This is an exclusive lesson from George Kollias of Nile, for Sick Drummer Magazine only. There is a PDF for download on our site here: www.sickdrummer...
Try practising without pedal, preferably with shoes. Play simple heel to toe and heel down patterns. For example, you can play groups of eight alternating between the heel and the toes or both feet heel down. Try playing rudiments heel to toe and between both feet heel down. Try it heel up, but I'd say do heel down more as you'll train specific parts of your leg more that way. I've found this very helpful. Whatever you can play with your shoes, you can surely play on any pedal, don't you think?
It's not OCD, it's just musicians' ears. Slight difference in dynamics and tone (since human won't achieve perfect beater velocity/angle and kick drum tuning like triggers) actually add to the "humanized" factor of the drums sound in the final mix which means more depth and generally more aesthetically pleasing than machine-like drums we hear from several bands these days. Unless you are truly obsessed with machine perfection, the slight difference is for the better.
@BiedaQ So you know that both derek's feet play with less beater distance than the left foot of George right? Anyway, this concept of the leading foot (wich george talks about in his dvd, so I'm used to it for years now) works greatly. Please, remember that working on your right foot won't make your left weaker...
@Blacklorigine HAHAHA THAT COMMENT MADE MY DAY;D you seem to be blind or u love kollias so much that u dont see his weaknesses. Actually his left foot sux badly! Just watch any of his vids.His right beater distance is nice but left is a fuckin tapping,like 20 degree angle.And its because he focus so much on his right side,and he uses different technique for his left foot.Btw. Derek is one of the few drummers who can boost stuff ~250bpm without triggers.Let me know if u want some vids as a proof
@BiedaQ I know the audio where he's playing 250 without triggers, but he uses mics, and you can hear that he does'nt play with so much power. I really know both these drummers (you can see on my profil my friendship with them, and i saw all of their videos), and I promise you that Derek doesn't play with more power than Kollias. And about George's left foot, sometimes it looses a lot of power, right, but sometimes it hits really loud even at extreme speeds, it depends.
I totally agree with george on the lead or drive foot and slave foot. For me when I play dbl bass is like dancing. You have to have a foot leading and a foot following. Thats just me though, everyone is different. As long as you obtain the effect and things are solid. Thats all that matters.
I play a right - handed kit but when it comes to double bass patterns, fills etc I find myself more comfortable to start with my left... Considering this, which foot should act as the leading one when it comes to double bass?
@SERCHSOS3722 I don't know how fast you play but I can only play fast with my heavy Iron Cobras with extra-high tension springs. So the gear is important but individual. For greatly over 200bpm maybe then my Iron Cobras wouldn't work clearly as well.
@djrewind5 i would disagree (respectfully of course)...the other day i tried to play with my old PULSE pedals, loose springs, heavy footboard, and it seemed as if they stay on the head for eternety...with my axis max tension, the beater comes back faster and ready for the next stroke...so i believe that the gear does help...of course it not gonna replace practice
@djrewind5 Of course the body is the one that do all the job, but it also needs a gear to be comfortable with and play with less trouble. Personally, I prefer light, smooth, long and loose pedals to waste less energy during fast double bass paterns :) Obviously I need mostly PRACTICE, but I think comfort in my pedals would make my work easier :D
@BiedaQ I often heard about Derek playing untrigged on videos where you can HEAR an obvious tigger sound, and no, he's not cleaner than Kollias...Yes I know Derek's nickname, I was or so one of the first ones to buy the evolution of blast beat; but hell, George is as good as him.
how does he do that swivel technique with his feet? i can double bass like that for a short period of time but i look like im having a seizure. that swivel technique seems to make it alot easier ...
A ton of people measure their bpm wrong. I see some people say they can do over 700 bpm and some that say they can do like 140 bpm, acting like it's fast. In extreme metal double bass bpm is measured at 16th notes and the first guy is measuring in whole notes( which is around 190 I believe) and the other guy is measuring probably in 8th notes. 125 bpm 16th note double is impossible. That's WAY too slow, it wouldn't be double bass it would be some type of strange double kick pattern.
ok, i have a situation that i could use advice on: im a right handed drummer, and i play single pedal on a bass drum for now, but heres my issue, when george uses his right foot and goes kinda fast, mine cant do that, but my left can JUST FINE...i didnt train it or anything, it just goes way faster for some reason, anyone have any tips to get righty up to speed?
The part about a stronger slave side being difficult is nonsense. There are no such problems about leading with both sides once both are properly trained. Both sides of the brain can be trained and it's only good to have all four limbs as strong as possible - or, rather, a well trained and balanced brain as that's what's leading anyway.
@Blacklorigine maby george is faster and has more endurance cuz Dereks best times was when he has been playing with Hate Eternal, and he is now focusing on more rhytmic stuff, but George has never have so good controll with his feet and hands. Also george is clueless with his lessons while derek always says sth which has never been mention before. I know like every vid of derek and george which has ever appeared on internet and i analysed them deeply so i know what im talkin about ;)
@Blacklorigine im not talkin about that audio. Both play with triggers on it. Im talkin about live shows and clinics. Georges double bass parts need to be mixed and live u can hear how sloppy he is. If u consider urself as a fan of both of them u should know Derek -one take- Roddy nick name;) It doesnt come from nowhere cuz derek is fuckin clean, and tight when it comes to power, while georges left leg got only first few strokes powerfull. Askin you again - need vids as proofs? I can post links
I think he's taken a lot of this stuff down since he doe online lessons now, but there's a similar (and very good) workout here: drumtechofficial.blogspot.com/2013/10/george-kollias-16-week-speed-control.html video's here ruclips.net/video/6_q36wrXHmg/видео.html
@BiedaQ Derek is an incredible drummer, but as far as double bass speed, control and endurance go, I would say that george is better (and cleaner...), so I follow his advice, fine if you don't., but don't say that it's bullshit...
you're one of my favourite drummer,(got one of your DVD) but how the hell are you able to play with shoes??isn't it disturbing? seems not of course i know but......Personnaly i play on socks...well cheers :)
@marthusmart1 Hes the nicest fucking guy!, i shook his hand and he signed my DVD, plus i got a signed CD/DVD from dave haley from Psycroptic(whom i might add george says is better than him) Dave haley is an Aussie Tech death metal drummer from the band Psycroptic, check em out!.
Finally, after a while, I've got that speed :)
Thanks George!
Awesome job. But I would really like to see a video of him explaining his food technique.
8:43. Brought a tear to my eye :')
Try practising without pedal, preferably with shoes. Play simple heel to toe and heel down patterns. For example, you can play groups of eight alternating between the heel and the toes or both feet heel down. Try playing rudiments heel to toe and between both feet heel down. Try it heel up, but I'd say do heel down more as you'll train specific parts of your leg more that way. I've found this very helpful. Whatever you can play with your shoes, you can surely play on any pedal, don't you think?
George is one of a Grece gods...
@CrawfordDrummer Both. He uses the triggers for punch, and the mic for the body.
@SERCHSOS3722
Axis pedals are smoother and feel better, only your body determines how fast you can go, not your gear
Honestly I think that is something that "works for George" but not everyone. I kinda feel the same way with you on that one.
My ears are fine, you can clearly hear the difference.
He makes it look so easy...
It's not OCD, it's just musicians' ears.
Slight difference in dynamics and tone (since human won't achieve perfect beater velocity/angle and kick drum tuning like triggers) actually add to the "humanized" factor of the drums sound in the final mix which means more depth and generally more aesthetically pleasing than machine-like drums we hear from several bands these days. Unless you are truly obsessed with machine perfection, the slight difference is for the better.
@danmesk He did teach us something, lay down our drums and just go
@BiedaQ So you know that both derek's feet play with less beater distance than the left foot of George right? Anyway, this concept of the leading foot (wich george talks about in his dvd, so I'm used to it for years now) works greatly. Please, remember that working on your right foot won't make your left weaker...
@Blacklorigine
HAHAHA THAT COMMENT MADE MY DAY;D
you seem to be blind or u love kollias so much that u dont see his weaknesses.
Actually his left foot sux badly! Just watch any of his vids.His right beater distance is nice but left is a fuckin tapping,like 20 degree angle.And its because he focus so much on his right side,and he uses different technique for his left foot.Btw. Derek is one of the few drummers who can boost stuff ~250bpm without triggers.Let me know if u want some vids as a proof
@sexypoulpe It's a masterworks custom snare, NOT a pearl reference snare.
2 bar switch sounds so epic
@goodnamepending Many, like george, use Iron Cobras beaters because they are really light. But yes I agree.
@BiedaQ I know the audio where he's playing 250 without triggers, but he uses mics, and you can hear that he does'nt play with so much power. I really know both these drummers (you can see on my profil my friendship with them, and i saw all of their videos), and I promise you that Derek doesn't play with more power than Kollias. And about George's left foot, sometimes it looses a lot of power, right, but sometimes it hits really loud even at extreme speeds, it depends.
This video really helps :D.... thanks SDM and GK :D
That bass drum sound is fucking wild.
I totally agree with george on the lead or drive foot and slave foot. For me when I play dbl bass is like dancing. You have to have a foot leading and a foot following. Thats just me though, everyone is different. As long as you obtain the effect and things are solid. Thats all that matters.
Great drum sound!
great tips! from the master himself
so true, this helped alot.
I play a right - handed kit but when it comes to double bass patterns, fills etc I find myself more comfortable to start with my left... Considering this, which foot should act as the leading one when it comes to double bass?
@SERCHSOS3722 I don't know how fast you play but I can only play fast with my heavy Iron Cobras with extra-high tension springs. So the gear is important but individual. For greatly over 200bpm maybe then my Iron Cobras wouldn't work clearly as well.
Not sure if trolling, that 125 he's referring to i think is 250bpm, which is faster than your 230bpm.
@bradMdrums i dont mean the patch the beaters hit on the head, i mean the one at 4:26. the big black patch.
The George Kollias Advanced Fast Foot Drum Wizard Master Class
@djrewind5 i would disagree (respectfully of course)...the other day i tried to play with my old PULSE pedals, loose springs, heavy footboard, and it seemed as if they stay on the head for eternety...with my axis max tension, the beater comes back faster and ready for the next stroke...so i believe that the gear does help...of course it not gonna replace practice
@djrewind5 Of course the body is the one that do all the job, but it also needs a gear to be comfortable with and play with less trouble. Personally, I prefer light, smooth, long and loose pedals to waste less energy during fast double bass paterns :) Obviously I need mostly PRACTICE, but I think comfort in my pedals would make my work easier :D
@BiedaQ I often heard about Derek playing untrigged on videos where you can HEAR an obvious tigger sound, and no, he's not cleaner than Kollias...Yes I know Derek's nickname, I was or so one of the first ones to buy the evolution of blast beat; but hell, George is as good as him.
@CrawfordDrummer i dont think its triggered if you listen close you can hear the tone of the drum.
@Kapr1Sun That makes much more sense, doesn't Gean Hoglan do that too??
What snare is that ? looks and sounds G(E)ORGEous as this lesson!!!!
how does he do that swivel technique with his feet? i can double bass like that for a short period of time but i look like im having a seizure. that swivel technique seems to make it alot easier ...
why do i always watch this videos... they make me so sad :_:
@bradMdrums oh shit im so stupid i didnt notice that x.x thank you
@bradMdrums thank youu
A ton of people measure their bpm wrong. I see some people say they can do over 700 bpm and some that say they can do like 140 bpm, acting like it's fast. In extreme metal double bass bpm is measured at 16th notes and the first guy is measuring in whole notes( which is around 190 I believe) and the other guy is measuring probably in 8th notes. 125 bpm 16th note double is impossible. That's WAY too slow, it wouldn't be double bass it would be some type of strange double kick pattern.
This is great. Thanks
@sexypoulpe thats his signature pearl reference snare...with hieroglyphics all over it. it looks so sick but its probably a fortune to buy :(
He could cover the music from Packman and i would still buy the album.
ok, i have a situation that i could use advice on: im a right handed drummer, and i play single pedal on a bass drum for now, but heres my issue, when george uses his right foot and goes kinda fast, mine cant do that, but my left can JUST FINE...i didnt train it or anything, it just goes way faster for some reason, anyone have any tips to get righty up to speed?
Man i started in february 2011 and i can play in 230 bpm, no matter the time that u re playing, but, the time u re practicing
@sexypoulpe it`s hes signature snare
when will it be a lesson that teaches something?
@sexypoulpe Its a custom Pearl Masterworks, made specifically for him...it has the nile hieroglyphs and it absolutely sounds like sex....i love it!
excellent!
@CrawfordDrummer Probably.
I dont like roddys drumming either but honestly give the guy some respect hes a very successful musician and he has earned it
What r u want to do with 4 legs?
years mate. Best way to gain speed at your level is playing slow double bass songs and playing constant double for longer periods.
does he want his kicks to sound different?
@sebbimon agreed
@sexypoulpe That's george's custom Pearl Masterworks snare!
that kick has different tunes??
I clicked for part two, only to pause the video.
i clicked for part 2 but it didn't go nowhere :C
My OCD kicks in when I heard his right kick drum has a higher tone than the left. :(
Cubase click?
The patch on the bass drum, what is that exactly?
The part about a stronger slave side being difficult is nonsense. There are no such problems about leading with both sides once both are properly trained. Both sides of the brain can be trained and it's only good to have all four limbs as strong as possible - or, rather, a well trained and balanced brain as that's what's leading anyway.
george lesson.
You will never be me.
Deal With It.
Only a Slight difference :P
But maybe he wants that...I always wondered about setting my double kicks like that :)
you would hate my kicks hahahaha
ok... good luck with your practing
@kidR0BOT i guess he ment the metronome ...
Fuck!! It's all in the ankle! I need to work on mine!!! TILL DIE!!!
it breaks tension in ur ankle so u can go longer
@bradMdrums thank you haha.
Fucking best drummer in the fucking world
I don't know :p
But just wait and keep trying.
Hahah george still destroys roddy!.
Bassdrum sound ftw
oh. ok thanks..
ahah yes, me too, and i'm guitarist who tries to play drum
Machine
the same here!:)
that makes 2 of us!
@Blacklorigine
maby george is faster and has more endurance cuz Dereks best times was when he has been playing with Hate Eternal, and he is now focusing on more rhytmic stuff, but George has never have so good controll with his feet and hands. Also george is clueless with his lessons while derek always says sth which has never been mention before. I know like every vid of derek and george which has ever appeared on internet and i analysed them deeply so i know what im talkin about ;)
@Blacklorigine
im not talkin about that audio. Both play with triggers on it. Im talkin about live shows and clinics.
Georges double bass parts need to be mixed and live u can hear how sloppy he is. If u consider urself as a fan of both of them u should know Derek -one take- Roddy nick name;) It doesnt come from nowhere cuz derek is fuckin clean, and tight when it comes to power, while georges left leg got only first few strokes powerfull. Askin you again - need vids as proofs? I can post links
he is so fast that the speed has broken his jeans
Cubase click!
Where can i find the PDF file now??
I think he's taken a lot of this stuff down since he doe online lessons now, but there's a similar (and very good) workout here: drumtechofficial.blogspot.com/2013/10/george-kollias-16-week-speed-control.html video's here ruclips.net/video/6_q36wrXHmg/видео.html
@BiedaQ Derek is an incredible drummer, but as far as double bass speed, control and endurance go, I would say that george is better (and cleaner...), so I follow his advice, fine if you don't., but don't say that it's bullshit...
even tough chuck norris needs 3 feet to do that!
i want his motherfucking drum-kit!!! xD
he is more stable than the metronome :PPPPPPPP
Roddy is awesome aswell, just different from George.
I did not know Highlander played drums
His left bassdrum sounds way more punchy than his right! interesting...
@kidR0BOT Oh nvrm he is micing it
train them!
Greek Myth
you're one of my favourite drummer,(got one of your DVD) but how the hell are you able to play with shoes??isn't it disturbing? seems not of course i know but......Personnaly i play on socks...well cheers :)
he should switch his bass drums... his left one has more bass, its a better leading drum... of course this is only my opinion
@marthusmart1 Hes the nicest fucking guy!, i shook his hand and he signed my DVD, plus i got a signed CD/DVD from dave haley from Psycroptic(whom i might add george says is better than him)
Dave haley is an Aussie Tech death metal drummer from the band Psycroptic, check em out!.
Did you just argue with nothing?
Yeah but my OCD for this shit enhances it and it's somewhat annoying :p but yeah that could work, if you're looking for that