The Reason Your Bass Drum / Kick Doubles are Trash - Drum Lesson

[@VerkoAviarhidea]

Bold of you to assume I can do doubles

[@uthatoneboii2664]

I would like to order a big mack

[@94crx31]

sir this is a Wendy's

[@starlord1177]

@@94crx31 no it’s Taco Bell sir how may I take your order

[@94crx31]

lemme get a fuckin uuuuuuuuuuuuh

[@jonathansnowden439]

@@94crx31 lmaoooo

[@yuriselukoff]

Thank you! I’m totally onboard with this technique. I’m a beginner drummer, and fast double kicks used to kill me. A month ago, I switched from one teacher to another, the new guy watched me playing on the very first lesson, and the first thing he told me to try is this exact technique. I came back home, practiced it for an hour, and from that moment on I’ve been kicking those fast doubles like a boss! Very easy! And loud too!

[@JoshMerhar]

Thanks for watching!

[@chaddavis5787]

How do you get at fast speed with chopping

[@joeforbes2885]

@@chaddavis5787 practice the chops from slow tempos to fast. That's the only way I know of, I doubt there is a shortcut.

[@daveprice5911]

​@@joeforbes2885yep. to add to this, never ever underestimate super slow practice, put some good time into playing things slow af. And don't rush upping your bpm, make sure you are playing comfortably and cleanly before you go to the next bpm

[@grberkh]

The visual is a godsend

[@theguyof360]

real

[@kingskidgirl2]

I didn't think I'd EVER get the slide technique, then one day I noticed I was doing exactly that: trying too hard. I needed to utilize the spring motion of the pedal coming up from that initial 'push', to make the second stroke effortless. There's a definite feel to it. Once it clicks, it's like "Oh THAT'S what they're on about!" 😁

[@Ultra-Collector]

Finally someone teaching this on a normal pedal! I’m sick of people easily moving 300+bpm on a $1000+ Trick and or magnetic trick pedal and telling new drummers that this is possible for them if only they use their techniques and method! A first year drummer dies not understand trick pedals yet and are much less likely to ever attain those kicks! Thise are half stroke,half rebound full force ballistic pedals you’re seeing in other videos! This vid is more real world and much more valuable! Thanks Crisis

[@WavePotter]

Nice touch showing the smaller pedal and debunking the rumors!

[@DevinJuularValentine]

So useful. Every time I have seen someone do this it's been on long board pedals with size 10 billion feet, so you clarifying it's not the pedal or foot size helps me know it's got to be the mechanics of the movement and to keep trying.

[@ajb-drums]

Former lifelong try to hard person here. Slowing down, relaxing, and firming up your technique is the way. Great video and love the exercise near the end. Definitely stealing that for my practice.

[@JoshMerhar]

Yeah, forcing yourself to stay loose is much easier said than done. Thanks for watching!

[@whythebob]

I watched so many slide technique videos. Yours was so so easy to understand. Thank you so much!

[@RexBown-m7o]

Your words actually motivated me cause I used to think I'm the only one to watch almost every lesson on this technique and still ending up with confusion but thanks for clearing out the issue that it's not only me struggling with this techniques🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ChromeJHawk]

Good job on explaining this technique. Also showing straight and swung 16th. Kudos!

[@JoshMerhar]

Thanks for watching!

[@nfaaudio8412]

Yes mate! I've been trying for ages and youre totally right, i was trying too hard. Thankyou, this improved my double kicks in about 2 mins

[@GianMayI]

U a real one I been hammering them out for years

[@JoshMerhar]

Just gotta stay loose. Thanks for watching!

[@gaulvankey2678]

I honestly can’t thank you enough. Earlier today I wasn’t able to play any doubles without tending up and getting off beat, but now getting them out is a breeze.

[@CSSZiegler]

This technique is my signature groove that all musicians turn their heads trying to find my other kick pedal when it's only just one pedal i have

[@thewigon]

Samuel Ziegler dude, once you can do triple kicks you feel soo much cooler, cause people typically think I’m using a second pedal or kick

[@qhajajsshsks6107]

Mia Khalifa

[@nternetrat]

sick haha!

[@CSSZiegler]

@@thewigon I know what you mean bro

[@graceluvsbigred]

ahhh tysm!! i've been struggling with doubles for awhile since im a new drummer. i'm currently getting the hang of this technique, tysm!!!!!!

[@matthiasrambally1899]

I would say the biggest thing that hindered me for years was trying to hard to go fast too soon .....the best thing is to start slow and stay there for like a month getting everything down till it becomes muscle memory then slightly increase the speed every two weeks

[@briiakarii]

This is the best video I've seen yet showing and explaining this.

[@howtoteachscience]

I'm working my way into a solid intermediate player and this is very timely. I will share it with my Learning Drummers group and get started on this this week. I'm working on some Bonham stuff and getting ready for a show in December. These kinds of bass beats are necessary for that. Thank you for this.

[@JoshMerhar]

Thanks for watching and happy practicing!

[@PeterKudelin]

this is actually an incredible video. all the others ones i was having marginal luck with but i practiced this for like 5 minutes and now feeling SUPER EXCITED. thank you

[@jimenezd0700]

Excellent video. I’ve been playing for a long time as a weekend warrior drummer and the kick drum is always the most difficult. You’ve helped me tremendously with getting different kick drum sounds and beats and of course speed kills

[@JoshMerhar]

I'm glad you find this stuff helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@AllezJuniorTennisMagazine]

Thank you for this video. Been struggling with double strokes for decades until this vid. Helped perfectly

[@absolutearcher]

Thanks man, this cleared everything up for me. My doubles sound great now!!

[@cardboardboat5831]

Helped a lot thanks. I feel somewhat confident with my doubles now!

[@boynamedlen]

Very useful! As a beginner, it's hard to figure out what technique works best for me because they all feel unnatural, especially heel-toe. What you say is true, my fastest doubles are the ones where I'm not even trying and my leg just does a spasm x)

[@chaotic291]

Thanks man! This is really helpful for me and as someone who only uses heel-toe technique on a long board pedal for doubles

[@JoshMerhar]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you find this stuff helpful.

[@Sasfraz]

Are there downsides to heel toe?

[@JoshMerhar]

@@Sasfraz Nah. Heel-toe works better for lots of drummers, but this works better for me. Different strokes for different folks!

[@Sasfraz]

Josh Merhar oh okay thanks I just wasn’t sure if I should get outa the habit or not

[@Fortunefellas]

Great vid bro. Just bought a cheap drumset for more sounds for my arsenal and this was helpful. Finally I’m just getting the double kick but haven’t saw any of these variations.

[@shamdoggo]

Woah, never thought to use HKKH or KHHK patterns before. That's actually really useful, thanks for sharing!!

[@JoshMerhar]

You got it. Thanks for watching!

[@samguna]

Oh wow!! Will have to practice this...now this makes sense to me.

[@jakubskyba2375]

I like your videos, they actually helped me.. other people here are like here is how to do it but it somehow doesnt work like probably the mistake is on my side but when you explain it it somehow works for me thank you very much for these videos

[@bufftheson9578]

Maaan! Thank you! My foot is so heavy and slow. This was perfect.

[@JoshMerhar]

I'm glad you find this stuff useful. Thanks for watching!

[@ben4thewin]

I've been trying to increase my kick speed and I can do it pretty fast just normally, but when I'm in an actual song and I'm trying to play a little louder I find that I'm too heavy footed and I can't get the rebound that I need. This technique worked really well for me and I can actually play consistently now. Thanks so much for the vid!

[@ScrubbDoesStuff]

Absolutely INCREDIBLE video! This clears up sooo much heartache and doubles as amazing practice

[@teis79]

Prefect explanation dude, thanks a ton!!!

[@UKnowtheThing]

I think you've shown this the best I've seen it. I didn't understand it until now. Now if I can just play it...

[@thetruth156real3]

I’ve noticed that you have personally answered some people’s questions in the comments,,,that so cool of you man!👍👍😎

[@evoleye6065]

Been playing for ever..can't do this.. I will try this and see if it works for me. Hope to report back with positive results

[@snarecat3441]

Really good Josh! This is such a great video you made!!! Thx Josh🥁😎 Speedy as hell well fone

[@GIGMUSIC-o6z]

Awesome vid. Thanks for sharing

[@ckr430]

Yes this technique works on all pedals but I might add that it’s important to have the beater angle and spring tension set correctly. If the beater at a resting state is too close to the head it may be harder to use this method. Spring tension that is too tight or loose can present its own set of problems. This isn’t news to anyone that’s been playing awhile but perhaps for some less experienced players that are struggling with doubles.. Love all your videos much respect to you.

[@JoshMerhar]

Hey, thanks for watching! You're totally right. Gear should be set up in a way that it works with you. Fighting against gear can create bad habits and make playing more difficult in general.

[@thenieljohnson7752]

I Oh ok o didn't know that that's some great info

[@ckr430]

Thanks you for always sharing great content

[@howtoteachscience]

Thanks for mentioning that. I am going to start on this and I didn't think about these things. I'll check for that before I get too deep into it.

[@Doyledrumz]

Awesome tips! Thanks man 👍

[@JoshMerhar]

I'm glad you dig. Thanks for watching!

[@tcg1_qc]

I've only been playing for a few months (and learn by myself), but I think I've been doing this technique without even realizing it. It just felt natural when doing fast kick patterns

[@Shanoa]

thanks for the tips. I love the sound of your snare and kick

[@first_namelast_name274]

One of the best videos I’ve ever seen on this topic

[@SuperCleary]

This video has me figuring it out in 20 minutes. Thank you!!

[@ginostrings]

Great way of teaching this thank you.

[@tmiller499]

Fantastic demo of this technique and a nice practice exercise. Hopefully I'll get this down.

[@Chiroman527]

Much appreciated Lesson,Josh. What shoes do you wear? I find that the type of shoes have a bearing on "sliding" the foot in this manner? What level do you keep your Throne Height? and angle to the bass pedal? Stephen Clark on YT also describes this movement,with some Super Slo-Mo, but you are showing the progressive speeds applied. I like it. If I can the knack of this, I will be able to return the Double Bass pedals I just purchased. One is a Mapex DB pedal (main and Slave), the other is a Cannon Twin effect (similar to a Dualist II,) with a Heel and toe pad on the same pedal. That takes a lot to get used to. At 69 YO, and having returned to playing drums after a 51 YEar Hiatus, now in retirement, to play for enjoyment at Home, I find it difficult to master this quickness with my right leg... But I guess, Practice makes Perfect.... I'm not playing Gigs nor do I think I will be in the near future (unless someone starts up a Geriatric Band here locally by me ), but play to MY Music: CCR, Clapton, Petty, Stones, Beatles, Springsteen, Mellencamp, Steve Winwood, Eagles, Hollies, Kinks, Cars, and more....

[@jaymason7097]

What's up dude, I remember when you were at the front desk for the drum practice rooms at Berklee. Cheers.

[@leoehgartner]

Excellent lesson! Thank you Josh

[@fidelthomas2787]

Great video…. Perfect teaching!!

[@donpoitras5188]

Nice job !I finally got it and thanks👍🎶🎶🎶

[@Harry1garu]

Thanks! Pretty cool techniques.

[@1olpoorboy]

I wish I’d have discovered this a long time ago. Oh well. Now I wanna buy a kit just to do this

[@DZNTZ]

I appreciate this. A lot. I’ve never seen this broken down so well and made quite so approachable. I play heel down, so I’m always a little unsure of the bass double techniques that assume you’re playing heel up. But this seems like something I can easily transition to from a heel down position. Quick doubles is something I just haven’t developed well, and I’m ashamed to say I’ve avoided them a bit. I’m off to practice! Thanks man 🙏

[@katefokina5119]

Good Job!!👏🏼🥁

[@trevormcmanis]

American One Productions Rehearsal and Drum Studio in NJ gives this video two huge thumbs up 👍🏻👍🏻. Thanks for sharing 🥁

[@JoshMerhar]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrew007s]

Excellent video!!

[@jameslabs1]

Very helpful, thank you

[@jjmusgrove1851]

Great lesson. Enjoyed it. 🥁

[@joehoffrage]

This is great vs some of the others wherein you tap with the toe then drop the foot which I can’t perform as it becomes way too mechanical; question is about spring tension, is it better to use this with a more loose setting?

[@SunandSnowGardening]

Helpful. Thanks!

[@TooMuchTemper]

Holy crap this is a tremendous help. Ive been trying so hard to hit that double without matchin it with high hat.

[@noahgodines8704]

This helped me an insane amount

[@starlitekaraoke113]

Many of the old jazz greats say to play with shoes on instead of sneakers. Bernard Perdie is a big advocate of this too. I personally have always played with sneakers and it feels odd to play with shoes on, so I am going to assume it’s up to you and what your preferences are. I will play heal toe sometimes and it’s just unconsciously being done

[@herlufsewerin6020]

i feel like my foot gets stuck whilst sliding? what can i do to prevent this/ make the slide fluent

[@JoshMerhar]

Try being even lighter on your foot - it's crazy how light of a touch is needed! The motion is much more back/forward instead of up/down. If your foot gets stuck, it's likely because you're still putting too much pressure on the pedal.

[@jessenoneofyobussines7560]

The whole lateral notion he explained makes sense cant wait to focus on this

[@brockji5368]

Thanks this video was super helpful and really easy to understand 👍

[@mikepalmer1971]

Thanks this helps a ton!

[@shahfacekillah]

Cool lesson. I'll try it. RIGHT NOW!!!

[@Makerz-d5p]

Wow, beatiful intro! Very cool groove

[@stevenshook9138]

Where did you get the spring under the kick pedal??? I can't find one anywhere

[@JoshMerhar]

It comes installed on Tama Speed Cobras.

[@Sanbas87]

and you can buy it as well. cobra coil I believe it is calles

[@randyroderick]

My kick doubles were definitely trash. Your explanation really made this technique (that I've already tried before) stick. Thanks 🙏

[@abishakbhai738]

Thank you sir soo much I Am trying so much to learn double kick I can another ways easily but I learned to play drums based on hearing. Your video is a life saver 🫡

[@AlexRaptakis]

I'm a little late to the party, but I have a question. What happens if the first (tap) stroke is too weak? Sometimes the beater doesn't seem to reach the drum head...

[@nathanyazzie9044]

Thank you 😊

[@td-12kx53]

Great lesson!👍

[@mflance7197]

Now this is a kick ass video

[@boulas]

Thank you very much!

[@jimischland]

since years iam not be able to speed up my foot...now i have time(61 years...haa)....and i try hard step by step to learn the motions of the sliding technique. what i notice is that a little bit silicone oil on the pedals helps me to fix the motions... sliding ....slippery when wet.....the next step is to have a plain survise on my pedal. thanks for your teaching. thomas

[@brandonian6940]

If one has been practicing barefoot, then tries with a shoe on and now back to square one, is there a quick adjustment for this?

[@Timbales1979]

I love the Pearl SSC. I own one in Sequioa Red.

[@marcelfilbig1778]

i find this technique very useful as a beginner, however over time i found myself needing to learn a different technique to increase endurance, precission and specially the shuffle ba-bang sou d that is so important for the feel

[@SevanStick]

Exactly what i was searching for.

[@Plydrms]

Thanks again. Would you apply the slide technique to the "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin? I was thinking that's such an endurance workout, wondering if slide would reduce fatigue.

[@johnh5367]

Man, I must still be trying too hard or am not relaxed enough. Its the slide for the second stroke where I seem to get struck, I always have to lift my foot a bit and make my ankle do a second stroke as opposed to sliding my foot to get the second stroke - my shoe wants to stick to the pedal, it doesn't want to slide. Maybe I need to break it down into two parts: first the tap a the rear of the board, then just allow my foot to rest on the footboard and work on the slide separately. Argh. But congrats to those of you who got it quickly, gives me hope :)

[@starlitekaraoke113]

Great lesson

[@eddiecornell2386]

03:55 sounds like "Purple Stain" by RHCP

[@brianchisnell1548]

You otta try a mid 70's Slingerland Yellow Jacket. Double spring. Swings a solid wood beater with ease.

[@mcaralte3043]

bro thank you.. I am learning from this video.. i got progress... Thanks thanks....

[@nathan8911]

bro thank you sooo much the second i tried this i knew this was the one

[@edvanesch178]

That's the good stuff. They use this in a lot of those Gospelchop drumfills.

[@lobbyrobby]

Speed cobra 910? I'm a beginner drummer and trying to learn how to do this. The kick pedal that came with my drum set is the cheapest one Tama makes. I realize this is all about technique but will having a better pedal help at all?

[@luisfernando-mm3jt]

Nice work... The last permutations at 120 bpm the 2 stroke is a bit quiet... How to fix that?

[@RobVI]

Is there a technique for doubles with heel down

[@sergioandresrodriguezcor-nf6mk]

Excellent video, thanks. What do you consider is the best tension spring if I’m a beginner and I want to develop this technique. Also what do you consider best for an entry level pedal: Iron cobra 200, DW 2000 or Pearl P930. I appreciate your opinion

[@MetallicaRocksss]

I noticed at 3:23 you gradually start burying the beater. Is this inevitable at those speeds?

[@neilmoneymaker4875]

For me it took a few years from the time I started playing drums before I could do strong doubles on a single pedal. Some people ask about spring tension and all that stuff, and it's my opinion those things dont matter as much as repetition from practicing. The slide technique just came natural after I had played for a few years. I made sure I was not developing bad habits by asking and observing other more advanced drummers.

[@bobandgang5411]

Thank you for this video! Can I ask. Will there be a tap sound on the pedal board? Tap sound when you strike both notes.

[@edoardozampetti4601]

hi Josh I wanted to ask you if it can be useful to put some talcum powder under the shoe to glide better and have faster strokes.. thank

[@josephtetteh8493]

Wouldn't friction be a limiting factor for this technique?