Hell up or heel down

[Mysterious Stan]

Hi all, i just wondered what technique people use when playing the bass drum. Just outta interest really. I play heel up as it seems more natural, easier to control and faster.

[Guitarfool5931]

I play heel up mostly just because that's how I started out. Now it's easier for me to do it that way.

[The Chazbo]

I play heel up. I find it gives you more speed and control than heel down, and it doesn't leave your foot hurting

[pastor_bob]

I tend to play heel up on the bass pedal, but heel down on the hi-hat pedal. Heel up is for the power, and heel down is more for finese.

[markthechuck]

I tend to play heel up on the bass pedal, but heel down on the hi-hat pedal. Heel up is for the power, and heel down is more for finese.

Same with me, up for Bass down for hi hat, i get a terrible pain in my shin if i play bass with heel down, Ouch!!

[Beave]

Idk why but ive found the most comfortable and accurate way for me is heel down with my right foot and heel up with my left.

[The Chazbo]

I tend to play heel up on the bass pedal, but heel down on the hi-hat pedal. Heel up is for the power, and heel down is more for finese.

That's exactly what I do. Heel up on the bass for speed, heel down on the hi hat.

Same with me, up for Bass down for hi hat, i get a terrible pain in my shin if i play bass with heel down, Ouch!!

That's exactly what I get if I ever try and play heel down.

[LagerHead]

I try to play heel down most of the time. But there are times when I find that I can't play what I want heel down, so I gotta pick it up. You know, I just go with the flow. I don't want to be labeled.

[ludwigkid]

I tend to play heel up on the bass pedal, but heel down on the hi-hat pedal. Heel up is for the power, and heel down is more for finese.

Dito.

[bassist learning drums]

I mostly play heel up. I have tried heel down and heel/toe. All are good to know. Different music, different technique. One should never limit to strictly one technique.

[Dustin]

Both for me - I learned to play heel down but use heel up when more power is needed.

[KISSFan300]

Both for me - I learned to play heel down but use heel up when more power is needed.

Same with me I can do both. I fought through the pain(I say in my tough guy voice) Honestly though I did and once that goes away you are good to go. More heel up and heel down for finesse.

[Northern Redneck]

I play heel up mostly just because that's how I started out. Now it's easier for me to do it that way.

X2

[crazydrummer]

Heel up, both heels. Feels right for me.

[Tazmania]

Heel up on the Base and down on the Hats

[Zeta]

I am the one who put heel what?!?! as my answer because I use both depending on what i am playing. for example on the song "creep" I alternate between the two depending on the section.

I learned both because heel down is good for jazz and soft rock, but heel up is for chorus parts and rock.

[drum_chick]

Same with me, up for Bass down for hi hat, i get a terrible pain in my shin if i play bass with heel down, Ouch!!

Heel up for me for the same reason, terrible pain in my shin......

[fiacovaz]

I play heel down on the bass much of the time. I "Feather" the bass and kick to accent with the band as needed. Tempo has a lot to do with this as well. At faster tempos, I will use "Heel - up" for control of the speed. I use "Heel - up" on the hi-hat most of the time because I tend to separate the cymbals more than most do. I like a heavier "Chick" so the Big Band can follow me. I will use "Heel - down" when I want a light, hi-hat splash in a Ballad or Vocal number.

[CharlyG]

Reminds me of a discussion I had about playing bass. Someone asked which method I used, fingers, pick, or thumb. My answer? Whatever appendage is closest to the string when it needs struck, or what the song calls for! It's good to know all.

[fiacovaz]

Reminds me of a discussion I had about playing bass. Someone asked which method I used, fingers, pick, or thumb. My answer? Whatever appendage is closest to the string when it needs struck, or what the song calls for! It's good to know all.

*******************************************

Absolutely!!

[kostonskid]

depends on what kind of music I am playing. if it is something without lots of fast bass then i will usually play heel down for better control. but if I'm playing anything fast or doubles then it's always heel up

[Warriorpoet]

I play heel up most of the time....though do heel down sometimes when appropriate....always play the hats heel down....

[Church Drummer]

Heel down most of the time for me. It gives me more control of the volume since I'm mostly trying to play softly. I do go to Heel up occasionally when I want more volume, or trying to play very fast bass rhythms.

[quikstang2]

Both. Depends on what I'm playing.

[Andreeew]

Heel up. but I'm working on my heel down