Technique Fundamentals-Feet

Heels-Up Technique
Drummers typically play the pedals in two ways: “heel-down”, in which the foot covers the entire footboard and the stroke is made by a push from the ankle; and “heel-up”, in which the ball of the foot sits about midway down the footboard and the stroke is made more with a throw from the entire leg.
I used to teach students that either way was fine, but I have since changed my mind on that. For all but the quietest of playing, I say that heel-up is the “correct” way to play. This is at least true physically. Our ankle joint is constructed in such a way as to let our foot rock, not flap. The only way to let that happen in a kineisiologically correct way (how about that?) is to get the heel up. It doesn’t need to be very high, but it does need to be off of the heel plate.

Positioning
Begin by sitting up straight, with the thighs about parallel to the ground. Many drummers sit way too high. Don’t support yourself with your feet; let your rear end support you. Your legs need to be free to work without tension.
Your feet rest on the pedals with the ball of the foot sitting just a little higher than the center of the footboard. They “float” with the pedal. Your heels should be maybe an inch off the ground or a little less.

The Stroke
The pedal is moved by a “throw” from the entire leg. You leg is a muscle group and is meant to be used that way. Multiple hits are played by using the throw for the first note and then rocking the foot at the ankle to keep the beater going-just like we do with the sticks.

The Exercise
To work on the stroke, we will play a measure of sixteenth notes with each foot. If you are a double bass player, use both pedals; if you are not, be sure to play the hi-hat with a tight “chick” sound, not a “splash.” Set the metronome between 40-60 beats per minute, and play four strokes on each beat. count, “1 e and a 2 e and a 3 e and a 4 e and a” with each foot. Play evenly and feel the bounce of the beater.

Practicing the Foot Exercise
Play this exercise 50-100 repetitions. One repetition is a measure of sixteenths with both feet. As with the hands, count repetitions by substituting the rep number for “one” in your counting. Remember, counting out loud is important (see Mangini’s Rhythm Knowledge).
Remember not to lean back!

Supplemental Exercise
Heel-up technique uses a lot of lower ab and hip action. Do your leg raises and squats!