Where to start with double bass?

[TK187]

So i've had a double bass for a while and have practiced foot exercises and such like playing rudiments with hands and feet in sync but is there any other techniques or practices i can do to develop my control and speed?

[Russ]

Have you tried doing rudiments with hands, then feet, and then combining hands and feet?
Here's some paradiddles to work both hands and feet..

rh,rf,rh,rh,lh,lf,lh,lh

rf,rh,rf,rf,lf,lh,lf,lf

You could do that for awhile, and then try crossing limbs up a bit with the right hand but left foot and the right foot and left hand substituting..

[bassist learning drums]

Check out Thomas Lang's Creative Coordination and Advanced Foot Technique

[drummer]

There are lots of double bass tips and resources here. I've never been a big fan of using all the rudiments to practice double bass. I just think that's approaching it from third base rather than first. The guys that go through all the rudiments are usually more advanced double bass players that are looking to take things to another level. In the beginning, you'll benefit more from using practical beats that you can apply to songs. And that is my suggestion. Listen to double bass grooves in songs that you already know and like. Emulate them and start there. That will take you a long way by itself. Secondly, speed comes mostly through repetition, not learning new exercises. All you have to do is take those more practical beats (that I was referring to earlier) and work on getting them faster and faster through simply practicing them over and over and over again. That's what builds speed.

Hope this has helped a bit. Good luck!

[Jackie]

A good book for learning to play double bass is:

DOUBLE BASS DRUMMING by JOE FRANCO

[Russ]

^Yes it is! I own it and the dvd. Joe Franco had a few solos in it, but there was a lot of written out stuff onscreen too in easy to understand and follow along with lettering.

[drummer]

More double bass drum lessons right here at Drum Chat!

[NPYYZ]

So i've had a double bass for a while and have practiced foot exercises and such like playing rudiments with hands and feet in sync but is there any other techniques or practices i can do to develop my control and speed?

Go to you tube, type in Derrick Roddy's drum lessons and solo's. there are five parts. Here's and example:

http://youtu.be/qPFEP_stPGI

[gatlin5]

Good stuff! I have been concentrating on my hands so much since I have been traveling a lot this summer and could only take sticks with me. It is amazing how much more my hands have improved being away from the kit. Now that I am home it has become very obvious my feet need the same attention. Great resources, thanks.

[Russ]

Go to you tube, type in Derrick Roddy's drum lessons and solo's. there are five parts. Here's and example:

http://youtu.be/qPFEP_stPGI

Great video. A little scary how he never blinks or breathes, but he explains it well.