Play crisp hihat BARKS in 3 steps

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Imagine grooving along, inserting hihat barks & open notes at will. Imagine that creative, improvisatory feeling, where you’re creating unique parts in realtime.
But for so many drummers, this goal doesn’t happen. A lack of left foot coordination leaves you feeling clumsy and inadequate, and combine that with the frustration of now being boring - and you’re stuck.
But not any more! Today we’re talking about the “controversial” hihat adjustment that instantly creates a better response & sound, how to maximize your hihats’ “sizzle” by timing your left foot just right, how to strategically open your hats so that you close them on time…AND 10 example grooves for actually using all this. Let’s dive in! YOU CAN DO THIS!
Check out this past lesson about using the “leg bounce” for quicker left foot timekeeping on the hats:
“Make left foot timekeeping easy with the LEG BOUNCE”
• Make left foot timekee...
I believe that ANYONE can learn the drums, and I believe you’re far more capable of becoming a great drummer than you think you are. Don’t sell yourself short! SUBSCRIBE for more Non Glamorous videos that get straight to the point of solving drumming frustration. Stay Non Glamorous, Everyone!
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[@offshoretomorrow3346]

Had my hats clamped tight in the clutch. SO much sizzlier now! Mmmm bacon! ❤

[@silkroad1201]

I like to have a nice 3 foot spacing on my hi hats. I use a lever that hangs down from the ceiling, not my foot like a noob

[@loulasher]

Great idea! Now I put a squeeze-box between them and get a nice reed sound when I close them.

[@deenad3562]

I keep my HH in the bedroom and foot pedal in the kitchen. I use the huge sizzle to cook the family bacon in the morning. 🥓

[@malamute8257]

i started drumming when I was really young so I did a lot of stuff by feel, and I really think the large spacing is the best. Reason being, when "open" is a big opening, the amount it takes to get open enough for sizzle is faaar less work than when the pedal is already almost fully up and you reach the end of your ankle's "flexion".

[@amanuelmengistu6323]

I have coordination and speed problem when playing 16ths hi-hats. Can you make video that can help me out

[@mikeskowron75]

For me the hi hat adjustment is made so that when my hats are closed the pedal is at the same spot as my kick pedal when it hits the drum. Ergonomically it helps to keep you balanced

[@davidwillis9270]

Hey folks, ole rock drummer here... I watch/study everything online available. Stephen Clark is one of the best clear and concise music educators on the net! This video along with any of his others are good examples of well thought out explanations. And if you're a veteran drummer, some of this material is refresher GOLD (the e-books too). Every drummer that subscribes will benefit. I run 2 hats, at different spreads but also using drop clutches on them for double bass work when needed. I guess I'm neutral because I'm guilty of that controversial spread and the almost closed option, depending on what the music calls for. Keep up the good work, Stephan... the drum community is fortunate to have educators like you.

[@grrggrrg4805]

Hey Steven, Why did you leave the barcodes on your cymbals? Thanks for the vid.

[@richiecomia3696]

That causes my OCD to REDLINE 😅😅😅😅

[@robpearson108]

Another good hit hat exercise- Rock Steady by Aretha and cleanly nail those two hit hat barks at the end of the Purdie fill

[@mickholtwriter]

Enjoyed this lesson. I am not really "new" to drums, but I am new to opening and closing the HH and getting the timing down - when to open, when to hit and when to close. I think the will help me A LOT. I requested the notation guide and I am hoping to make sense of it all. Thanks. I'll turn back up.

[@lobbyrobby]

Heck yeah, I'm just a beginner playing on an ekit and just started working on my left foot. I really need to remember to take it slow and get the fundamentals down first. Only into my second day practicing yesterday I found myself trying to play fast and I was getting really sloppy. My biggest problem right now is getting the timing down when closing the hihats.

[@Catinthehackmatrix]

Is that a music school thing, to keep timing with the foot? Almost every drummer starts off using the hi-hat or beat to learn timing, so the foot should compliment the beat, instead of always timing everything bouncing your foot on the pedal, right? I do myself go with some beats/rhythms using the click of the hi- hat, but thats not always a full song. If your mostly rock drummer, you dont start like a jazz drummer with the foot the whole track. Then jazz the whole track you are mainly using a foot click, just my understanding in 20 years.

[@suminshizzles6951]

Proceeds to say that no spam will be added and this is exactly waht you get. You have to sign up for a newlatter which is spam when all i wanted was the notation to see what is goign on here. Subscription Confirmed Your subscription to our list has been confirmed. Thank you for subscribing!

[@rodneybrown9107]

Great lesson, definitely something I have to work on. Thank you Stephen😃

[@johnrobinson8323]

Oh and yes. I totally agree with your hi-hat distance of about one inch apart. It gives you a better chick sound with your foot and allows for a better bark! 🦮

[@jamesgauthier6751]

I have been struggling to get the crisp hi hat sound to replicate what I hear in a lot of Rush songs (instrumental passage in Red Barchetta for example). I have been blaming my hi hat stand for not being responsive enough, but have tried two others now and have concluded maybe it is the drummer, not the hardware! Based on your suggestions, I have things set improperly (small gap between hats, very tight top hat tension) and I should pay a bit more attention to left foot precision. I'll try it out and let you know how it goes.

[@sdw-hv5ko]

Such a great video! Really highlights the myriad of different tones you can get based on your hi hat settings, stick technique, and left foot technique. I've overlooked this stuff and my left foot in general, as many drummers do. Excited to work on it!

[@tonycarpenter-Makzimia]

If you've not tried this, just do it. Great demo lesson Stephen ! :). I've been doing this for a while now, and I love it. Real challenge has been doing it on my e-drums (have to for now). My Roland VH14D hi-hats actually don't do too badly at it.

[@MrRustyWaters]

I really enjoyed the lesson man and it's something I'm gonna work on. I think it's usable in many musical situations. My band is unpredictable because we play a variety of styles, so I typically set the hats so they sizzle if I have to take my left foot off the pedal for double bass playing. My band's first set of the night usually involves softer songs, so I think I will try your method during that time and make adjustments if needed later on. Great work man and thanks for such useful drum content!

[@J......F-q1c]

You always say 1"gap on highhat yet you show a at least 2 1/2 " gap !!!!!

[@johnrobinson8323]

Great lesson Stephen! Thanks for this non glamorous but very useful hi hat tips! 🥁❤️

[@jordonpolete7381]

What does My hi-hat need to be set at to accomplish this??

[@jcdrums2798]

great job Stephen

[@newlife9082]

I have just subscribed as this video is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I am just getting started with my drumming but am getting good reviews, so just wanna fine-tune my ting, you know? Anyway, I like your detailed explanations, it's very necessary and makes sense , sending big love and thanks ❤

[@FadjarMoeljarto]

Awesome...thx

[@jamesbridges3273]

I agree, n not sure how to download this lesson, can you do lesson on double kick peddle and hi hat placement . Great lesson, TimeKeeping Two. Keep Swing The Sticks.

[@kedmonds9726]

Hey mate! Just an amateur Aussie sticker here. Been drumming in bands a couple years now , never had formal lessons but I grew up on MTV...learned a great deal! Your instruction is exquisite mate! You are dead on! Helping me immensely and intensely! Brilliant! Thank you!

[@dennisvanleent192]

...for beginner players to start on the right foot.... Badum-tsss! Nice video though, thanks for some very usefull tips!

[@Darkurge666]

I use a drop-clutch so I can have it close but loose when I play double kick, and then, I stamp down to get full range on the hihat and can do proper chics. :)

[@joc8]

I love hi-hat playing, there are just so many aspects to it, and musicality. 1" to 1.5" between top and bottom cymbals, loose and some bottom cymbal slant are my usual settings. Great session, thanks Stephen.

[@jeffsr8300]

Since your a Jazz fan take a listen to The Ted Heath Orchestra, note beginning and end was so perfect. Thnx!!👍👍

[@Cmart50]

Good tip, i play with a big gap, angled bottom, foot technique is solid, however i see now that i've got my top way too tight. Can't wait to loosen it up at the next gig. I also like the idea that i could use my top hat as a small crash, especially when i use the smaller setup for acoustic gigs.

[@Wunderli_Injury_Law]

New subscriber. Loving your vids! Thank you 🥁

[@tonymilone5458]

The hi hat is probably the most expressive instrument on the drum kit. This is an excellent lesson that demonstrates so many different possibilities with the instrument. Great video. Thanks!

[@firdeye2681]

really helpful stuff as a new drummer ty. I usually play guitar

[@jaredtalksdungeons1402]

Been looking for a video like this forever! Thank you!!

[@zoomblocks7531]

Man nice

[@MatrixEvolution17]

7:55 hell yeah I'm always trying to get firm chicks if you know what I mean

[@preyaskansara]

🙌🏼❤️

[@richiecomia3696]

If you want to build L-foot power and control, hook up a double-bass pedal, close your hats (or use auxiliary hats), and practice playing with the L kick pedal! I injured my R leg years ago and rigged up my kit with a double-pedal, played with my L foot, closed main hats, a slightly open set of auxiliary hats for "barks," and a wide-open, "white noise" set of hats. This greatly improved my hi-hat pedal work once I recovered. This is obviously for R-handed drummers; lefties, just reverse everything.

[@xNecromancerxxx]

Personally, I think the mouth noises blow the hi hats out of the water… XD “shoom, eerrrrrrit, doom” 😂 😂