I appreciate the clarity on this. I've sat in a big band where Victor Jones was playing, and I not only noticed his feathering, but I actually felt it somehow - he wasn't being all Buddy Rich with it either (in my opinion, Buddy Rich was amazing, but his bass drum technique was not really feathering). I had to look back at what Jones was doing because I couldn't believe it - he was playing softly, but somehow the impact was stronger than the volume...if that makes ANY sense. LOL. Thanks for this!
very nice that you touch upon this topic quincy. i saw tony, elvin and art play, up close years ago and a BIG revelation to me was to see that they ALL feathered their bass drums.
Quincy, not sure if someone told you here in comments, but.... when you come out of the first cut at 1:23 , your volume drops a bunch, and its hard to hear what youre saying.
Hi there, I just found your videos and watched a couple, great work. Do you have one about... losing tempo in fills? I have a metronome--that's how I know I'm speeding up! Any tips on psychology or mentality, or why this is a common problem?
Hey Q, thanks so much for this lesson. How essential would you say feathering is to playing bop? I've never rally taken the time to learn my comping with the feathered bass drum and I wonder if people notice it's missing?
Hey! Love all your videos! Two questions: 1) Regarding the hi-hat technique, i am used to playing that way but some people have commented on my playing claiming i am "smashing" the hihats when playing heel up and bouncing the leg. Do you switch technique when going for a softer sound? 2) I see that you are pushing the beater in to the head when you are feathering, is that something you use most often? Because if you listen to guys like Greg Hutchinson and john riley, they are pretty clear about never pushing the beater into the head. Thanks!
Great video on an often overlooked topic! Do you have some more exercises you could recommend for feathering the bass drum? I am also curious to hear your thoughts on tuning the bass drum to get the best tone for feathering. Super swinging as always!!!
TheSnarestrainer Sorry for the delay but I appreciate your comment. The best way to work on feathering the bass drum is to just do it A LOT, whenever possible. But if it's getting in the way of your time keeping, then don't do it on gigs. Just in sessions and when you practice. You can also just isolate the feet to make sure your left and right feet are solid and synced up. Good luck!
Quincy Thanks Quincy! I am curious to hear your take on how to tune the bass drum for feathering and what kind of drum head you prefer; Maybe for a future video if you find the time... thanks for the great playing!
Hey Quincy, very helpful indeed, thank you! It would be great if you could talk about expanding vocabulary, I face a problem where very few things I practice become a part of my vocabulary while actually playing, the rest is all gone!
Question: at uptempos, do you still do that with your left leg at very fast tempos? I find that it helps my time have more impact at tempos below 200, but above, and especially at the extremes (300+), trying to move my left foot in that way just hinders the time, in my experience. Should I practice playing that way at very fast tempos or is that a waste of time?
colourfulwithaU Sorry for the delayed reply but yup, I pretty much have the quarter note pulse going at all tempos. It's a natural subconscious thing that I don't think about. The more you force yourself to do it, the more nature it will become; even at the upper up tempos. Good luck!
bedlam6666When you're not comping on the bdrum, then that's when the feather takes place. Yes, I always feather unleass I'm going for more of an open feel. Good luck!
Great tip! Thanks!
Your videos are timeless Maestro. Always going back to the basics. Thank you
You laid it out so well man. Never had time explained to me that way.
Thanks John. You're not THEE John Robinson, are you? LOL!!
I appreciate the clarity on this. I've sat in a big band where Victor Jones was playing, and I not only noticed his feathering, but I actually felt it somehow - he wasn't being all Buddy Rich with it either (in my opinion, Buddy Rich was amazing, but his bass drum technique was not really feathering). I had to look back at what Jones was doing because I couldn't believe it - he was playing softly, but somehow the impact was stronger than the volume...if that makes ANY sense. LOL. Thanks for this!
That's an example of perfect feather! Thank you sir.
Nice video man, keep it up!
very nice that you touch upon this topic quincy. i saw tony, elvin and art play, up close years ago and a BIG revelation to me was to see that they ALL feathered their bass drums.
Jeez man, those work boots, and those heavy duty pedals. Really shows you can be dynamic on any kit.
This is great for me Quincy. Thank you .
Hi Quincy
I'm a french drummer.
I know your videos for a little while. Great job!!!
What is your cymbal set-up? Love it.
Thx for answer.
Thanks Quincy loving all these videos. You're a great teacher!
Thanks Drew!
great lesson! thanks!
Awesome video. Thanks for sharing
Awesome! Thanks for the lesson
Quincy, not sure if someone told you here in comments, but.... when you come out of the first cut at 1:23 , your volume drops a bunch, and its hard to hear what youre saying.
This is a superb lesson thanks
Hi there, I just found your videos and watched a couple, great work. Do you have one about... losing tempo in fills? I have a metronome--that's how I know I'm speeding up! Any tips on psychology or mentality, or why this is a common problem?
Thanks so much, very helpful!
Thanks for the lesson. Do you recall the batter side bass drum head you're using in this video? Sounds amazing!
Quincy is a beast.
Very good lesson ! Thanks
awesome !
awesome vids man
Hey Q, thanks so much for this lesson. How essential would you say feathering is to playing bop? I've never rally taken the time to learn my comping with the feathered bass drum and I wonder if people notice it's missing?
Hey! Love all your videos! Two questions:
1) Regarding the hi-hat technique, i am used to playing that way but some people have commented on my playing claiming i am "smashing" the hihats when playing heel up and bouncing the leg. Do you switch technique when going for a softer sound?
2)
I see that you are pushing the beater in to the head when you are feathering, is that something you use most often? Because if you listen to guys like Greg Hutchinson and john riley, they are pretty clear about never pushing the beater into the head.
Thanks!
Thanks and Blessings!!!
Hi Quincy! Many greetings to you and just wanted to say I liked this video!
All the best
P
Phil Maturano MUCH respect to you, your teaching and playing! I really appreciate the love.
Big hugs Quincy! Thank you for the kind words and I hope we can hang soon!
Great video on an often overlooked topic!
Do you have some more exercises you could recommend for feathering the bass drum?
I am also curious to hear your thoughts on tuning the bass drum to get the best tone for feathering.
Super swinging as always!!!
TheSnarestrainer Sorry for the delay but I appreciate your comment. The best way to work on feathering the bass drum is to just do it A LOT, whenever possible. But if it's getting in the way of your time keeping, then don't do it on gigs. Just in sessions and when you practice. You can also just isolate the feet to make sure your left and right feet are solid and synced up. Good luck!
Quincy Thanks Quincy!
I am curious to hear your take on how to tune the bass drum for feathering and what kind of drum head you prefer; Maybe for a future video if you find the time... thanks for the great playing!
Hey Quincy, very helpful indeed, thank you!
It would be great if you could talk about expanding vocabulary, I face a problem where very few things I practice become a part of my vocabulary while actually playing, the rest is all gone!
Tarang Poddar Thanks for the comment. I'll consider it for sure for future videos. Good luck!
Thanks Jean!
Goddamn man ur fucking amazing!!!!!! 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
very nice videos man…very helpful…just out of curiosity: what kind of drums n cymbals do you play?
Emanuel Wiemans Yamaha Recording Custom
TheSingolarmente Emanuel got it. Yamaha Recording Customs.
Question: at uptempos, do you still do that with your left leg at very fast tempos? I find that it helps my time have more impact at tempos below 200, but above, and especially at the extremes (300+), trying to move my left foot in that way just hinders the time, in my experience. Should I practice playing that way at very fast tempos or is that a waste of time?
colourfulwithaU Sorry for the delayed reply but yup, I pretty much have the quarter note pulse going at all tempos. It's a natural subconscious thing that I don't think about. The more you force yourself to do it, the more nature it will become; even at the upper up tempos. Good luck!
Do you still feather the bass drum at faster tempos like medium up and blazing?
Slow to up tempo yes. Blazing fast, HELL NO! Great question Eboy.
do you always feather when you play out? Do you drop bombs off of the feather?--did the bops guys feather and drop bombs? GREAT videos, man…thank you.
bedlam6666When you're not comping on the bdrum, then that's when the feather takes place. Yes, I always feather unleass I'm going for more of an open feel. Good luck!
Those feet in the end are swinging!
Thank you. If we’re not swinging in our feet, it makes it much harder to swing in our hands!
Stephen Hawkins couldn't have explained time any better!
Thank you Alex!
Just a heads up, these videos are poorly EQ'ed, literally just burst my ear drums out
Ha! Sorry about that. I was still figure everything out back then.
love the demonstrations but man the bass drum is waay too tight lolz
Isaac Temple that’s what a bop kick sounds like bro
Thanks and Blessings!