never seen someone play traditional in matal

[@jabasto]

Hey Nick! I'm learning how to play drums seeing some videos here on KZbin, including your videos. In your video you show very well the heel toe technique and the double pedal. I see that in the beginning of the video you play the drum pedals without shoes. Is it because the contact between the foot and the drum pedal is better? Do you recommend it?

[@blastbeatshaman]

Intro song is Equivalent Exchange by Culling the Weak

[@luka6667777]

You're an amazing Drummer!!

[@jarveli86]

Thank you so much for this video sir! This was very helpful

[@blastbeatshaman]

I use a Paiste Twenty Custom 18" Metal China. Check my other vids that go in to detail about my entire setup.

[@emilde12]

This is a great technique. How long did it take you to master this? Great video.

[@beyondbetrayal]

SUPER tight man. I can hit about 260bpm doubles but id say 240/250 is where i can do it tight until. I have a slightly different technique though. i don't strike the pedal with my heal.. more flat foot but i still use the whole leg for the first hit. I'm impressed your doing it with that old pedal too.. I learnt it on my axis but its pretty funny how easy it is to do heel toe on the demon drive as well!

[@Meerkat2472]

Hi Nick, I love this video and I have just got a Speed Cobra double today. The Heel Toe Technique - is it really as simple as this? I have tried it on the old cobras as I have a double bass kit but tend to go heel heel toe toe SO backwards I know.

[@ShadowsFrost]

Hi Nick. I would also consider the kind of shoes as well, no? What shoes are you wearing in this video? I personally like wearing a light pair, but try finding a good pair is not easy.

[@RogierRJDonker]

Wow nick! Great stuff. You kinda remind me off Donati. Awsome! A new fav drummer for me

[@intruderGER]

Good video! How long did it take you to achieve "good" speed, power and control, for example the triplets at 150 bpm? And do you like to play with shoes more now, because on the Culling the Weak videos you wear socks only? I feel like sweating too much on my feet when wearing shoes.

[@Danfromoverthere]

Great video! I just don’t think I’ll ever get heel toe man!

[@MrXBJonte]

Great video Nick!

[@rle440]

What is the sweet ambient background music? Love your playing!

[@natanielporto6277]

a lot. ty for taking time to explain. keep rockin!

[@betterinsodapop]

Such precise kicks. Goddamn. Wonderful stuff.

[@jotadavid1000]

do you think its possible to play this on a cheap / heavy / chain drive double pedal ??? what would be your suggestion my friend???

[@grandolddrummer]

Yes! Thank you for this.

[@jessebowles5632]

Dude I was actually curious after I recorded your set if you did heel toe. Nice video man

[@ThePathway666]

Amazing!! How come you changed from Axis to Speed cobra?

[@pcbw75]

LOVE THIS VID! Nick rules!

[@xtremegohorse]

Hey dude. Great vid. But i do have a question. You do doubles w each feet or do you do R heel, L heel, R toe, L toe? like singles. When you are doing straight double bass. Cheers!

[@joakimjaarnek1338]

Very nice Nick ! I've always been curious about this technique, looks so smooth and relaxed. I have a pair of axis pedals, what settings on those do you recommend? Many recommend maxed springs for fast singles, but I'm a pretty small dude, don't know if I can handle that ;p And one more question, are your legs relaxed during heel-toe?

[@christopherjohnson1586]

Cool technique, but sont you lose power when doing doubkes with the feet for longer periods or more bars of music? You must trigger kicks on stage no?

[@SirDrumzalotlse]

Great stuff!

[@grimkid]

How tight is your bass drum and what ply do you use? Also how much dampening in the kick do you usually have for live shows?. I'm trying to smash bang this heel toe down. So far got the fundamentals on practice pad but on my kit its proving rather difficult. I have speed cobras to and have nearly the same setup as yours, Might need to tweak beater angle a tiny bit further back though.

[@christophermaynard528]

How are your doubles now?

[@grimkid]

@@christophermaynard528 shit. I gave up drumming because my band fell apart and sold all my gear and all my hopes and dreams to be a drummer are crushed by the hopleness of living in Australia

[@christophermaynard528]

@@grimkid fuck that's depressing

[@blaizecollard]

This is what I've been waiting for! Very informative and great exercises. Kickass job at Summer Slaughter in Worcester btw! Very cool seeing a traditional grip blaster. I'm also curious on your spring tension. What do you think works best for this technique?

[@LuisDNieves9011]

You make it look so easy! How long did you take to master this tech?

[@Drummplaya1]

Awesome.... Thanks for the TIPS.....

[@micirmito]

Thanks for video. but i wanna ask a question... how important is that your foot and your footboard long ? because when i try to do this my foot hits plate ends of pedal. (bad english :/ )

[@jeromed2]

I hope I get there one day...

[@RasputinPrime75]

I have a question Nick: How tight should the batter head be? I use Evans EMads on my bass drums I don't use a double pedal, been playing Metal and drums for a very long time. Any tips for tension on batter & resonate heads?

[@clemensdrums]

brilliant!

[@CesarPintaude]

Amazing

[@blairthomastoews]

I can see this working really well when using triggers, but can Heel toe be consistent enough if not using triggers? Can this technique be developed enough to get power similar to using single strokes?

[@arlynvillanueva20]

nice work man. what snare are you using btw??

[@christopherjohnson1586]

Killer tips, thank you sir!

[@beyondbetrayal]

same technique i use... I was more impressed with the trad grip blasts!!!!

[@corzetohuani553]

awesome thank u for sharing your thecns

[@rammstein1985234]

Quick question, how tight is your bass head? I know some people like to crank it up to get rebound. Just curious how you do it.

[@TheFaan83]

Hey Nick! First of very nice work! i go singles from 0-160bpm then i cant do faster so then i switch to heel and toe and do up to 190-200bpm 16th notes. But Those are somewhat lower in volume but not weak. But i guess trigging is the way anyway to get the BD to sound good out but my alesis d4 and ddrum red shot triggers missfire and all kinds of shit so i sold them,. but i see all go trigger bassdrums. Whats the secret to get good trigger? u do trigg right??=) Thanks for the video!! GJ!

[@DoogalX]

hey Nick are you rocking your feet at your ankle for heel toe?

[@sholstein]

killer technique!!

[@Simon53188]

How tight should the kick skin be?

[@grimkid]

Thank you!