Hi.

I have been practicing for about 4 months. Up to tonight I have not had any lessions that included using the left foot to press the hi-hat. I have tried it before, and I did mention a while ago, that if I pressed down on the hi-hat and the bass drum at the same time, I find myself akwardly unbalanced on the throne - especially with both feet comming up from the beat (the off-beat I think).

Tonight, I actually encountered the first lesson, that instructed me to play on the hi hat(foot), on every beat of the bassdrum. I still am not comfortable, and I have to lean back just to try and balance myself. This happens when I play with both feet heels up. However, I found that if I play heel down on the hi-hat, I can use the heel on the floor to compensate for almost all the balance problems.

So my question is this: is it ok if I play with heel down on the hi-hat, or should I try harder to balance with heel up ?

Thanks as always
REDant

Experiment with it.... I do both the hat and bass pedal heel up. But go for what works best for YOU. You're going to find no set rule. It's about feel, balance, speed, and control. When you've got all that working you've found your answer. But Mr. A is right, your balance should be centered on your stool. All your limbs should be able to work independent. Using your limbs as "outriggers" will not help. You'll notice anyone who rides a bicycle that has limbs sticking out to balance themself are out of control. Your weight on one leg equals just about 1/3rd of your body weight. Now make a quick shift of that weight and the bike will wobble.  Same difference.... That shift of weight will affect your timing.   

This whole thread has me wondering something.

Back story: I don't currently have my drumset assembled, and until I do again, I've been practicing without a set. I've been practicing bass and hi-hat (heel-down) with my feet flat on the floor and with my foot extended outward from me far enough that my lower leg and thigh create an obtuse angle. At this distance, if I were to raise both feet, it seems like I would probably tip forward. The only way I see to solve this problem is to bring my feet back and make an acute angle with my upper and lower leg.

Am I sitting too far back from my "drumset"? What is the "proper" angle of the leg when sitting the "proper" distance from the set? (I'm sure there are differences of opinion on this topic, but is there a PROPER way to sit?)

I think Mr. A. made the best point yet. You should be balanced on your throne/seat. Your feet shouldn't be used to balance you.

What Mr. A said...

This made me chuckle a little - today I had some trouble with my balance because the ship I'm on is getting hit with some pretty large swells so I'm going one way, my gear is going another... It makes any complex foot work a real challenge - heck, I felt like the thread starter at times... Unfortunately there's nothing like "sea legs" for drummers...