How to Improve Your Double Bass Drumming: A Practical Guide (With Music Transcriptions)
Build speed, endurance, and control with these focused exercises, technique tips, and essential double pedal insights.
Rodrigo Della Fávera from Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, CC BY 2.0
I wanted to write this article to help drummers improve their double bass skills.
I had transcribed popular metal bass drum patterns in the past, like 8 Heavy Metal Songs With Cool Double Bass Drum Patterns and 8 Mind-Bending Progressive Metal Double Bass Drum Patterns, and wanted to show how to get a good understanding of what is involved in playing double bass drums.
One or two bass drums?
A lot of drummers in metal bands use two bass drums. It is physically harder because you may not be able to position the bass drum exactly where you want it.
Double bass drum pedals became popular because they were more cost-effective for drummers who went on tour. It was simply cheaper to travel with one bass drum instead of two.
If you are starting out, I would recommend a double bass pedal.
Photo credit: Christian Nativo
Heel up or heel down?
The hardest thing about learning an instrument is all the opposing information on the Internet. From my experience, using the heel-down technique is better for playing double bass drums. It gives you speed and power. It will also help with endurance.
An important thing to point out is how high your heel should be off the pedal. Aim for an inch or two. Any higher will put pressure on your shins. Also, put your heels down when you are not playing. This is crucial to avoiding physical injury. Especially if you are playing and practicing for hours at a time.
Photo credit: Rob Brens
Where is the best place to play the bass drum pedal?
This is a difficult question because different brands have different length pedals. Sonor pedals are longer than Pearl and DW pedals. The most important thing to remember about the bass drum pedals is that they have a balance point, just like the stick. If you are too high, you will struggle to play fast; too low and you won't have any power. Take time to work out where the balance pedal is, then make sure that's where you constantly keep your feet.
Where do I start?
Most drummers have been playing for a few years before they decide to add a double pedal to their setup. This means their right foot has a few years more experience than their left foot, which is starting at the beginning.
I recommend playing several patterns, just with your left foot only. This will help you build coordination, strength, and endurance. This exercise looks easy, but I can assure you it isn't. Start at a slow tempo around 60 bpm, then try to eventually push it to around 110 bpm.
The next exercise will prepare you for making your drumming patterns sound even. If people have been playing drums with a single pedal for years, then introducing a double pedal, it is easy for their bass drums to sound uneven. This exercise will help your pedals sound even. It is playing every 16th note off beat with your LEFT foot only.
This is one of the first double bass patterns people learn. I wrote 2 versions of it. One with 8th notes on the hi-hats. The other with 1/4 notes. This will improve your coordination.
This pattern is similar to the song by Dream Theater, 'Pull Me Under'.
This next pattern has broken 16th notes. I recommend playing alternate footing (right foot, left foot) instead of playing doubles with your right foot. Although it's easier to play doubles with one foot, this exercise will greatly improve your coordination.
This pattern is similar to the Dream Theater song:
Being a great drummer means understanding subdivisions! Playing 16th note triplets is complex but possible with some consistent practice.
I've done 2 examples of this next beat again with 8th note hi hats and 1/4 note hats. It's a small difference that makes a big difference to the beats' feel.
This is very similar to the beat Lars Ulrich plays on the Metallica song 'One'.
In closing, remember that consistency is the key to playing double bass drums. Make sure you isolate your left foot to get it up to speed before playing both pedals together.
Until next time, keep practicing!
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
This section of the blog covers various subjects among the vast array of topics that revolve around the life of the active musician.
Interested in writing a story as a guest or joining the Musicngear team as a Contributing Author? Contact us at info+newauthor@musicngear.com
