Build Your Double Bass Chops: Part 1

I began playing drums on a single Bass Drum. Later on, I began to experiment with the use of a second bass drum. In 1978, with encouragement from Louis Bellson (the father of Double Bass Drumming), I transformed my own exercises into the book, DoubleDrum: A Double Bass Drum Text. My book introduced exercises that treated the second bass drum like an additional hand, which - back then - was an original concept. I originally intended the book for the double bass drummer but, over the years, I've used it to improve four-way coordination of my students who use a single bass and a hi-hat as well.

Although the exercises you're about to see first appeared in print more than 20 years ago, I think you'll agree they're as relevant today as they were then. Check 'em out.

Coordinating the Feet
Many drummers practice hand exercises but almost totally neglect their feet. These exercises concentrate on developing coordination and speed in the feet, and are useful whether you play double or single Bass. If you play single Bass, simply substitute your Hi-Hat for the second Bass Drum part. See Excerpts 1 and 2.

Excerpt 1

Excerpt 2

Play each exercise slowly at first. After you can play each exercise cleanly and evenly, increase the speed. Note that the first 4 bars in Excerpt 2 incorporates the use of flams between the feet. Play them exactly as you would play flams with your hands, keeping the grace note drum beater ball closer to the drum head than the main note drum beater ball.

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