Bass drum foot freezing up?

[Sambo84]

One thing I've been struggling with a bit technique-wise is my kick foot freezing up, and not exactly doing what I want it to do. I know the timing of what I want to do, but it feels like something shorts out between my brain and foot. For example I could probably play constant sixteenth notes with one foot at 100bpm (at least for a time) but if there are two sixteenth notes together in a groove for a song, my foot just freezes up sometimes. Wonder if my brain anticipates a fast motion and the anxiety somehow throws me off physically. I can play exercises at the proper speed just fine, so I don't believe it is a lack of the 'physical' ability to perform it, but when trying to do it in a song I struggle.

It does seem like it's more noticeable with fatigue, after I've been playing a while. I use a double pedal so sometimes I can switch to the other foot when possible and keep playing fine. Not sure if this really makes sense but wondered if anybody else experiences something like this? Any thoughts whether it's a kind of mental block or something, or something physical like related to fatigue?

 

[jptrickster]

I don't know if it will help your situation , My new regiment is B12 and a healthy dose of electrolytes everyday.. No more cramping no more joint fatigue.

 

[Deafmoon]

Usually struggles in this goes back to coordination. You can play the bass as fast & steady as you want, but if you are struggling with a limb that won't execute while playing time, then consistency and speed is not time well spent. I would suggest getting a hold of Gary Chester's book and going through some of the systems reading the bass drum. So play time, sing the parts and play the bass drum reading the pages. It's just mechanics and in a few months you will see a major difference.

 

[Matched Gripper]

One thing I've been struggling with a bit technique-wise is my kick foot freezing up, and not exactly doing what I want it to do. I know the timing of what I want to do, but it feels like something shorts out between my brain and foot. For example I could probably play constant sixteenth notes with one foot at 100bpm (at least for a time) but if there are two sixteenth notes together in a groove for a song, my foot just freezes up sometimes. Wonder if my brain anticipates a fast motion and the anxiety somehow throws me off physically. I can play exercises at the proper speed just fine, so I don't believe it is a lack of the 'physical' ability to perform it, but when trying to do it in a song I struggle.

It does seem like it's more noticeable with fatigue, after I've been playing a while. I use a double pedal so sometimes I can switch to the other foot when possible and keep playing fine. Not sure if this really makes sense but wondered if anybody else experiences something like this? Any thoughts whether it's a kind of mental block or something, or something physical like related to fatigue?

It sounds like an issue with independence between your limbs. There are several method books dedicated to developing independence (aka 4 way coordination). “Advanced Techniques for the Modern Drummer” by Jim Chapin is the gold standard.

In addition, I posted a thread in the Teacher’s Lounge section of DFO titled “Comping Workout” with a condensed series of advanced exercises that will challenge and help develop your independence for sure.

Here’s a link:

Comping Workout (Update)

This is a workout that I came up with many years ago and forgot about. I was inspired by a local drummer (who I haven't seen before or since), who could play ridiculously fast and tasty patterns between his snare and bass drum while maintaining the ride swing pattern when trading 4's. All...

www.drumforum.org

 

[Houndog]

This is my struggle as well .
Good luck …..

 

[Supernoodle]

Same here... tried many different exercises, finally got rid of the problem by using Morello's Master Studies, "8th notes with accents", Exercises 1 - 11, with the bass drum doing the right hand part, as suggested by Morello. (Right hand does quarter notes on ride instead, left foot does nothing)

Played these for years as warmup for the hands, so I got very familiar with how they sound. There is lots of unaccented notes in a row... With the bass drum version, go very slowly and controlled first, and gradually try to make the accents pronounced on the bass drum. Hope it helps!

 

[Chris89]

Hey Sambo, did you end up fixing this issue? I have been struggling with this this for years. Any help?

 

[Rattlin' Bones]

Two year old thread.

I have same issue. Less spring tension helps me a lot.

 

[Sambo84]

Hey Sambo, did you end up fixing this issue? I have been struggling with this this for years. Any help?

Glad this thread is getting revived! Honestly it is still a challenge for me. Some things that have helped :

- working on the first few exercises in "Bass Drum Control" book
-exercises in New Breed book

Since I play mostly punk and metal now I tend to use a tighter spring tension. Setting the metronome fast and doing a standard "D-beat" for a period of time helps me to get it solid. Also to work on my double bass drumming I do 10 minute exercises of straight 16th notes at 140-150bpm. These definitely help if done consistently.

The continuing challenge for me is that when I get fatigued my technique just can't seem to keep up. Still open to suggestions!

 

[Chris89]

Glad this thread is getting revived! Honestly it is still a challenge for me. Some things that have helped :

- working on the first few exercises in "Bass Drum Control" book
-exercises in New Breed book

Since I play mostly punk and metal now I tend to use a tighter spring tension. Setting the metronome fast and doing a standard "D-beat" for a period of time helps me to get it solid. Also to work on my double bass drumming I do 10 minute exercises of straight 16th notes at 140-150bpm. These definitely help if done consistently.

The continuing challenge for me is that when I get fatigued my technique just can't seem to keep up. Still open to suggestions!

Thanks for your reply mate, it's been insanely annoying for me because at times when I'm relaxed at home it can feel and sound great but on a gig Im fixated on my foot and I feel like it gets worse when I do that. In the most drastic cases my foot spasms for a second and misses the hit altogether! I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'll take your suggestions and keep working away. I'll let you know if I have any breakthroughs. Happy drumming!

 

[Houndog]

I’m not so sure this issue is completely fixable , I’ve been working on resolving this exact issue seriously for a solid 5 years ….
I’m nowhere near where I want to be .
Once in awhile I’ll think I have it only to return the next day to find it gone again .

It has caused me endless frustration.
I’ve seen 3 teachers in person and discussed it and worked on it with a few others as well ……

I’m still trying though , my last attempt at my current teacher’s suggestion is too slow way way down , I’ll put my metronome on and play Swingtown and various other beats that give me issue at 50-70 BPM

 

[Steech]

I’m not so sure this issue is completely fixable , I’ve been working on resolving this exact issue seriously for a solid 5 years ….
I’m nowhere near where I want to be .
Once in awhile I’ll think I have it only to return the next day to find it gone again .

It has caused me endless frustration.
I’ve seen 3 teachers in person and discussed it and worked on it with a few others as well ……

I’m still trying though , my last attempt at my current teacher’s suggestion is too slow way way down , I’ll put my metronome on and play Swingtown and various other beats that give me issue at 50-70 BPM

Heel up or heel down?
Or same issue with both?

 

[Big Ken]

I have a mild case of numbness due to reconstructive surgery after a hard parachute landing. R ankle.
I swear by 20 minutes on an elliptical machine.
I regained the dynamic control and power.
Good luck!

 

[Houndog]

Heel up or heel down?
Or same issue with both?

Both …..Nothing matters .
I still spend time on it every single time I practice though ….

Maybe someday I can play Swingtown…

 

[Steech]

Both …..Nothing matters .
I still spend time on it every single time I practice though ….

Maybe someday I can play Swingtown…

It might help if you recorded yourself playing it. Is it the doubles in the beginning with the 16th note hats? I’m trying to picture how I play it…

This part in the beginning?

 

[Houndog]

It might help if you recorded yourself playing it. Is it the doubles in the beginning with the 16th note hats? I’m trying to picture how I play it…

I have no idea how that will help , it’s the double the 2nd and 3rd bass drum note in the pattern …so the an-2

 

[Steech]

I have no idea how that will help , it’s the double the 2nd and 3rd bass drum note in the pattern …so the an-2

Yeah that’s what I thought.
A friend of mine had this same issue and he ended up just playing the 3rd note, meaning the second note of the double only, and he said no one in the audience ever noticed.

 

[Tornado]

I think fatigue is hard to feel in the muscles used. They just stop doing what you want them to. The only thing I have found to help is just a crapload of practice to build endurance.

 

[Houndog]

Yeah that’s what I thought.
A friend of mine had this same issue and he ended up just playing the 3rd note, meaning the second note of the double only, and he said no one in the audience ever noticed.
[/QUOTe
Tell your friend to hit that missing note with his left hand on the snare ……
I’ve never had to play it live but I’ve done it that way in my room …

 

[Big Ken]

I think fatigue is hard to feel in the muscles used. They just stop doing what you want them to. The only thing I have found to help is just a crapload of practice to build endurance.

Precisely. Eliptical will strengthen the calf muscle and Achilles tendon.
You should hear a difference.