virgil's feet on Drum festival dvd

[candyman]

I have been watching the dvd from the Australian DrumFest and have been noticing when Virgil was using his double pedal he angles his right foot out on the footboard and I think he also does it with his left. Is there any particular reason for this?????

[jonberg]

I do that to when I play doubles...the reason I do it is because you don´t hit the footboard with your heel, and also I feel I get more power from it. I guess I started doing it seeing Virgil do it but it works for me to :)

[jimi]

I think the pedal feels different this way, maybe lighter but with the same action as the pedals being under your heels. but i'm the same as jonberg, i saw Virg and decided to try it for myself, and have become accustomed to doing it.

[candyman]

Yeah I started doing it also after I saw Virgil. I started with my right foot and have recently started to use my left foot. I have gained more control, speed, and balance.

Thanks for the replies.

[DoubleBass_Rob]

It also it might be because it gives the feel of playing 2 bass drums.

[morgenthaler]

He (Virg!) talks about his foot positions on the pedals in the Modern Drummer interview from june 1999! Check it out.

[alencore]

I think it's more like the hands uses the wrist as the foot uses the ankle for faster strokes.

[drumurderz]

Since I started double bass some years ago I have started playing with my feet a bit sideways just as Virgil has. Then when I saw Virgil do it it made me thinkj "Wow, he does that too." The reason I do it is because my foot feels like its hitting the "sweet spot" of the pedal when I angle it. Something about it enables me to feel the pedal better and play faster and with more power and control. I'd suggest trying it if anyone hasn't yet.

l8s