As I watch your videos, I start to like them more and more. Here is what I am practicing. Set up a one or two bar groove. Play that groove for at least 64 measures with no deviation. Get in synch with it: let your mind and body groove with your groove. I am stunned at pop songs where practically the same 1 bar is played through the chorus and even the bridge, then eventually the entire song with barely a fill. Yet, that groove sets up the feel of the song. Always play like you have someone listening to you play. Make every note you play, matter. I was a percussion major, and I had an old Hungarian solfège teacher who always said, “Percussionists do not make music, they make NOISE.” Don’t give your audience a chance to think that. Make music on your drums. Always make music! Instead of playing a lot of stuff. Play to compliment your song. Some master speed. Some master groove. Some are 10x better than us. Tell your story though! Embellish that story over time. You have time!
There is a ton of wisdom in this approach. What makes percyssion difficult and unique from other instrument families is the rebound/lift required to play or re-attack. This smooth approach really allows your stick or beater to be where it needs to be to re-attack at the appropriate dynamic/rythm, give you a ton of control and freedom. Ultimately, I feel like we don't want to think about technique. It should be auto pilot so that we can focus on music. This approach really helped me start to figure that out. And it applies to EVERY aspect of percussion! Great lesson, thank you!
I often get unbalanced when I'm playing the kick drum at faster speeds. This video has a ton of useful information to rectify the issue. Thanks so much!
I like the way you break this lesson down. I can do kick double's as I have been practising it for many years, but we can always get better. I would be trying just to improve where I put the bass drum and on what beats. Say at around 160 upwards. One song that uses this is ' In the air tonight ' Phil Collins.
A song that made me realise my speed was lacking and I was choppy or sloppy: The Black Keys - Tighten Up. Thank you for so many of your to the point lessons with great exercises for basebuilding. Something I really needed after getting stuck like you mentioned.
Thanks for the lesson!. Now that I'm retired from my tech job, I'm returning to drumming after being away for 15 years. I was watching (and practicing) your video in prep to learn "Barracuda" by Heart (137 bpm). Your video is already helping, but I seem to have a problem with my foot creeping up the bass drum pedal even though I'm doing your other recommendations. (I'm using a Tama Iron Cobra, and the same thing happened with a Pearl P100. Experimenting more with different foot placement.)
Clean, fast doubles on Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times" has been a challenge for me. I play heel up and I'm thinking moving further away from bass drum might be the way to go. Appreciate your videos, Thank You.
I've been using this kick a lot lately. It's my most liked addition to pretty epic sounding breaks. Thank you for showing the tips to polish it further! Very helpful!
Oh wow what timing. Was practicing exactly this just today with 16th at 100 bpm. Having a lot of trouble doing it evenly across different patterns of hand-foot coordination.
Another great video! Looking forward to practicing this and applying it. First song that comes to mind is one I'm working on now. Smells Like Teen Spirit which has that quick double in the main groove and anything Bonzo as well.
The reason you push back the kick is too create a larger angle between your leg and ankle. So your kneecap is not over your ankle bone. So sit on a chair at 90 degrees. Lift you toes up. Probably lots of tension and degrees of freedom is restricted. Now move the seat back a bit so the knee cap is not over the ankle bone, probably like 120 degress. Lift toes, you will get less restriction. hope this helps
Great lesson! My goal… play the Eliane Elias version of Coisa Feita. The Bpm is a cooking 130, so I still have a way to go! Got to have tight BD doubles for samba - so will be putting this lesson to use - thanks!
I'm finding I need to change to heel down in order to bounce the beater properly and I can be quicker, however the fatigue on the top of my foot to the front of my leg is pretty high. Not sure if this is technique or simply needing to improve my strength and endurance though.
I haven't played in a while, but getting back into it. I was always a "heel up" player and I hear that's how most "pros" tell you to play. Looks like you are heel down?
My foot moves up the pedal and dead ends into the kick spring when I play. I have to keep looking down at my foot to check it which throws off my timing. I even put non-skid tape on the pedal which helped a little. I've tried several shoes with various treads with no luck. I'd a new learner playing heel down and play edrums. Any ideas? Thanks for your very informative videos.
Hi Stephen. Thanks for this video. You asked for songs that we are working on. My actual target is "Ace of spades" by Motörhead. Maybe you can tell me a "little secret". ;-)
I can do kick doubles fast, but I cannot for the life of me do nice even 8ths "Three+And" at 110 bpm or less. I always end up with Three+e instead and it's driving me crazy.
I don't understand why people complain about the timing of your videos... I mean a typical drum lesson would probably be around 30 minutes anyway, and I bet half of the people complaining wouldn't complain if they were being taught by someone in person!
As I watch your videos, I start to like them more and more.
Here is what I am practicing.
Set up a one or two bar groove. Play that groove for at least 64 measures with no deviation. Get in synch with it: let your mind and body groove with your groove. I am stunned at pop songs where practically the same 1 bar is played through the chorus and even the bridge, then eventually the entire song with barely a fill. Yet, that groove sets up the feel of the song.
Always play like you have someone listening to you play. Make every note you play, matter. I was a percussion major, and I had an old Hungarian solfège teacher who always said, “Percussionists do not make music, they make NOISE.” Don’t give your audience a chance to think that. Make music on your drums. Always make music!
Instead of playing a lot of stuff. Play to compliment your song. Some master speed. Some master groove. Some are 10x better than us. Tell your story though! Embellish that story over time. You have time!
Looking forward to getting into this one. Foot speed is what holds me back.
slow is smooth, smooth is fast
There is a ton of wisdom in this approach. What makes percyssion difficult and unique from other instrument families is the rebound/lift required to play or re-attack. This smooth approach really allows your stick or beater to be where it needs to be to re-attack at the appropriate dynamic/rythm, give you a ton of control and freedom.
Ultimately, I feel like we don't want to think about technique. It should be auto pilot so that we can focus on music. This approach really helped me start to figure that out. And it applies to EVERY aspect of percussion! Great lesson, thank you!
Your videos help me out so much. Your halftime shuffle video helped me, immensely!
Thank you Mr. Clark. Its funny how you're talking to me as if you just watched me angrily throw my sticks across the room and give up in frustration.
Just finished a 2 hour practice session- you read my mind!
Stephen, I really like your lessons! There are so many tutorials out there but yours are clearly structured and easy to follow. I do appreciate :o)
I often get unbalanced when I'm playing the kick drum at faster speeds. This video has a ton of useful information to rectify the issue. Thanks so much!
Burying the beater. Another thing that’s been holding me back for years. Another thing to work on along with my crappy left hand. Thanks Stephen.
Your videos are really great. I’m a new drummer and I’m really getting a lot out of these videos.
"In My Time of Dying" from Zeppelin is so awesome to play. Really puts the right foot to the test. Ratt's "Lay it Down" is another great exersize.
What is ratts
@@kenmarshall3221 the band....ratt
@@kenmarshall3221 yomama
@@kenmarshall3221 the mfs who sing round and round
I like the way you break this lesson down. I can do kick double's as I have been practising it for many years, but we can always get better. I would be trying just to improve where I put the bass drum and on what beats. Say at around 160 upwards. One song that uses this is ' In the air tonight ' Phil Collins.
A song that made me realise my speed was lacking and I was choppy or sloppy: The Black Keys - Tighten Up.
Thank you for so many of your to the point lessons with great exercises for basebuilding. Something I really needed after getting stuck like you mentioned.
Thanks for the lesson!. Now that I'm retired from my tech job, I'm returning to drumming after being away for 15 years. I was watching (and practicing) your video in prep to learn "Barracuda" by Heart (137 bpm). Your video is already helping, but I seem to have a problem with my foot creeping up the bass drum pedal even though I'm doing your other recommendations. (I'm using a Tama Iron Cobra, and the same thing happened with a Pearl P100. Experimenting more with different foot placement.)
Great Lesson and very timely. Thank you!
Nice tutorial Steven... good work.
You are the man! I have been trying to figure out how to play Poor Tom and this is exactly how thanks so much 👍👍
You have a fast, accurate, and powerful foot playing flat foot. Is that what came naturally? Good lesson, you have me headed to my kit
Clean, fast doubles on Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times" has been a challenge for me. I play heel up and I'm thinking moving further away from bass drum might be the way to go. Appreciate your videos, Thank You.
I've been using this kick a lot lately. It's my most liked addition to pretty epic sounding breaks. Thank you for showing the tips to polish it further! Very helpful!
stephen thanks so much man you provide so much specific knowledge and help us all for free
Really thanks for this kind of videos Stephen!! You create a lot of value for drummers and musicians 🤩
Blessed be thy alhorithms! 🔥 Just cursed my shitty lazy right foot and this is the first video when I open youtube! 😂
Great video and tips! I am always getting my students to sit back further to improve their bass drum technique!
Oh wow what timing. Was practicing exactly this just today with 16th at 100 bpm. Having a lot of trouble doing it evenly across different patterns of hand-foot coordination.
RHCP - «Tell me baby» is what I’m working towards.
Another great video! Looking forward to practicing this and applying it. First song that comes to mind is one I'm working on now. Smells Like Teen Spirit which has that quick double in the main groove and anything Bonzo as well.
The reason you push back the kick is too create a larger angle between your leg and ankle. So your kneecap is not over your ankle bone. So sit on a chair at 90 degrees. Lift you toes up. Probably lots of tension and degrees of freedom is restricted. Now move the seat back a bit so the knee cap is not over the ankle bone, probably like 120 degress. Lift toes, you will get less restriction. hope this helps
Great lesson! My goal… play the Eliane Elias version of Coisa Feita. The Bpm is a cooking 130, so I still have a way to go! Got to have tight BD doubles for samba - so will be putting this lesson to use - thanks!
3:48 place your foot 3/4 up the footplate
12:51 bounce the beater at slow speeds
24:16 exercises with doubles
Thanks, I like these videos but sometimes they go on and on without any real reason.
he use to overtalk things omg
I'm finding I need to change to heel down in order to bounce the beater properly and I can be quicker, however the fatigue on the top of my foot to the front of my leg is pretty high. Not sure if this is technique or simply needing to improve my strength and endurance though.
I haven't played in a while, but getting back into it. I was always a "heel up" player and I hear that's how most "pros" tell you to play. Looks like you are heel down?
Stephen you have help me not to burie the kick pedal
Learning intro to "We're an American Band". Wish me luck!
My foot moves up the pedal and dead ends into the kick spring when I play. I have to keep looking down at my foot to check it which throws off my timing. I even put non-skid tape on the pedal which helped a little. I've tried several shoes with various treads with no luck. I'd a new learner playing heel down and play edrums. Any ideas? Thanks for your very informative videos.
What’s with the beads on your snare head?
Hi Stephen.
Thanks for this video.
You asked for songs that we are working on. My actual target is "Ace of spades" by Motörhead.
Maybe you can tell me a "little secret". ;-)
Hi Stephen, seems like your batter head is on the tighter end..? I’m always tweaking it because I want a low end sounds but good rebound.
I can do kick doubles fast, but I cannot for the life of me do nice even 8ths "Three+And" at 110 bpm or less. I always end up with Three+e instead and it's driving me crazy.
My Hero by Foo Fighters
Plus I’ve been wearing my slippers shoes to feel the pedals as well
Baba O’Reilly lots of double and triple kicks.. Hope this helps!
Bleed speed
Goal: more comfort on Use Me - Bill Withers
I don't understand why people complain about the timing of your videos... I mean a typical drum lesson would probably be around 30 minutes anyway, and I bet half of the people complaining wouldn't complain if they were being taught by someone in person!
✌️🤘🤘
Of course it is good times bad times zeppelin
Step 1: Get some sweet ass slippers
Step 2: Move yo foot faster
Step 3: Relax in sweet ass slippers.
Please change shoes 😂
"Free" practice guide is a scam....
Most important video!
Just the video I needed, Stephen, how did you know? Thanks man :)