Sujet Technique talon-pointe mais comment vous faites?

Citation :

Title: Heel-Toe method for playing double bass drums...


by James D. Sharp

IN THE BEGINNING..........

Like many drummers, upon buying a DB pedal, I commenced with playing single strokes only.
Although I got quite a few interesting patterns down, I found the system ungainly and
severely limiting. I then began to ponder the possibility of foot double strokes. I had
already developed a very efficient and reasonably fast "heelup" technique with my main
right foot, but my left was flagging a little, a bit out of sync. I tried almost
everything. Heelup, heeldown, stool height adjustments, pedal adjustments, hairstyles,
you name it! Still no real progress. I then stumbled upon an article in a publication,
describing how Steve Gadd (world renowned session player) often played successions of
fast double strokes using both the ball of his foot, and his heel. This method is commonly
termed (and maybe incorrectly!) "heel/toe". It forms a major part of my drumming technique.


GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT (OR THE LEFT!)

To initially practice heel/toe, you can sit away from the drumset, with nothing but your
stool. Adjust your stool height so that your thighs are either parallel to the floor, or
angled just above parallel. Anything lower could potentially cause back pain (believe me,
I know!). When you are sat comfortably, balanced, with your feet flat on the floor, spaced
appropriately (at least shoulder width apart, feet in straight continuous line with legs),
raise your left heel. Now "flick" your toes up, simultaneously thumping your heel on the
floor. This is the first stroke of a heel/toe double. Your ball should now be raised
slightly off the deck. Now try "tapping" your toes and ball of foot back to the floor
again, this time raising your heel to the starting position simultaneously. You are now
primed for the next double. Apply the above to the other foot. Before too long, after
playing a few sets of doubles on one or either foot continuously, you will probably find
yourself playing a broken triplet or swing blues ostinato. For a quick example of this
bass drum pattern, check out Billy Cobham on "Quadrant 4" off the Spectrum album
(Atlantic). Try this pattern at various speeds, using both feet (but not at the same
time). After some practice, you should also be able to play straight 16ths (as opposed to
swinging 8ths) using heel/toe doubles. This is the first part of "dragging" a move of
course.

TAKING IT TO THE DRUMSET.

Return to your kit, preferably with your stool at the same height as in the previous
exercises (reshuffle the drum positions to accommodate if necessary). Your pedals should
be positioned in a straight running line with your feet & legs. Think of this as a kind of
"channel" or "groove". Start off with your pedals at medium tension, with your beaters just
under full height (this will be variable, play with it a little). Remove your footwear. Now
slide your feet as far up the plate as possible, taking care to avoid contact with the
chain or cam link. Starting again with the left foot, attempt the exercises as laid out
previously. Should the first stroke (heel) not connect, firstly make sure you are raising
your toes and ball of foot, and secondly, make any tension adjustments to your pedal that
may be hindering the free motion of the pedal. When you are happy with the volume of both
heel & toe strokes, try out the "swing ostinato" pattern, then the "straight 16ths"
pattern, continuously. You may feel your lower leg muscles burn a little, this is perfectly
natural. If it gets painful, take a break and return to the set later. Try the above
exercises using both feet. Initially your right foot may actually be less "receptive" to
this new movement than your left. This is because your right foot is psychologically
"programmed in" to your conventional techniques. In fact, personally, I only usually use
heel/toe with my left foot, as I am perfectly happy using heelup with my right.

THE POSSIBILITIES.

Once you're reasonably happy with the above, the possibilities of what you can play on the
bass drum(s) will slowly start to become self-evident. I could list a whole load of
exercises for you to try, but to be honest, it's just as well for you to pick up a decent
snare drum rudiments book, and apply the stickings in it to your feet. Just let me know
when you master a press roll! I still use both single stroke system & doubles combined.
Switching your left foot from heel/toe position to back down the plate isn't as hard to
master as you might initially think. Try not to get bogged down with the same sad, old
cliched "dugga-dugga" barrage of 16th notes, and indulge in some swing feels, triplets,
flams, drags etc. Apply your double bass in short, concise bursts. After a while you may
well understand and relate to what I mentioned about being able to apply bass drum
rudiments in different styles of music. It's basically a question of application of
imagination. Enjoy it!

James D. Sharp