IronCobraMan

i been doing quite well with this technique lately... but i have my foot slanted sideways , virgil style... i seen some drummers do the heel toe not slanted tho...aligned with the pedal...... is anyone here a heel toe expert..... if so... let me know wat tools u use to control this technique at all tempo ranges

CascaraLatin

I use also this technique. This technique is often use for nuances. So, you could begin to practice it by playing slowly for begining . Like an exemple you could do 8th's with the bass drum with 2 and 4 and Hi-hat. And, make sure that the mallets is aligned with the pedal.

CascaraLatin

sorry for the english i'm so bad

The_Setite

I find the easiest way for me is to line my foot up on the pedal and play in my socks, no trainers. Practising very slowly (16thsat 25 - 30 bpm) and concentrating on relaxing has really helped a lot. I can reach speeds of around 220 bpm doubles, as well as being able to execute flam accents, flam taps, paradiddles, 5,6,7,8 stroke rolls and ruffs etc. I never practice fast EVER. There is no point. The brain learns control from slow deliberate movements. This leads to efficient technique, which in turn gives endurance and power. Also, always practice your hands at the same time. I like to lead with my right (im a lefty) and play time while doing rudiments and groups on my feet.
I cant sing the praises of this technique enough. Concentrate on really getting good at each part of the stroke, heel drop then toe stroke separately. This helps overall control i find. Also, heel toe allows for very easy multi pedal orchestrations a la Thomas Lang. Keep going with it, its well worth it....

Trencherman

Yo ICM,

Check out Jojo Mayer's videos on www.drummerworld.com He demonstrates the heel-toe technique on a single pedal and his foot is clearly slanted. The more you turn your heel to the inside of your leg, the less your foot has to move to achieve the heel stroke. I guess it's side-to-side movement versus up-and-down moevement. T

vdreignsuponus1

yeah, i was just thinking about those videos! he demonstrates all of that stuff really well, but i never really got into the whole "heel toe" thing..

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Trencherman

Here's another thing -- instead of playing heel-toe doubles on both feet, try playing Rheel Lheel Rtoe Ltoe singles. That's gonna make some roar I'm sure, because Mayer does really fast 16ths with just the one foot... T

IronCobraMan

i already do that trench.... as far as power goes heel toe is the ****... but to gain serious speed on it... it takes alot of practice and control

Trencherman

I hear ya man. I have found that it actually depends a lot on the pedal that you use as well. I have an Iron Cobra double pedal (with double chain) and I can't do the heel-toe technique very well with it, but the SINGLE pedal that I use when I rehearse with one of my bands is like candy floss -- it's so light and I can do even sixteenths with it effortlessly (all the pedal and not my ability btw hehe...). It's just a cheap Mapex pedal, but it's so responsive and I love it.

I reckon that every pedal has a different response even if you spend hours messing around with the tension, the angle of the beater when it's steady etc. Some pedals just lend themselves to the heel-toe technique whilst others aren't all that good for it.

For a different approach, go and see tony medeiros's website. He developed his own style of heel-toe so that he could play rudiments with his feet, and he can -- the guy has got some chops btw. He argues that there's no better way to get two even and crisp sounding notes from one pedal than heel-toe, plus it makes an interesting open-close sound on the hi hat. I think the URL is www.tonymedeiros.com T

rkettner

My original heel toe technique video is now on Jared's website. It teaches the technique with slow motion video, and close up footage. If none of the free videos out there have helped out - you might consider checking it out. It's cheaper than a single private drum lesson... but if a free solution works for you - that's great.

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alencore

i think a longer pedal board would be good for heel toe technique.
those v-vuruk pedals lol what?

Denny

I found the heel-toe technique on lime wire.....for free
Denny

bateria

Dude...Tim Waterson...

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Drumcanman

Virgil was the first to do doubles at speed in a musical situation and in drumming and he inspired me to push it .....

I would not call myself an expert as I have NOT mastered it the way I want to yet.
I Learned the HT technique in the 80's but put it on the shelf till the mid 90's as my singles were better and had more control.
Had I had the patience to continue then I would be an EXPERT by now.

I am glad my Version of the heel toe and the transition to FULL HEEL strokes only has been helpfull and that NOW we see SO many videos of other drummers doing what I have been passing on...Hopefully someone will come along with another method and pass on their Knowledge to us drummers..
Keep sharing everybody.
Thomas LAng plays heel down for most playing and heel up for accents well you can simly bring your heel down and get a note with that too.

For heel to players try playing rhythmical patterns between your heel and toe on one foot and not just a roll between 2.
Hope this helps and God Bless
Tim
www.timwaterson.com