The ideal THRONE placement for HEEL-DOWN

[@notdoneone2499]

Wow, Stephen! I calculated 2:1 and 3:1 and measured my current settings which feel comfortable to me. Both the throne height and bass drum distance was exactly this ratio! Incredible. Thanks for the video!

[@Chiroman527]

Stepehen, glad to see again. You are one of the best Instructors On Line. Your Videos are very informative and help me as a struggling 71 YO, Hobbyist Drummer, playing again after a 50 Year Hiatus [1969]. I always played Heel Down - from the start. With certain back problems and a 1 inch shorter right leg (long story - as a result of a Fractured Femur at age 15], I just can't get comfortable with Heel Up.

[@Chiroman527]

FTR, I use a Tractor or Bicycle style throne with a Back Rest. I'm 5'10" - 220 Lbs. and have a Bad Back. It helps to maintain a better posture. Posture is vital.....Watch how terrible Buddy Rich's was - he developed forward head posture which affected his heart and lungs!

[@SuperheroJunior]

​@@Chiroman527 I like the heel down technique but some people prefer heel up. I wonder if Buddy Rich had heart issues due to the way he played the drums??

[@MrMusic32150]

I truly enjoy your lessons. This is definitely something drummers should pay attention to. Here's my thought on the distance issue, stool to pedal. Measure your distance from the center of your seat frame to the rest on the foot treadle. This way you'll always be the same distance no matter here in the imaginary circle you place your seat. Thanks so much for your great contributions to the drum world. (I love my Roc n Soc, with the back rest. After three back operations, I need the additional back support to rest my back between songs. By the way, I'm 72 y.o., but not what I would consider "large.").

[@toddshook1765]

Thanks for all the tips you show. Being new at learning drums your tips help me position my kit so I am more comfortable. Bring a larger stature fella I like the bicycle seat and for I am heal down. My only issue I have is my my left ankle is fused due an injury years ago so I play hi hat mostly heal up. Makes for challenging fun. Still learning basics anyway. Thanks for keeping it simple as we learn to make more fun; more fun = more playing.

[@battykids]

Great advice! I found I'm already following your suggestions for placement (I'm mostly heel-up). I've used air lift stools for +40 years and would not go back. I love the slight bounce.

[@Anastaecia]

2:1 is 34.5 inches for me. Comforatble is about 32-33. Feels like I'm reaching with the extra ~2 from the formula. However, I try to sit more in the middle of the throne, so that would account for the extra 2 inches. BINGO. At any rate, being too close seems worse than a little too far. You can totally feel it in the shin the moment you get an inch too close. Love the vids.

[@stanvangilder9006]

Hey! Another great video. I'm a tall, skinny, 58 y.o. newbie drummer. I started playing with a round airlift throne - actually borrowed it from my photography studio. After a short time, I replaced it with a bicycle seat, corkscrew throne with backrest. Here's why: Round vs bicycle: the round seat did not provide good support and was not stable yet also seemed to inhibit my leg movements - bicycle much better on all counts. Corkscrew vs airlift: I like the corkscrew. It STAYS at the right height and I just periodically fine tune it. With airlift, I was constantly fiddling with it. I also like the fact that it spins if I need it to, but also has some rotational resistance which I can fully adjust. Backrest vs non-backrest: Before I got the backrest, my low back hurt constantly during long practice sessions. I like the backrest for back support, but it also helps with stability when I am heel-up on the kick drum. As for distance and height, I have not measured, but I just tweak as needed. I watch the angle of my leg at the hip and knee per your guidelines. If the snare and the rest of the drumkit is at the right distance, I will move the kick pedal and hi-hat pedals to get the optimal and most comfortable angles. Beyond that, I want the snare to be at very close vertical reach, but if I start to hit the rim of my snare, then it is too high. If I miss my crash or ride, they're too far away so I move them closer. I'm pretty happy with the ergonomics of my setup. It's a constant work in progress but it stays where I put it and I don't adjust anything unless I need to - it keeps getting better and I do less and less adjustments over time.. THANKS AGAIN.

[@murdocktaylor13]

I share our drum kit with my daughter so our heights are very different. everything is set up for her comfort and a compromise for me. Shes very much heel down, whereas i vary as we're still beginners and i'm literally still finding my feet. As for thrones we both prefer a bicycle style as mentioned in the video for feeling that same position every time. Will definitely try the 2:1 3:1 though just to see how much difference my kit compromise is making.

[@petesandberg872]

This video was worth it for the "sit on the front edge of the sea" tip alone. I immediately felt my posture improve.

[@kenhigh8054]

Heal down newbie player (about a year now and 63 yo). I had a round throne that always felt uncomfortable and made my legs fall asleep! I’m thin at 155 lbs ad almost 6 ft. I bought a tractor seat and really love it except that it is a corkscrew and since I have it almost all the way up it always feels like it is about to rotate out of the threads and therefore gets a bit wobbly. So I’m continually tightening up the lock ring. Always find your videos interesting! Keep up the good work!

[@kitmarlowe2889]

I, primarily, play heel down. I do incorporate heel up, at times, when I do fast double bass pedal or to relax my shin. That being said, I prefer heel down and can be quite powerful and fast with it. This video helped a great deal.

[@bluchz79]

I really enjoy your content. Thank you!

[@richspicer7818]

Round vs Bicycle seat: I was recently listening to Thomas Land on the topic. He does Not like a bicycle style throne. He says he gets added support under his legs which help with his pedal technique. A year or so ago I purchased a new Pork Pie throne in the Bicycle style. to me it is not cushy and rather firm yet comfortable. So, long story short. If I am playing with a more laid back feel, Jazz, etc I use it as is. However, if I need a little more support under my legs for faster pedal work and a different technique, I simply rotate the seat 180 degrees and sit on it with the pointed bicycle part facing behind me. Seems to work fine for me and I get the best of both worlds.

[@warburtonpaul]

I live in a small flat (apartment), and don't have the space to move the bass drum back from my throne which is just in front of a wall. I realise that's one of those things, and also realise the advice offered is total common sense. Worse thing is, that like you Stephen, I also nudge 6ft, but appreciate the film.

[@markkubinyak1653]

I have two DW 5000 thrones. One round, one tractor , both cork screw type. I found I preferred the round seat. However neither of these seats kept the throne height locked in position. I need to constantly tighten them. Recently I bought a Roc N Soc gas adjustable tractor style throne. I was amazed by how much better foot responded heel up or heel down. My seat is adjusted approximately to the proportions you described. Asol I am a much older drummer and I like the cushion seat.

[@sembalo1776]

Tank you, i measured the 3 to 1 rule height and my throne is definently not high enough, will definently try this. Ive definently felt that unbalancedness you were talking about

[@WRSHP]

Nice video!

[@mister.wizard]

Great video (as always Stephen)! I'm glad that you got this video under 20 minutes. I watch your videos in the evening or afternoon & honestly I doze off on almost every one of them. Ideally if you could get them to no more than 15 minutes, that would be perfect. I know your a very detailed oriented person, which I appreciate. I hope I didn't offend you as that is not my intent. Thanks for all you do & Happy Holidays to you & your family!

[@GregoryCouture-i5y]

Jerk wizard

[@ZeeroDubs]

I prefer the bicycle seat with a backrest for sure. I have severe back problems that took me off the drums for a while. The bicycle seat encourages me to sit back and actually use the backrest. With a round seat I find myself scooching out to the edge like you sit lol. Which ultimately causes my back to go out 😬

[@alfredheath3126]

Great practical advice. I've been enjoying and benefitting from your content. I'm returning to drums later in life (it WAS my life throughout my teens into my mid 20s) after making some career and life choices that took my in another direction. videos like this one help me to get back into it without having to re-learn the hard way what works best for me. Much thanks!

[@Chiroman527]

Hey Alfred..... Me Too !! I'm 71 yo. Returned to playing Drums for pleasure after 50 YEARS! [1969]. My wife of 45 years (now 48 years) gifted me a Cheapo Drum Kit (Gammon) for Xmas 2018. Finally set them up about 2 or 3 months later and started to attack the RUST. I played simple Music for starters (Stones, Hollies, etc.). Then I started to watch Videos like Stephen's here and many others. I knew nothing about Drum Heads and Tuning ( an art in itself). Now using a PDP Concept Maple Kit which I purchased USED (I Gave the Gammon to my 5-year-old Grandson), purchased upgraded cymbals, numerous new batter heads, 3 new different Snares. I play about 1 hour a day to MY MUSIC : Beatles, Stones, Mellencamp, Clapton, Winwood, Petty, Cars, Talking Heads, Hollies, Zombies, Kinks, Eagles, Rascals ( I still can't keep up to Dino Dinelli plying Good Lovin'), and more....even Linda Ronstadt [the Original DIVA] & Bonnie Rait.

[@blujay9191]

Thanks. Good advice. At the very least you have me thinking about this. I'm a heel down guy who likes the front of my bicycle Roc N'Soc. I'll find 'my spot' and measure it so it's repeatable.

[@j.daddieo9283]

Tractor seat😁. Checking my height, I have it higher then what you suggest so I plan to use your formula and see how it feels. Thanks Stephen for the info

[@waynedillworth8813]

Relative to the throne height, where do you want your snare heigth relating to your body or throne

[@per174]

Great, Stephen, really useful guidelines! Thank you so much! Other thing, I notice you have a dw 9000 kick pedal, right? I'm struggling with adjusting mine. I like the spring quite loose, but have problem finding a sweet spot. Have you done any videos on that, or if not, that would be nice! 🙏

[@stevenschoener6257]

Very good to know!

[@kc-vf4lp]

Can you do a lesson on heal down please. Heal down feels way more comfortable to me but playing heal looks faster. I'm guessing heal down is just as quick if you're playing that way?

[@thomasrowe3496]

I use a Gilbrator gas bicycle seat throne. I don’t currently use my backrest. Ok, we adjusted our thrones… now how high should our snare be and should they be slightly angled?

[@mikebauman904]

I’m an older drummer (40’s) with sub-optimal posture, so I’ve grown to appreciate the bicycle seat with a back rest. I’m definitely going to go back to my setup and try out the 2:1 and 3:1 measurements. Love your content!

[@ZeeroDubs]

Same. Early 40s and have pretty bad back problems. I have to find ways to force myself into good habits.

[@wii3135]

Bicycle seat, heal up player. I'm a short guy 5' 3" , 155 lbs. I use a corkscrew bicycle seat with no back, because I can set on the middle of the seat and have clear space under my legs, with the seat is cut away. Rule 2:1 and 3:1 are spot on. Good lession.

[@jcdrums2798]

curious drumming shoes🤔

[@jadedillon5201]

Also female, also like my bicycle seat. Maybe its the shape of women? Hips are further apart. Also older and really like my backrest, though in the midst of playing don’t lean back against it. And air suspension really works for me, would strongly recommend the extra expense.

[@juhapeltola8232]

The best way is to have hard drum throne so you can feel your ass bones when you sit. If you don't feel them on your throne you know instantly if you are leaning on any direction.

[@andrew88185]

L.L. Bean moccasins are the best.

[@seanwalsh999]

Try different kick pedals, price is no indicator of quality my cheap Donner pedal beat my Mapex.

[@RustyKnorr]

I can't take anyone serious that plays in F'ing slippers. 🤡

[@Anastaecia]

You use what works. Look into what famous drummers wear or don't. I bet you'll be shocked at the variety. I personally prefer the feel of barefoot, like Rick Alan, but I like a thin sock (at least on my bass foot) for the slide doubles.

[@alancarver2511]

If you have back pain, it's because you don't have a backrest and NOT because you sit too low. Don't use a backrest if you want to be like everybody and go on blogs on drummers with back pain.

[@steveevelyn5175]

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[@steveevelyn5175]

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