One of Gods worst creations... *rant*

**mja61** · October 18th, 2005, 12:45 AM

I know what you mean, Kurt. I didn't have a double pedal until I had been playing about 15 years.

On the one hand, I'm glad I didn't have it early on. By not having that "crutch" available, it forced me to focus on developing my single-pedal technique. More importantly, it forced me to understand how proper technique works. On the other hand, it would have been nice to have an additional 15 years playing a double pedal. As was mentioned earlier, I couldn't believe how bad I sucked when I first got it. I thought I would have been better out of the box, and would have developed my facility more quickly on it. I still feel like I've only scratched the surface.

It seems that young players who start out on a high-end kit miss out on an old-school dimension of playing the instrument. It's hard to go back and learn how to pull different textures out of a ride cymbal, for example.

Even if I had my dream drumkit, Bernard Purdie could still kick my ass on a set of five gallon buckets!!

**Vdrummer** · October 18th, 2005, 07:30 AM

I too believe a double pedal offers more ways for us to express ourselves. Hopefully, we'll do it with taste. Plus, even if you never want to play double bass type music, it's an excellent tool for developing your hi-hat coordination.

**LDGuy** · October 18th, 2005, 02:40 PM

Totally agree with all said here. What's worse is a load of kids i know think that more expensive "better" drums/hardware will make them play better. Like buying an iron cobra is going to change anything with these guys! I wish people would take a more sensible approach to drums. Practice on what you have, and make that sound good. A good drummer can make anything sound good.

**McKenzie** · October 18th, 2005, 11:18 PM

What is the difference with stinking up the joint with one pedal or 2. I have heard more drummer's sound awful with one pedal than those with a double pedal or 2 kick drum's etc. I really do not get the point of the post as it relates to a double kick. And I agree there are as many stylistically one dimensional musicians who play JUST jazz as there are who play JUST metal or pop etc. Being a one dimensional JAZZ artist hold's no more weight than being a one dimensional ROCK artist.

**LDGuy** · October 19th, 2005, 02:22 PM

But i dont think that's what people are saying. I think "having more than one dimension" is not what we're really getting at here, more the misconception among young drummers that having a double pedal makes you play better (which is a difficult term anyway). Most kids i know would say that someone who plays with more chops is better than someone who doesn't. It doesn't really go much deeper than that. That's why there are so many drummers obsessed with Slipknot because Joey Jordison plays 20 gazillion notes in every bar. It's not even tasteful metal playing. It's too much. Most beginner drummers would say "who?" at the name Steve Gadd, but would know Lars Ulrich. So a lot of young players are led to the misconception that having a double pedal gives you power.

But i know a load of guys who wouldn't think this. It doesn't apply to everyone in that age band, and i dont think we should generalize that much. I'm in that age band for Christ's sake!

Personally, i think a double pedal gives you more options, but i try to avoid doing loads of silly hand-foot combinations. They're cool, but intensely boring. It's part of your musical instrument. If they invented a saxophone that could play both the tenor and alto ranges, i dont think people would hold back from playing it (as though it wasn't meant to be played, just like a double pedal isn't supposed to be played in jazz), but equally i dont think people would think it unfair that the other guy had this weird sax, and they had a normal one, if they were going to trade solos. I think it's a problem amongst drummers that we try and look to compete, and not be musical. Usually it's the beginners who think that fast is the best you can be. Musicality isn't even touched on. With most other musicians (probably excluding some rock guitarists), musicalilty is the important thing. You dont have "World's Fastest Trumpeter" do you?

I think one-dimensionality is a problem we have to deal with, but i dont think it's as big as problems about musicality. After all, people have their opinions (which is why some people are one dimensional), but if they're not willing to formulate opinions about playing sensibly, how can we ever get to that point? If we're not careful, drumming could start revolving in a vicious circle.

**Jean-Paul** · October 19th, 2005, 02:39 PM

"World's Fastest Trumpeter" is "Dumbo" the elephant. I started with Gadd who? And it wasn't the only name who? I will die learning but at least I am learning. And I play a double pedal [img]wink.gif[/img] It is a toy! [img]tongue.gif[/img] But I play it <s>when I want to</s> when the music requires it.

**Randy walker** · October 19th, 2005, 04:43 PM

when i saw the topic i thought maybe this had to do with WIVES........... [img]wink.gif[/img]

**chrisbrady** · October 19th, 2005, 05:22 PM

I hear ya brother Randy! [img]graemlins/cry_smile.gif[/img]

**Randy walker** · October 19th, 2005, 06:11 PM

hey, he did say "worst creations"........... [img]biggrin.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

**Vdrummer** · October 20th, 2005, 03:38 AM

I have no problem with young drummers lacking taste, playing too many notes and loving Slipknot. It's a stage that lots of drummers go through. At some point they may gain insight into dynamics, restraint, groove, etc. It requires more experience and maturity to appreciate the more subtle attributes of drummers like Gadd, Bill Stewart, or Vinnie (when he's not blowing chops). In the case of Jazz drummers, I'm sure lots of guys grew up worshipping Krupa or Rich, when there were more subtly tasteful drummers out there worth emulating. I'm sure lots of guys here grew up loving Neil Peart, Portnoy or Lars. Nothing against those guys, they are all intense players, but none of them are the paradigm of taste or restraint.

Overplaying can be just another part of the process of learning and I'm glad they're practicing ANYTHING. You can't easily get a 14 year old into Lamb Of God to appreciate what Bill Stewart is doing. To their ears, the music sucks, the guy never HITS the drums and he's got slow feet - or rather foot. From their perspective, they're right. From an old guy perspective, they're young, obnoxious and tasteless.