THE BEAST

Photo by Ryan 'O' Niel on Unsplash

Feeling daunted by mastering double pedal? You're not alone. I've been there, and I'm here to guide you through this metal music milestone. When I first started, the coordination and stamina required felt overwhelming. But with time, patience, and the right exercises, I was able to make significant progress.

This article offers practical exercises for building stamina, developing foot coordination, increasing speed, and establishing groove and timing. In a nutshell, mastering double bass drumming comes down to these key techniques.

Let's start your journey to powerful, resonating drumming now. 

And remember, many drummers nowadays prefer learning double bass online on platforms like Drumeo. It's a great way to learn quickly and get expert advice.

1: Stamina Exercises

In double bass drumming, stamina isn't just important—it's critical. Imagine running a marathon but with your feet swiftly alternating on those two pedals. The power of metal drumming comes from the ability to maintain that intensity over extended periods, and that's where stamina steps in. It's not about how fast you can go but how long you can keep the rhythm pumping.

Exercise 1: Steady Tempo Drill Set your metronome to a comfortable tempo, around 60-70 BPM. Play steady eighth notes on your double bass pedal at this tempo. Aim to maintain this rhythm consistently for at least 2-3 minutes. As you improve, gradually increase the BPM, ensuring you can keep the rhythm going for 5-10 minutes before upping the tempo. 

Exercise 2: Interval Training Drill At a comfortable tempo, play a series of notes (such as four eighth notes) on the double bass pedal. Rest for an equal amount of time, allowing your muscles to recover briefly. Repeat this on-off pattern for a set amount of time, gradually increasing the length as your stamina improves.

2: Coordination Drills 

Mastering double bass drumming hinges on solid foot coordination. Here's how to hone it:

Alternating Feet Exercise  

Hit the bass drum with your right foot, then your left. Start slow, focus on an even rhythm, then gradually increase speed. Common Challenge: We all have a dominant foot. Aim for balance - practice both feet equally.

Heel-Toe Technique 

Hit the pedal twice - once with the ball of your foot (heel up), once with your heel (heel down). Perfect for fast double bass patterns. Heads Up: These drills can be physically demanding. Don't rush. Consistency over speed - play slower and correctly rather than fast and loose.

3: Speed Building

 In metal drumming, speed is crucial, but so is precision. Fast, sloppy beats detract from the music rather than enhancing it. So, how do you boost your double bass drumming speed while maintaining control? 

Start Slow to Go Fast: Begin with a simple pattern at a slow tempo. Gradually increase the speed as you become more comfortable, but always prioritize precision over pace. 

Sprint Exercises: Short bursts of maximum speed (like sprints in fitness) push your limits and help you access higher speeds over time. Foot Technique: Experiment with 'heel up' and 'heel down' techniques. The former can increase speed, while the latter offers more control. 

Common Pitfalls: Avoid overplaying and excessive force, which can lead to injury and poor technique. Stay relaxed, use the natural rebound of the pedals, and be patient—speed development takes time. With steady practice and mindfulness, you'll eventually see your beats gaining velocity, adding intensity to your metal drumming.

4: Groove and Timing 

Exercising the groove and timing with a double bass pedal involves a systematic approach. Here's a step-by-step process: 

Basic Pulse Practice: Start with your metronome set at a comfortable tempo. Play steady quarter notes with each foot in turn (right-left-right-left), matching each note to the click. This will help you establish a basic sense of timing. 

Double Time Practice: Once comfortable with quarter notes, move on to eighth notes. This will feel like you're playing twice as fast. Remember, keep the metronome's tempo the same; you're increasing the speed of your playing, not the pulse of the music. 

Playing Along with Songs: Choose songs with a clear, steady rhythm, and try to play along with the kick drum parts. This will help you learn how to fit your playing into a groove. Start with slower songs and gradually work to faster ones as your comfort and precision improve. 

Developing a Solid Groove: Start integrating the right and left foot to play common double bass patterns. A simple one is playing eighth notes, where your right foot plays on the beat, and your left foot plays the 'and' (offbeat). Make sure the beats from both feet are evenly spaced and balanced in volume.  

Experiment with Subdivisions: Try different rhythmic subdivisions. Play eighth notes, sixteenth notes, triplets, etc., to develop versatility in your groove. Practice playing these subdivisions accurately against the metronome click. 

Groove Displacement: This is a more advanced technique that involves shifting the entire pattern by one or more subdivisions, creating a feeling of tension and release. It can add great interest to your drumming but requires a solid understanding of rhythm and timing.

5: Dynamic Control 

Dynamic control - it's the backbone of expressive, impactful drumming. Now, why is that? 

Let's think about a roller coaster ride. If it went at one steady speed, it'd be boring. 

Drumming is similar. It needs those highs and lows, those loud and soft moments, to engage listeners. 

That's where dynamic control comes in, especially in metal, where your double bass drumming can add such a powerful punch. So, how do we master dynamic control?

Here's a simple exercise:

1. Start with a basic double bass pattern.
2. Keep it simple, eighth notes.
3. Play it for a while, then gradually increase and decrease your volume.

The aim is to smoothly shift from loud to quiet and vice versa. 

If you find the volume jumping suddenly, slow down. Remember, consistency is more important than speed. 

Now, let's throw in some accents. Accents are beats that are emphasized or played louder. Try to accent the first beat of each group of four notes. This simple variation can bring a whole new feel to your drumming. 

Common pain point alert! The most frequent issue I see is drummers focusing too much on speed and needing more control. Remember, metal isn't just about playing fast. It's about delivering a powerful, expressive performance. 

So, take your time with these exercises. Build your control, and the speed will follow. Your dynamic control can dramatically improve with patience and practice, bringing a new level of depth and musicality to your metal drumming. So grab those sticks, and let's make some noise!

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering double bass drumming requires dedication and consistent practice. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth. Feel free to seek guidance from experienced drummers and leverage online learning platforms like Drumeo for lessons , tutorials, and additional resources. 

These platforms offer a wealth of knowledge and provide a convenient way to enhance your skills, receive expert advice, and connect with a community of drummers who share your passion. Remember, progress comes with time and effort. Keep exploring different styles, pushing your limits, and enjoy the rewarding journey of becoming a skilled metal drummer.