Anyone got any advice on Heel-Toe? and left hand liberation?

EM33

Anyone know good rudiments with the feet to improve heel toe rythm and timing, or tips on liberating my left hand more.

crazycloe · Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:06 am Post subject:

this may sound a little far feched but, get yourself some rubber balls. 2 to be exact one for each hand and bounce them . try 2 mix it up . once with r hand twice with left. different combos will develop the right side of your brain. then when your ready to practice tie your right hand up. practice beats you know but use yur left hand. soon you will be free young padawan. good luck. try spankin it lefty for strong muscles.

da skunk · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject: secret hand

listen this is not a thesis this is the secret. rudiments. period. do the rudiments between your heel and toe,it's hard but eventually it will help alot.another thing is how tall you sit, you have to be very balanced. ive done the heel toe for 20 something years. it's been a challange to switch to just on the toe. the power is not in heel toe. if your going to go pro you need power as well as control. good luck

TravisTDS · Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject: heel toe comment question

DA Skunk,

I am a little confused by your post... are you saying that the power is not in heel toe and that one should sit up and practice rudiments with toe only?

Thanks a lot!

-Travis
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Travis D. Schmit

Dr.Hook · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:49 pm Post subject:

I can't do the heel toe, my darn feet are too big. Any other techniques to improve foot speed, that apply to people with big feet??
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I hit things.

Needle in a haystack · Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject:

I have always played toe only.Some say it's a bad habbit to hold the beater on the head. But i've made a hell of alot of money doing it that way.Control and dynamic's is where you'r foot is on the D.W.pedal.

kbconsul · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:31 am Post subject: Left hand liberation

What I do is practice every rhythm I cross my hands on, "crossed" the other way. I set up a ride cymbal on my left, and I'll play one bar normally and play the same thing left hand on hi-hat or ride cymbal, right hand on the snare.

Every time I practice rudiments I start left handed. I've analyzed the grips I use right handed and duplicate them left handed. That was a tough one; I use French grip on ride cymbals right handed, but never used French left handed; I used either matched (German) or traditional.
The crazy thing? I'm faster left handed now than I am right handed.

Senior' Jalapeno' · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

I mostly play with my toe on the pedal to single & double stroke. I use the heal only if I want a lighter beater stroke "feathering the pedal" for 4 quarter notes as in a jazz shuffle or a driving on top the beat feel.

Try practicing rudiments leading with your left hand-emphasize double stroke long rolls and paradiddles.. I am a S.paw so this is quite natural for me. I practice often leading with my right to build my snare coordination and wrist strength. I would have my students practice rudiments on a soft pillow, this will also build up you wrist strength (no bounce-your wrist creates it) and keep neighbors, family members from complaing my student was practicing too loud. Mainly, it elimanted the excuse a student couldn't give me that they didn't learn an assigned lesson or couldn't practice because of noise complaints.

El' Peno'

timezone · Guest

Paradiddles have always worked for me. Try playing with some Tower of Power records so you can see where the drummer is putting things in conjunction with where you are putting your stuff. Switch to start with your left hand instead of your right on the paradiddles. After you get comfortable with paradiddles try doing a beat based on paradiddles. If you are right handed play with your left hand on the ride and your left foot on the bass pedal or left hand on the ride and right foot on the bass pedal. These things will train your brain that nothing is dominant and all parts are equal.

Good luck!

Charlie Zee · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:30 am Post subject:

try going on line to www.drummerworld.com for free instructions on heel to toe. you most likley have seen this site, but it is also great for viewing dummers solo's and hearing the great playing via mp3
good luck.
ps use a longer foot rest on both pedals to get better heel toe action as the foot will slide backwars while playing
charles496@msn.com

jetts4 · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:57 am Post subject:

hi dude try looking at ballistic drums .com and get used to disipline'by the way i was rh until i saw billy cobham in 74 play the lh side of the drums w his lh and the rh w his rh. get used to it teach ur self rjett age 54 and smokin

Greenmont · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject:

There are some good video's that can help quite a bit. This, of course, is in conjunction with rudiments. "Bass Drum and Hi-Hat Technique" is a video and charts by Michael Pack, and "The New Breed" is a book and CD by Gary Chester. You can usually find these on ebay, and many other great resources.

Greenmont · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 1:58 pm Post subject:

There are some good video's that can help quite a bit. This, of course, is in conjunction with rudiments. "Bass Drum and Hi-Hat Technique" is a video and charts by Michael Pack, and "The New Breed" is a book and CD by Gary Chester. You can usually find these on ebay, and many other great resources.

JT1 · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:28 pm Post subject:

First of all you must come to grips with the fact that your left hand is NOT your left hand. It is part of the human machine that makes music. Getting over the psychology that your left hand is exactly that, your left hand, is a big deal. You have to let go of your thoughts that your left hand is impairing you and begin anew thinking your left hand is a part of you. Just like your right hand, your left leg, whatever. Getting beyond thinking of your limb as 'the left hand' is huge mental herdal but once you've accepted this it WILL make a difference.

I have read that using your left hand to do things you would normally do with your right is helpful. Sure enough, I added this sort of thing to my daily life and it has made right-brain thinking come more naturally over time.

I also have played the HH with left hand on simple eigth note rhythms to help just get control of my hand and forearm. I have played until I can't play with my left any longer to help strengthen the muscles in the hand and arm. This will help long term by allowing you to relax the hand/arm and not have to think so much about it when you play.

Rudiments. Rudiments. Rudiments.

Oh, ya, did I mention rudiments?

Also, trying playing things like simple fills that you would normally lead with your right hand, with your left. Doing this while actually playing a song is difficult unless the sticking allows for it. I just practice fills over and over again until I can't anymore. Again, all in the name of coordination, strengthening and independence.

Remember to relax, good luck to you and DON'T LET YOUR LEFT HAND KEEP YOU DOWN!!

Indiana's #1 Left Handed · Guest

1.Make shure your throne is up to your knee's.This is were you need it so you will flow on your pedal's.2.Start with your toe's on the pedal's/Ancle high in the air/Now just let it drop.you want it to wip.3. make shure your pedal spring is tight.4.Check the beeter distance3inch. If you do this for 21 day's it will become a habbit. Later!