foot placement

Hi guys!

Just thought I'd ask your opinion(s) on this one. I have always found it comfortable to play heel down on the hi hat, whilst playing heel up on the kick drum. I have never really had any problems with this, but I kno that a lot of players use either both feet heel up or both feet heel down. I just wanted to know whether this would have any effect on posture?

Thanks
Joe [img]wink.gif[/img]

Joey T,

Gonna try this again; my last reply didn't take...

You've touched on a very important balance issue, IMO. I actually play heel-up AND heel-down at different times depending on the music. But one thing that I find myself doing often is putting my heel down with one foot while the other heel is up, just to stabilize my balance. It works great and takes far less energy and effort than trying to keep both legs "up" all the time (which puts extra stress on my back and recruits more and bigger muscle groups). So, my humble advice is keep at it! However, you may want to try working BOTH feet heel-up and heel-down, just so you have the proficiency and the flexibility to do it either way should the need arise.

One more thing. Uzbekistan? Wow, cool! Are you stationed there or something? Just curious.

-Tom

Hey Tom!

Thanks for the reply! One of the problems I have encountered using this kind of playing is not getting enough power using electronic hi hat triggers, however as I usually play acoustic, this isn't much of an issue. By the way I'm not from Uzbekistan, I must have clicked on the wrong country [img]redface.gif[/img] . I am actually from Wales in Great Britain.

Joe Taylor

Do you totally relax your leg when you play, as in once you are done with a movement do you keep poised for the next movement by keeping your leg "cocked" or do you release the tension?

If it works, don't fix it. You may eventually use both heels up, but this is something that will naturally occur, just like any new technique. Your body will do what it has to do, as it adapts itself to the situation. [img]graemlins/dish.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ October 15, 2004 09:08 AM: Message edited by: FlamTriplet ]</font>

Thanks for all the replies!

Normally when I play I keep both feet in heel down position, but then as I am about to make a stroke I raise my bass drum foot upwards as I am about to make the stroke. I sometimes also play both heel down but I have found that it hurts the front muscles in my leg. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks guys!
Joe T

Thanks for all the replies!

Normally when I play I keep both feet in heel down position, but then as I am about to make a stroke I raise my bass drum foot upwards as I am about to make the stroke. I sometimes also play both heel down but I have found that it hurts the front muscles in my leg. Is there a reason for this?

Thanks guys!
Joe T

Ooops! Double post [img]redface.gif[/img] . I know this might be a bit off topic, but what do you think of the lower end dw and sonor pedals, such as the DW 4000 and 7000 series?

The only reason is because they aren't used to that motion and being used. If it feels like a burn then it isn't bad. They will get used to it.

Hey matricks!

Another question I have is about how far away to sit from the pedals, and how far down the drum stool. I see some people sitting quite close to the kit, where I prefer to sit further back. Is this just a matter of preference? And what are the pro's and cons of sitting further backwards/forwards.

Thanks in advance!
Joe