Hi

I am trying to improve on my foot with both heel down and up technique.  I have problem with heel up on 16th note especially when the 1st 16th note is before the 8th note hihat like this:


x x x x
 oo  oo


When you play heel up, I understand that the heel should be lifted about 1/2 to 1 inch, just about parallel to the ground.  But when you play, does your entire leg lift up and keep the foot flat without pivoting the ankle or do you actually use some pivoting of the ankle like how you step on the gas pedal and some lifting of the thigh?

sw

i did really catch the question... but bass drumming like a lot of techniques is a visual thing a lot of the time... i would suggest steve smith's 2 set dvd... he goes into great detail and example in showing and explaining the heel up/down technique

i like china's description.

like he/she said, i pretty much just move my foot, using the muscles around my ankles.  sooner or later, you'll start to build up your muscles in that region and be able to gain some strength and speed.

btw, a great exercise for you legs are standing calf raises, and leg lifts.  if you have good knees, all you do is go from a 90 degree squat, to full stand, to putting yourself up on your toes, and then the reverse.  pretty much strengthens your whole leg, as well as the muscles used for bass pedal jammin'.

i like the tension of my pedal to be very loose, so i can do quicker accents without too much resistance pushing back on my foot.  but, some guys, like my bud, like a tighter tension, so the pedal beater snaps back faster for a quicker feel.  all depends on how you work.

also, another tip, try lifting your seat a little higher.  have the seat high enough, so only the balls of your feet are touching the pedal, while your heel is still suspended maybe less than an inch above the footboard.

Thank you!! I will go ahead and try it out.

BTW, Relient, I have Steve's Smith's DVD but he only talked about his Instant Release technique, not the heel up buring the beater technique.  But I think it's helpful, too, I will review it.

Thanks!