Does anyone lean back when they double pedal??

[jimi]

I find that sometimes when i'm doing the faster double bass, i might start to lean back, and when i try to correct it (lean forward again) i put too much weight on a pedal and end up missing a note.
my legs are a bit above being parallel to the ground and i play heel up. perhaps i'm using too much leg and need to put a bit more ankle action in to keep me from lifting my thighs too much? I'm not sure really. please help!!:(

[jonberg]

Hi Jimi...on the clinic (that you will get in a week or so) with Virgil, he explains how the balancepoint changes when he goes for doublebass...he said that it´s something that the body just do naturally after working on it a lot, so Virgil leans back a bit when he plays doublebass, but it isn´t something that he thinks of, if I understood him right.

Me myself are trying to find that balancepoint and it´s just a matter of patience and experimenting I think...
...good luck :)

[v1rotate]

Of course when you start doing double bass work the only think that WAS between you and the seat was your buttocks and your thigh just below the buttocks. Now when you start double basing, both thighs are moving so the body has to balance on the buttocks. When you play single bass, your left thigh helps with the balance on the seat.

You should try those seats that look like a bicycle seat, maybe they might be better suited for alot of double bass work rather than just the standard round seats.

[jimi]

I have a bicycle seat, i find i like to sit forward in it to free up a bit more space for my thighs to move, the balance is better when i sit into the seat more but i guess its a matter of finding a happy medium.
i just wanted to hear opinions to find out if i was doing something severely wrong! so thanks for the replies:)

[GroundZero]

Originally posted by jimi
I have a bicycle seat, i find i like to sit forward in it to free up a bit more space for my thighs to move, the balance is better when i sit into the seat more but i guess its a matter of finding a happy medium.
i just wanted to hear opinions to find out if i was doing something severely wrong! so thanks for the replies:)

Hi Jimi, I also use the bicycle seat and find that to be the best when playing double bass. I know what you mean about the balance stuff...I try to keep my back as straight as possible when playing, but when the tempos are above 190 bpm and I am doing constant 16th notes...then I am leaning forwards, maybe I use too much the whole leg...but now will practice doing those fast stuff only using my ankle, not so much leg, hard thing to do for longer periods of time. =) Need practice, practice and practice...

[v1rotate]

If you look at Virg when he plays, he doesn't slouch over the kit, back is straight and one VERY important thing with respect to traditional grip holders, he doesn't let his left shoulder drop. Compare him with other T Grip players.

[jonberg]

Yeah v1rotate, that´s an important aspect with the shoulder.
I´m a traditional-grip player and seeing photos and videos from my playing, I drop my left shoulder which makes my back hurt sometimes...I do some stretch and workouts exercises to prevent that. Weckls shoulder is WAY down the floor :)

[v1rotate]

jonberg,

If you have a look at Vinnie his shoulder is way down as well. Weckl is dropped as well. I guess these players must have some amazing back muscles or just got used to it. I wouldn't recommend keeping it that way though.

[DerNeue]

I have a few questions:

a) I discovered myself that I tend to lean backwards a little when playing doublebass. It is not really visilble. I then start to tuck in my lowerback a little so my weight rests more on the stool than on the pedals. Is that the way it is supposed to be?

b) My knees move outward when I play on the twin pedal. I do not know if I should change. I mean I could instead pull them back together so that my calves are perfectly upright seen from behind. I was able to move the pedals closer because of that. Any ideas or tips on that? I mean maybe it no good to have the knees like this.

[roxz]

If every stroke is done good, than I don't see a problem.

My posture differs alot at all the speeds I do. If it comes natural than its ok. If you force yourself to sit different than I think you're doing it wrong.

Do back exercises and crunches. It will help.

I do think your knees always should be right above the pedal plate. That's where the power has to go to

[king_chicken]

i find lean back when i play fast double bass, but im playing my fast stuff heel down, and yes i should be practicing proper technique and i find that this isnt tight because i sort of build up the speed.

[mrnuclearpants]

I completely agree with the "back straight" stuff above. Also, v1rotate, something about ur name tells me that ur a pilot...what do u fly?