Double Bass Drums and Its Playing Techniques

The primary characteristic of a bass drum is that itcomposition is played with the heel, with the feet
produces indefinite or low-pitched sound. We canbeing suspended over the footboard.
generally classify them into concert bass drum,For the budding drummers the tip is to develop the
pitched bass drum, and the kick drum. As the nametechnique of playing the double bass drum in the right
suggests, concert bass are used in concerts orway. This would save valuable practice time in the
orchestras. The kick drum is, usually, seen on drumfuture for the drummer, both novice and
kits. It is attached to a pedal and is stuck with aintermediate alike. If a beginner can learn around 20
beater to generate music. Marching bands and drumdrum beating techniques from an experienced
corps use the pitched bass.drummer he can then progressively build up his drum
When two bass drums are used operated by eachskill.
foot it is called the Double bass drum. It was used asThis also helps in building up the speed drumming
early as in the 1940s and 1950s. Louie Bellson, a jazzprocess. Not only experienced drummers can help an
drummer, first formulated the idea of using two bassaspiring drummer but there are video tutorials also
drums. He was in the high school then. Earlier, twowhich can help improve the double bass drums
pre-tuned bass drums were used as a double bassbeating skill.
drum. Later on, with cost of electronic extensionHere are some important points related to double
getting lower, double pedal was employed. Now, thebass drumming techniques:
tuning has also become easier.- Heel-down is harder to accomplish than heel-up
Ray McKinley and Ed Shaugnessy were the first totechnique. It also is harder to gain speed with this
use the double bass drums in jazz concerts.technique.
However, Ginger Baker of Keith Moon of the Who,- It is difficult to not find the sweet spot and still
created public approval for them. Music is a form ofattain the maximum speed. To find it, one needs to
experimentation, and drummers are no slouch in usingfind the center of the pedal and then need to place
trial and error method in creating new and excitingthe groove between the toes and the foot.
beats.- One of the better ways to attain the balance of
Drummers have used two different tuning for eachplaying double bass drums is to sit up straight.
bass drum. They also have tried working with two- Another proper way is to find out the proper
drum beaters with more than two pedals.muscle position while playing the drum for a long time.
Double bass drums have been popular with someSome postures will help the drummer to play for a
form of extreme punk, heavy metal and jazz. Both,long time with less exhaustion.
heel-up and heel-down methods are being used in- Ordinary calf raises is a good exercise to help in
playing double bass. A difficult technique to use is thegetting strength in the calf-muscle area.
heel-toe technique. Here the first note of the