*HEY EVERYBODY! Hope you enjoy this lesson, man. When I finished editing it I gave it one final watch and thought 'Yep. This is one of my favourite ones' Please share it if you dig it! And keep sheddin'. We're all just over here tryin' to get better* 🤓🥁
Dude, when u sed that when ur toms sound like craaaaap even ur food taste bad I laughed till I cried...love watchin ur vids...very explanatory.....thx...
No body ever explained 2 me as you did about right foot ....Rob you are the best teacher on the internet ....This and more about a lot of hands i have seen on your channel Appreciate so so much all that you do .....Thank you ...Emil Sorry for my English...im from czech rep.
I'm 66 years old and been playing since I was 14. I have learned more from you in the last year about technique than I have in the last 50 years. You have a way to make your explanations crystal clear and usable to everyone, no matter what level player they are. That's a real talent for a teacher. Thank you so much.
I know right!!!?!!! It's like an awakening. ...lol... I'm 59 and still digging slow funk and blues and mostly offbeat patterns. Simon Phillips is the only other drummer that I can really admire. But Rob is so different. He's chill. Relaxed. Damn I wish I could do that! I have to do several bong hits before I warm up. I'm getting old...lol...😁
I’m 70 been playing sine 5th grade. Took lessons on and off with different teachers but this guy is the best. If we had RUclips back then wow! Rob thanks.
Mine too. Day 3 of having a drum set and I feel like his tuning, kick technique and 2 for one techniques have really helped already. Makes me wanna keep trying.
Hey Man, I got to tell you that this "lesson" on Kick drum was exactly what I needed after playing for over 30 year. You nailed in the head for me with the ankle hinge thing and plus one and zero positions. Finally I found through you a comfortable and powerful way to play the kick (Aleluia!!) Feels really good like never before! To show you gratitude I just went to your shop and bought a T shirt! Keep shinning your light brother!!!
I watch a lot of different drum tutorial videos. But there’s only two people whose excercises usually end up in my daily warm-up routine - Tommy Igoe and Rob Brown. Not only the excercises are great, these guys are also really really good at explaining them. Thank you Mr. Beatdown for that! Keep up the good work! You are a great educator!
Hey I am 56 years old and played in a band as a kid. I left the drums years ago and later took up bass guitar. Some friends of mine have dragged me out of retirement to play drums for them. I’ve had a real issue with my kick foot, in fact I felt as though it’s was getting worse rather than better. I played heal down. I’ve watch lots of videos about heal up. Your video has nailed it down and made it seem so simple now. Thanks 🙏 Chris in the UK
I'm 60 and have been "playing" for about 2 weeks. After watching a few of your videos, specifically the ones concerning "5 Rookie Mistakes" and "Proper Drum Setup", I was guilty of ALL of them! Everything is flowing and working much better after watching your videos. I only have about 248 more to watch! You're an excellent instructor. Thank you sir!!!
This exercise has given me a clear understanding on how the kick pedal is supposed to to be played. I feel more comfortable now when doing doubles. It has also increased my speed.
Here I am, a 60yr-old twit, just bought a kit after playing on and off on other people's, and hand drums, over the decades, always sucking, loving it anyway, wanting to get better, but never having the right situation to get down to do things right. Now I have that situation, wife and daughter cool with my racket... and I suddenly realize how much worse I am than I realized, and how much I have to learn. Winter's coming to Toronto, so here we go. Rob, sir, you have a gift, and I humbly thank you. You shit is already well in play here.
I admire your honesty in assessing your abilities because this awareness informs what to work on. Thank you for the lesson and for sharing your perspective on the matter.
Thank you Rob!!! I use this for my practice and warm up. Also dropped my beater back with lots of slack for maximum thumpification. I've been playing 30 years and man this video took my foot control to a new level. My worship team loves it especially on those hillsong/ bethel builds. Thanks again.
This such a simple solution to a problem that I've looked EVERYWHERE else to solve. Rob, you're videos have really been amazing as I start my drum journey. Keep grooving brother
I'm 65, and played in several groups from age 15 - 30. Wow... I have the itch to get an affordable E set and bang around again! I learned kick doubles (trying to imitate Gonzo) using a "drop leg, slide foot" method. I really like YOUR method better... I could never get any decent speed, and triplets and quads were very difficult. Thanks SO much for your careful detailed lesson!! 👍
I always appreciate how detailed you are, as well as your no nonsense - common sense approach. Especially discussing (thoroughly) the mechanics involved. Thank you!
I don't use to write comments on youtube videos, but I decided do to it on this one. I just wanna thank you man for this video. Ive been playing drums for 20 years, I ve never thought this little change on my foot technique could improve that much the way I play. I was kind of frustrated about some thing on my groove, my fills and some other stuff. GUYS, having a strong and solid foot technique change everything, even your tempo. THANKS SO MUCH ROB !!
Just starting out to become a drummer (63yrs old, lifelong conga player, percussionist), but wanting be tasty, technically proficient, and have a good "clock". THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge, especially with kick pedal technique. Your exercises are straightforward, challenging, and encouraging. Keep doing it, man!!!
Your video's are by far the best Drumming Lesson Vid's on RUclips, the way you explain everything and also talk about and admit that some Drummers may feel playing differently is easier for them, such as myself...................i am 52 and have been playing Professionally for about 30 years, i also admit that you can never stop learning. It may be because double pedals were not out at the time of my learning to play or because i never could afford a double pedal even if they were out.............myself i find heel down is the best for me to play faster on a Single Pedal, it just comes Naturally to me, the ball of my foot is in the same place on the pedal as your's is, just my heel is down, i guess it is Different strokes for different folk's ( No pun intended.........or just a little Pun :).................. Also you are one of the few Pro Drummers ( That i know of ), except for Shannon Larkin and Sully Erna that use the Yamaha * Flying Dragon Direct Drive * Pedal........I had the same pedal but it was a Single Chain Drive, and i loved that pedal, don't know why i sold it, but just a question, obviously your choice in pedals makes a difference in performance to a point, also how you tune or tighten your batter skin of your Bass has a large reaction on how fast the mallet returns, i use an 11mm Batter on my 26" Bass and a 14mm on the reso side with no Porting or Muffling, it just sounds better that way to me, and all the people i meet at shows tell me how powerful my bass sounds, i guess it was just a fluke when i tightened my Bass skins that way ? Keep up the great work Rob. ** CHEERS **
Excellent teacher! I love the way you play, you make everything you do look so natural and easy! Your lessons are great. Explained in detail and free!! These lessons are a Blessing! Thanks for your kindness to help others. You're a good man!
Fantastic! As a relative beginner I managed to get doubles together using heel-toe a few months ago. I buzzed. But my heel was on the floor when not moving and I'd managed to train myself to have my toe as far forward as it would go to make the double work. Was having trouble moving on and improving much and my singles were suffering - weak and sometimes turning into a double due to poor rebound control. But having paused about half way through your vid, gone off and done some experimenting, lifting my throne a bit and focusing on keeping my heel up, after about ten minutes it came together again! Pausing as you do with hammer against batter head rather than away from the head as I first learned, and bingo! Much more control over both singles and doubles! Along with better dynamics! Almost instantly! Thank you bud, from a grinning Scotsman in London :D
Dave Moore Always nice to try new stuff and acquire a new way of doing it. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but heel toe is a pretty awful technique and I’m pretty sure will fizzle out when more people begin realizing that the same thing can be accomplished toe toe with heel up. In a double pedal situation this tip rings twice as true haha. Good luck on your endeavors, just trying to help. I’m glad we both found Beatdown Brown, he’s an absolute animal on the drums!
ive been having the exact same problem....yours is the first ive seen where someone talks about it....i watched this last night and tried for a minute but fell right back into myu old habits....foot all the way to the toe stop....i will try again today....awesome.
i would like to thank you, Rob, for being such a down-to-earth teacher whose passion for the drums is reflected in the easy to understand explanations of any and every question a drummer of any level could possibly have. My father, who passed away unexpectedly at age 83 last year, was a lifelong drummer. He started touring at age seven, and was a lifelong student of the drums, as well as a lifelong teacher of others. I never got to meet him until I was 36 years old (my mother was not a nice person, and took us away when I was 9 months old, on his birthday, way back in 1971, swearing I would never be a drummer like my father). In the short dozen years or so that I had Dad in my life, I was blessed to know him as a man, even though I didn't get to know him as a child. He was tickled that I was a bassist and guitarist. We got to do a few shows together, and that old man SHREDDED at almost 80 years old! He always tried to get me to try drums. I was convinced I didn't have it in me. No confidence. He argued that as his son, I had drums in my blood, that no child of his would be unable to hold his own behind a kit. I regret that I never tried while he was alive. Before I knew it, he was gone. As I began the painful task of managing his modest estate last year, I found drum sticks literally EVERYWHERE in his home. Drum keys popped up randomly in the oddest of places. A well worn hi-hat turned up out in a shed. A family friend had a drum kit of his at her home for safe keeping. I was not yet ready to go get it. One night last summer, as my girlfriend took a shower after we finished a long day of cleaning and landscaping, I sat down in his living room and waited for my turn in the shower. I absent-mindedly picked up a scarred set of drumsticks next to Dad's easy chair and began to tap out patterns on my thighs, eyes closed, remembering times spent with Dad listening to jazz, discovering a whole world of fantastic music with him. The stereo played in the background. In walked my girlfriend, who stopped dead in her tracks, slack jawed and wide-eyed, with the strangest look on her face. She said, "You never told me you played drums. Wait a minute... you DON'T". "No, I don't. Never dared even try". She looked at me for a second, and said, "You are a complete dumb ass if you don't get a drum set. That is just ridiculous." Turns out I was playing along with Alice in Chains and didn't realize it. That, and Disturbed and Tool and everything else on her playlist. I made makeshift kits out of miscellaneous items around the house for the next few months until in October, I was blessed with a beautiful full drum kit at a ridiculously low price I could actually afford. At age 50, I vowed to learn to play drums, to honor my dad's memory and do him proud, even if he is no longer here to see it happen. I began my search for information on the internet, soaking up everything I could, watching video after video, even if I didn't fully understand the material. Some made sense, some were way over my head, but I watched them anyhow. Then, in early November last year, Sir, I discovered you. You explain things the way my Pops did. You do things the way he did. Your playing reminds me of his. You tune your drums the way he did. I was afraid to alter the tuning on his kit at all, until I discovered your videos on tuning. I am not afraid anymore...Dad would be proud. I am currently tracking down ALL of your videos, because no one explains things quite like you do. I have progressed in leaps and bounds thanks to your simple, honest teaching style and amazing skill, which you somehow know how to pass along to others in an almost effortless way. Sir, I thank you for the honor of being your drum student and proving to quite a few people that at age 50, I most certainly CAN learn this complex instrument well enough to make music with others. Drums are the most natural instrument I have ever played in my life, and the pure enjoyment of playing them simply eclipses the joy I have experienced playing any other instrument, ever. Your lessons feel more like you are reminding me of that which I have always known but have forgotten until now. After literally a dozen two hour sessions behind a kit, spread out over six months in the midst of remodeling my dad's home, on my 50th birthday, I had the pleasure of taking a seat on my Dad's drum stool, behind his kit, and playing a jazz/fusion/funk jam session of almost three hours with two other musicians, both 25-year drummers who also played bass and guitar. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. In the ensuing discussion, when my girlfriend spilled the beans as to how long I had actually been playing drums, my fellow musicians were shocked. They asked who my drum teacher was. I told them my drum instructor was none other than Rob "Beatdown" Brown, who I had never met, but hoped to some day. Rob, you have given me a gift that is without equal, and hold the distinction of doing the impossible. You have, in some way, through your teachings, given me my father back. I feel his presence every time I pick up a set of sticks, even if just working on a practice pad, and I know that at last he gets to see just how right he was. May God bless you and yours in all ways, and always. You are truly one of a kind. You are truly the GURU OF GROOVE. Sincerely, Your most unlikely, and most grateful, student Tristan Thomas "Ted" Fuller (son of Barry Fuller, known professionally as Barry Foster, lifelong jazz and Dixieland drummer, 1938-2020).
Merci Rob, I am an autodidact who plays in rock band without any technical info like this, You improve my way to play drums. i enjoy to play and practice more and more THANKS A LOT!
Took up drumming at 40 now 52,, was told by a few people that starting that late I could only get so fast with single pedal doubles? So far they have been correct, I can do the intro to American Band but that is my absolute threshold limit... I am successfull with that intro about 75% of the time.
Great lesson! You broke down the mechanics to the point where I could them understand exactly what you were doing when you showed the foot cam on the exercises. Thanks for the effort, Rob!!
Finally a video that gives you the science of the double stroke on the kick, the actual mechanics behind the foot placement and movement. Thanks for the help!
Your the very first drum teacher I have ever had in my long career and I didn’t even realize that til this particular video. You’re THE BEST TEACHER out here on the web. I feel like I should be cutting you a check or something Rob! Thank you for relighting that fire with in me that has long since started to wain. On a side note, THE YAMAHA DRUM KIT you play in this video is a work of art. Hoping to find out what series this is or any info about it. Thanks 😊
Came across one of your videos breaking down a Vinnie. C. lick and loved it. This kick video was also just as inspiring. Been playing casual groups and big bands for 40 years. I have got a lot of musical "street knowledge" but it is fun to get new ideas. You do a great job at explaining and definitely inspire me to do new things with the kit. Keep it up.
Been playing for a few years now each day. My foot was always heavy, id set the pedal spring on max, as this was the easiest for my heavy foot. Was basically just smashing the pedal in. Recently been getting really frustrated with my lack of speed. Now that i'm getting into intermediate level beats, my foot just couldn't keep up. Well, just changed my pedal to loose and lifted my heel up. Speed has already improved after half an hour, this is the way forward. Thanks.
Dr. Beatdown Brown, thanks so much. Been playing drums since sixth grade. Never had anyone teach me the mechanics of base pedal playing. It’s assumed or self taught by “rope” as they say. Many thanks again.
Man I've been waiting for a video to see your feet, thanks Rob so much for the lesson and helping me understand the proper physics and basics,, I wish when I first started playing I was taught doing the same things I do with my hands do with my feet, most of the lessons are just basically on the hands, the foot seem to be a neglected issue when I first learn how to play 52 years ago. But on the hi hat foot I asked Steve gadd in the clinic he said your feet following your hands.. but thanks again for showing the proper technique, I love your playing and all your videos you've been such a great help thank you so much Rob. One subject with a high hat foot maybe you can help me with I haven't seen any videos on, is developing playing fast 16th notes with your foot on the hi hat. I can't find anything related on any videos relating to hi hat speed foot control.. although the one you did was helpful on separation bass drum and hi-hat foot but I would like to know how to get quick 16th notes feeling comfortable.When asking Steve Gadd about it he said it just happens naturally when you're locked in which I get that but he's Steve Gadd too, lol but it still would be nice to know some physics to a fast hi hat foot as in with the bass drum foot that would make me feel more comfortable to reach those faster tempos. Just a thought of another thought of maybe another instructional video with the hi hat foot subject developing speed that nobody seems to talk about too much. The only thing I could find was JoJo Mayer with that rocking foot motion which does help. Thanks again Rob for all the help.
Just watched this rob ,man it's something that I have battled with for so long ,I'm a worship drummer and to build in either bridge or pre chorus on kick has always been a challenge but the dynamics in it is amazing ,that's heaps man ,you have a gift brother ,not many drummers even in church like to expose there abilities but I love how you don't hold back ,it's a sign of true humility ,bless you
Wow , I can now do doubles on my bass drum. After your demonstration I started concentrating on keeping my foot parallel to the ground at rest, raising my seat also helped... and now the doubles are flying.
Great vid, awesome teacher (but we knew that). Something to think about: if your foot 'slides around' (i.e., your calf rotates) when doing heel-toe movement, it's because the muscles you're using to lift your leg aren't balanced, some are overdeveloped and some are underdeveloped. Hip flexors v. glute min/med in the hips, gastro min v. med in the calf... most people are unbalanced, and have outward rotation of the hips because "humans sit too much"... legs are heavy, lifting and bouncing them while seated is hard and unnatural motion. Trainers who know biomechanics can change your drumming game; so much of what we struggle with is habits and brain training, but a lot is also brute strength and flexibility. As you age, you and your joints will appreciate any effort spent balancing the system now.
I am struggling on playing grooves that has multiple bass drum notes. But spending almost two months on that, I found that knowing exactly where to play those notes is really helpful. And slightly swinging my upper body (tried not to move my head too much) also helped my doubles. (In my opinion!) Playing doubles alone is pretty easy, but playing doubles with groove is whole other level.. man, I should go to practice more! Thank you Rob! From South Korea
Thank you! “The foot level with the floor” - that statement made it click for me. I now need to make it stick through practise, but in that position, my foot can move so much faster than my previous heel down, and heel up positions. Thank you, Rob!
Ive made a point to teach myself the drums with the help of small technical tweaks from videos like this. Rob, you and stephen taylor are probably the best on RUclips. Thanks bro
O...M...G......!!! I couldn’t wait and practiced overnight for several hours after watching this video. I’ve tried to work on other methods before . However, for the first time in my life, I finally begin to feel secure and consistent on my Doubles. Gigantic THANKS to you maestro Rob. I know I’ll check out every single video of yours! Love ya!!!
"Inside this world machine" I really like these exercises! My weakness is the last exercise, but now I wanna bust that album out and play along to "Coup d'etat"
Rob - I recently discovered your videos and they are awesome! Thank you! I really, really appreciate how straightforward and practical they are. I’m getting value out of each one and I’ve been drumming a long time. Thank you!
Great video Rob. THis is just what I needed at this point. I have been working on increasing my skill with my feet on the kit and this will fit well with what I have already been working on. Thank you, and I look forward to the fruit of this exercise.
Really nice. I made a video of having a better foot for drummers few months ago, even without watching this video and funny enough it's exactly the same thing you taught here that I did. No difference! Really nice 💯
This video was a big help! I just got back playing drums after a ten+ years absence, and my feet feel really sluggish. This "simple" change has had a positive effect... I know it's going to take some time getting back to where I was, but this definitely helped. Thanks!
This is interesting. I've recently been wathcing Matt Ritter where he says to drop your heel back down after a note and keep the beater off the drum head.
Just watched you video on adjusting my bass pedal... was going to look for a video on speeding up my playability an once agin you deliver..... thanks for all you do for us average/novice/drummers... cant wait to practice theses three lessons.... Thanks again. DJ
Ok. I'm subbing. I've watched a few videos and they're all focused, positive, and informative. I'm a metal guy, but i think it's important learn from all the styles. ...more tools in the tool box, you know. And the double stroke is a serious weak point for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Nice staff here man and i want to say too (if you let me) that the finally meaning of this video is that the position of the foot is connected with the power you need on playing so the position can't ever be the same.It's controlled to the playing and depends to the music that you playing and with the how to manage the power of your foots at every music but for consistency and stable volume all players must play with the heel up method to groove well and dynamics is perfect with that!
U is a wiz! Thank u! After just a few days, I’m kickin’ it good! Still a bit weird for my body, but already saving strain on my hip flexor, I must have been using way more leg than ankle! Be well and prosper 🖖🏽Thanks 🙏🏾
Ex 1 sounds a lot like a Little Feat tune. "Spanish Moon", live, on Waiting For Columbus (vinyl is only place to hear the real ending, it's a fade out on cd). Great beat. Great vid!
This has really helped! I have been playing heel toe but have struggled with it for some time (trying to slow the tempo down, playing on time with it and playing doubles as i sometimes play triplets - which is annoying). Tried this technique out yesterday and BAM! biggest smile on my face! I think ill use heel toe for 16th notes though but yeah this was a game changer. I can now play punk grooves!! Also i have more control over tempo and speed and the amount of notes! Thanks Rob!!! Your a legend man!
Not a drummer but I play drums if that makes sense. So far I've watched two of your vids and they've tremendously helped me with my practice. Glad I found you sir. Great job.
Thank you very much Rob,I'm just transform my style in a better point of view to clean up my technique,Thanks a lot,waiting sure for new super interesting videos💪😉🥁🥁🥁
Good to get down to the practicalities of improvement. As always, an open progression from talking to walking the walk. Along with The Mueller , those avenues of drumming technique open up when you have a pedal doing more work with less physical effort. When I first encountered that ‘floating’ footwork it also got me to review my seating position and pedal dynamics, including what pedal tension works best for my style.
Awesome videos man they’re really helpful. I’ve only been drumming for 8 months and I’ve learned a lot from you. I’m progressing quickly and I will be trying this out tomorrow.
Hello from Argentina!! Very nice video, you are clear, fun and realistic. Helpful at all levels. As beginner I'am, thanks for remember to all: Practice makes perfect. Good work!!!
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
*HEY EVERYBODY! Hope you enjoy this lesson, man. When I finished editing it I gave it one final watch and thought 'Yep. This is one of my favourite ones' Please share it if you dig it! And keep sheddin'. We're all just over here tryin' to get better* 🤓🥁
Rob Brown Really like your style of teaching! You have helped me a lot. Appreciate all that you do.
Dude, when u sed that when ur toms sound like craaaaap even ur food taste bad I laughed till I cried...love watchin ur vids...very explanatory.....thx...
No body ever explained 2 me as you did about right foot ....Rob you are the best teacher on the internet ....This and more about a lot of hands i have seen on your channel Appreciate so so much all that you do .....Thank you ...Emil Sorry for my English...im from czech rep.
Five *****
@@davidbrisker377 nikki
I'm 66 years old and been playing since I was 14. I have learned more from you in the last year about technique than I have in the last 50 years. You have a way to make your explanations crystal clear and usable to everyone, no matter what level player they are. That's a real talent for a teacher. Thank you so much.
Thanks a bunch, man. That’s very encouraging 🙂👊🏽
@@RobBeatdownBrown 66..!! the kids only starting, I'm seventy and can only endorse the boy's comments, great videos
I know right!!!?!!! It's like an awakening. ...lol... I'm 59 and still digging slow funk and blues and mostly offbeat patterns. Simon Phillips is the only other drummer that I can really admire. But Rob is so different. He's chill. Relaxed. Damn I wish I could do that! I have to do several bong hits before I warm up. I'm getting old...lol...😁
I’m 70 been playing sine 5th grade. Took lessons on and off with different teachers but this guy is the best. If we had RUclips back then wow! Rob thanks.
Well I’m 71 and been waiting 60 years for this lesson!
You don't even realize you've become my drum teacher.
Mine too. He gives really solid instructions doesn't he? Good breakdown.
He knows.
Mine too. Day 3 of having a drum set and I feel like his tuning, kick technique and 2 for one techniques have really helped already. Makes me wanna keep trying.
THIS right HERE.
This is honestly one of the best tutorials on the kick drum I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them
No teacher on the internet is as personal, feels like a one on one lesson every time! RRB my man
Hey Man, I got to tell you that this "lesson" on Kick drum was exactly what I needed after playing for over 30 year. You nailed in the head for me with the ankle hinge thing and plus one and zero positions. Finally I found through you a comfortable and powerful way to play the kick (Aleluia!!) Feels really good like never before! To show you gratitude I just went to your shop and bought a T shirt! Keep shinning your light brother!!!
I watch a lot of different drum tutorial videos. But there’s only two people whose excercises usually end up in my daily warm-up routine - Tommy Igoe and Rob Brown. Not only the excercises are great, these guys are also really really good at explaining them. Thank you Mr. Beatdown for that! Keep up the good work! You are a great educator!
Hey
I am 56 years old and played in a band as a kid. I left the drums years ago and later took up bass guitar. Some friends of mine have dragged me out of retirement to play drums for them. I’ve had a real issue with my kick foot, in fact I felt as though it’s was getting worse rather than better. I played heal down. I’ve watch lots of videos about heal up. Your video has nailed it down and made it seem so simple now.
Thanks 🙏
Chris in the UK
Man this channel saves my life... almost every day 👏😅
Thanks for sharing 🙏🏽
Amein.
I'm 60 and have been "playing" for about 2 weeks. After watching a few of your videos, specifically the ones concerning "5 Rookie Mistakes" and "Proper Drum Setup", I was guilty of ALL of them!
Everything is flowing and working much better after watching your videos. I only have about 248 more to watch! You're an excellent instructor. Thank you sir!!!
0:34 The groove seems familiar🤔
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
omg i was gonna saw the same thing
Just needs an open hihat.. And baam!!
same exact reaction
Rob is such a phenomenal teacher
This exercise has given me a clear understanding on how the kick pedal is supposed to to be played. I feel more comfortable now when doing doubles. It has also increased my speed.
Here I am, a 60yr-old twit, just bought a kit after playing on and off on other people's, and hand drums, over the decades, always sucking, loving it anyway, wanting to get better, but never having the right situation to get down to do things right. Now I have that situation, wife and daughter cool with my racket... and I suddenly realize how much worse I am than I realized, and how much I have to learn. Winter's coming to Toronto, so here we go. Rob, sir, you have a gift, and I humbly thank you. You shit is already well in play here.
I admire your honesty in assessing your abilities because this awareness informs what to work on.
Thank you for the lesson and for sharing your perspective on the matter.
Play within your capabilities ,to use a hockey analogy ,we all can't be Bobby Orr.
Thank you Rob!!! I use this for my practice and warm up. Also dropped my beater back with lots of slack for maximum thumpification. I've been playing 30 years and man this video took my foot control to a new level. My worship team loves it especially on those hillsong/ bethel builds. Thanks again.
This such a simple solution to a problem that I've looked EVERYWHERE else to solve. Rob, you're videos have really been amazing as I start my drum journey. Keep grooving brother
Nice footwork! Im a 46yo drummer thats been playing since i was 6. Even now after years and years of playing im still working on my footwork
I'm 65, and played in several groups from age 15 - 30. Wow... I have the itch to get an affordable E set and bang around again! I learned kick doubles (trying to imitate Gonzo) using a "drop leg, slide foot" method. I really like YOUR method better... I could never get any decent speed, and triplets and quads were very difficult. Thanks SO much for your careful detailed lesson!! 👍
The real deal,,,,I,be looked at most drum teacher's on line,,,by far the best
Think of the pedal as a stick.....YES!
Thank you Rob: the brother of practicality.
I always appreciate how detailed you are, as well as your no nonsense - common sense approach. Especially discussing (thoroughly) the mechanics involved. Thank you!
I don't use to write comments on youtube videos, but I decided do to it on this one. I just wanna thank you man for this video. Ive been playing drums for 20 years, I ve never thought this little change on my foot technique could improve that much the way I play. I was kind of frustrated about some thing on my groove, my fills and some other stuff. GUYS, having a strong and solid foot technique change everything, even your tempo.
THANKS SO MUCH ROB !!
Just starting out to become a drummer (63yrs old, lifelong conga player, percussionist), but wanting be tasty, technically proficient, and have a good "clock". THANK YOU for sharing your knowledge, especially with kick pedal technique. Your exercises are straightforward, challenging, and encouraging. Keep doing it, man!!!
I’m not sure what I like more, the drummin or the faces while drummin!! Both are fantastic!!!!
🎶❤️🎶
Man, you explained this so well... THANK YOU!!
The best teacher hands down 🤚🏼
This is why Rob is such a valuable teacher . Humble too. His foot work has always been tasty. Greetings from Tennessee .
Your video's are by far the best Drumming Lesson Vid's on RUclips, the way you explain everything and also talk about and admit that some Drummers may feel playing differently is easier for them, such as myself...................i am 52 and have been playing Professionally for about 30 years, i also admit that you can never stop learning.
It may be because double pedals were not out at the time of my learning to play or because i never could afford a double pedal even if they were out.............myself i find heel down is the best for me to play faster on a Single Pedal, it just comes Naturally to me, the ball of my foot is in the same place on the pedal as your's is, just my heel is down, i guess it is Different strokes for different folk's ( No pun intended.........or just a little Pun :)..................
Also you are one of the few Pro Drummers ( That i know of ), except for Shannon Larkin and Sully Erna that use the Yamaha * Flying Dragon Direct Drive * Pedal........I had the same pedal but it was a Single Chain Drive, and i loved that pedal, don't know why i sold it, but just a question, obviously your choice in pedals makes a difference in performance to a point, also how you tune or tighten your batter skin of your Bass has a large reaction on how fast the mallet returns, i use an 11mm Batter on my 26" Bass and a 14mm on the reso side with no Porting or Muffling, it just sounds better that way to me, and all the people i meet at shows tell me how powerful my bass sounds, i guess it was just a fluke when i tightened my Bass skins that way ?
Keep up the great work Rob.
** CHEERS **
dude is a good teacher. Easy to understand what he is trying to communicate
I looked at the picture for 1 second and was doing it. You’re my Messiah
Excellent teacher! I love the way you play, you make everything you do look so natural and easy! Your lessons are great. Explained in detail and free!! These lessons are a Blessing! Thanks for your kindness to help others. You're a good man!
Fantastic! As a relative beginner I managed to get doubles together using heel-toe a few months ago. I buzzed. But my heel was on the floor when not moving and I'd managed to train myself to have my toe as far forward as it would go to make the double work. Was having trouble moving on and improving much and my singles were suffering - weak and sometimes turning into a double due to poor rebound control.
But having paused about half way through your vid, gone off and done some experimenting, lifting my throne a bit and focusing on keeping my heel up, after about ten minutes it came together again! Pausing as you do with hammer against batter head rather than away from the head as I first learned, and bingo! Much more control over both singles and doubles! Along with better dynamics! Almost instantly!
Thank you bud, from a grinning Scotsman in London :D
Dave Moore Always nice to try new stuff and acquire a new way of doing it. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but heel toe is a pretty awful technique and I’m pretty sure will fizzle out when more people begin realizing that the same thing can be accomplished toe toe with heel up. In a double pedal situation this tip rings twice as true haha. Good luck on your endeavors, just trying to help. I’m glad we both found Beatdown Brown, he’s an absolute animal on the drums!
ive been having the exact same problem....yours is the first ive seen where someone talks about it....i watched this last night and tried for a minute but fell right back into myu old habits....foot all the way to the toe stop....i will try again today....awesome.
i would like to thank you, Rob, for being such a down-to-earth teacher whose passion for the drums is reflected in the easy to understand explanations of any and every question a drummer of any level could possibly have. My father, who passed away unexpectedly at age 83 last year, was a lifelong drummer. He started touring at age seven, and was a lifelong student of the drums, as well as a lifelong teacher of others. I never got to meet him until I was 36 years old (my mother was not a nice person, and took us away when I was 9 months old, on his birthday, way back in 1971, swearing I would never be a drummer like my father).
In the short dozen years or so that I had Dad in my life, I was blessed to know him as a man, even though I didn't get to know him as a child. He was tickled that I was a bassist and guitarist. We got to do a few shows together, and that old man SHREDDED at almost 80 years old! He always tried to get me to try drums. I was convinced I didn't have it in me. No confidence. He argued that as his son, I had drums in my blood, that no child of his would be unable to hold his own behind a kit. I regret that I never tried while he was alive. Before I knew it, he was gone.
As I began the painful task of managing his modest estate last year, I found drum sticks literally EVERYWHERE in his home. Drum keys popped up randomly in the oddest of places. A well worn hi-hat turned up out in a shed. A family friend had a drum kit of his at her home for safe keeping. I was not yet ready to go get it.
One night last summer, as my girlfriend took a shower after we finished a long day of cleaning and landscaping, I sat down in his living room and waited for my turn in the shower. I absent-mindedly picked up a scarred set of drumsticks next to Dad's easy chair and began to tap out patterns on my thighs, eyes closed, remembering times spent with Dad listening to jazz, discovering a whole world of fantastic music with him. The stereo played in the background.
In walked my girlfriend, who stopped dead in her tracks, slack jawed and wide-eyed, with the strangest look on her face. She said, "You never told me you played drums. Wait a minute... you DON'T".
"No, I don't. Never dared even try".
She looked at me for a second, and said, "You are a complete dumb ass if you don't get a drum set. That is just ridiculous."
Turns out I was playing along with Alice in Chains and didn't realize it. That, and Disturbed and Tool and everything else on her playlist.
I made makeshift kits out of miscellaneous items around the house for the next few months until in October, I was blessed with a beautiful full drum kit at a ridiculously low price I could actually afford. At age 50, I vowed to learn to play drums, to honor my dad's memory and do him proud, even if he is no longer here to see it happen.
I began my search for information on the internet, soaking up everything I could, watching video after video, even if I didn't fully understand the material. Some made sense, some were way over my head, but I watched them anyhow.
Then, in early November last year, Sir, I discovered you.
You explain things the way my Pops did. You do things the way he did. Your playing reminds me of his. You tune your drums the way he did. I was afraid to alter the tuning on his kit at all, until I discovered your videos on tuning. I am not afraid anymore...Dad would be proud.
I am currently tracking down ALL of your videos, because no one explains things quite like you do. I have progressed in leaps and bounds thanks to your simple, honest teaching style and amazing skill, which you somehow know how to pass along to others in an almost effortless way.
Sir, I thank you for the honor of being your drum student and proving to quite a few people that at age 50, I most certainly CAN learn this complex instrument well enough to make music with others. Drums are the most natural instrument I have ever played in my life, and the pure enjoyment of playing them simply eclipses the joy I have experienced playing any other instrument, ever. Your lessons feel more like you are reminding me of that which I have always known but have forgotten until now.
After literally a dozen two hour sessions behind a kit, spread out over six months in the midst of remodeling my dad's home, on my 50th birthday, I had the pleasure of taking a seat on my Dad's drum stool, behind his kit, and playing a jazz/fusion/funk jam session of almost three hours with two other musicians, both 25-year drummers who also played bass and guitar. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. In the ensuing discussion, when my girlfriend spilled the beans as to how long I had actually been playing drums, my fellow musicians were shocked. They asked who my drum teacher was.
I told them my drum instructor was none other than Rob "Beatdown" Brown, who I had never met, but hoped to some day.
Rob, you have given me a gift that is without equal, and hold the distinction of doing the impossible. You have, in some way, through your teachings, given me my father back. I feel his presence every time I pick up a set of sticks, even if just working on a practice pad, and I know that at last he gets to see just how right he was.
May God bless you and yours in all ways, and always. You are truly one of a kind. You are truly the GURU OF GROOVE.
Sincerely,
Your most unlikely, and most grateful, student
Tristan Thomas "Ted" Fuller
(son of Barry Fuller, known professionally as Barry Foster, lifelong jazz and Dixieland drummer, 1938-2020).
Merci Rob, I am an autodidact who plays in rock band without any technical info like this, You improve my way to play drums. i enjoy to play and practice more and more THANKS A LOT!
Took up drumming at 40 now 52,, was told by a few people that starting that late I could only get so fast with single pedal doubles? So far they have been correct, I can do the intro to American Band but that is my absolute threshold limit... I am successfull with that intro about 75% of the time.
You’re the best online drum tutorial I’ve ever seen , you are the dude I’m following you all the way, thanks man !,,
Great lesson! You broke down the mechanics to the point where I could them understand exactly what you were doing when you showed the foot cam on the exercises. Thanks for the effort, Rob!!
Finally a video that gives you the science of the double stroke on the kick, the actual mechanics behind the foot placement and movement. Thanks for the help!
Your the very first drum teacher I have ever had in my long career and I didn’t even realize that til this particular video. You’re THE BEST TEACHER out here on the web. I feel like I should be cutting you a check or something Rob! Thank you for relighting that fire with in me that has long since started to wain. On a side note, THE YAMAHA DRUM KIT you play in this video is a work of art. Hoping to find out what series this is or any info about it. Thanks 😊
Came across one of your videos breaking down a Vinnie. C. lick and loved it. This kick video was also just as inspiring. Been playing casual groups and big bands for 40 years. I have got a lot of musical "street knowledge" but it is fun to get new ideas. You do a great job at explaining and definitely inspire me to do new things with the kit. Keep it up.
Been playing for a few years now each day. My foot was always heavy, id set the pedal spring on max, as this was the easiest for my heavy foot. Was basically just smashing the pedal in. Recently been getting really frustrated with my lack of speed. Now that i'm getting into intermediate level beats, my foot just couldn't keep up. Well, just changed my pedal to loose and lifted my heel up. Speed has already improved after half an hour, this is the way forward. Thanks.
Dr. Beatdown Brown, thanks so much. Been playing drums since sixth grade. Never had anyone teach me the mechanics of base pedal playing. It’s assumed or self taught by “rope” as they say. Many thanks again.
Man I've been waiting for a video to see your feet, thanks Rob so much for the lesson and helping me understand the proper physics and basics,, I wish when I first started playing I was taught doing the same things I do with my hands do with my feet, most of the lessons are just basically on the hands, the foot seem to be a neglected issue when I first learn how to play 52 years ago. But on the hi hat foot I asked Steve gadd in the clinic he said your feet following your hands.. but thanks again for showing the proper technique, I love your playing and all your videos you've been such a great help thank you so much Rob. One subject with a high hat foot maybe you can help me with I haven't seen any videos on, is developing playing fast 16th notes with your foot on the hi hat. I can't find anything related on any videos relating to hi hat speed foot control.. although the one you did was helpful on separation bass drum and hi-hat foot but I would like to know how to get quick 16th notes feeling comfortable.When asking Steve Gadd about it he said it just happens naturally when you're locked in which I get that but he's Steve Gadd too, lol but it still would be nice to know some physics to a fast hi hat foot as in with the bass drum foot that would make me feel more comfortable to reach those faster tempos. Just a thought of another thought of maybe another instructional video with the hi hat foot subject developing speed that nobody seems to talk about too much. The only thing I could find was JoJo Mayer with that rocking foot motion which does help. Thanks again Rob for all the help.
hey dude im in sixth grade and have played for 4-5 years
By ‘rote,’ not ‘rope’. ;)
Just watched this rob ,man it's something that I have battled with for so long ,I'm a worship drummer and to build in either bridge or pre chorus on kick has always been a challenge but the dynamics in it is amazing ,that's heaps man ,you have a gift brother ,not many drummers even in church like to expose there abilities but I love how you don't hold back ,it's a sign of true humility ,bless you
Wow , I can now do doubles on my bass drum. After your demonstration I started concentrating on keeping my foot parallel to the ground at rest, raising my seat also helped... and now the doubles are flying.
Great vid, awesome teacher (but we knew that). Something to think about: if your foot 'slides around' (i.e., your calf rotates) when doing heel-toe movement, it's because the muscles you're using to lift your leg aren't balanced, some are overdeveloped and some are underdeveloped. Hip flexors v. glute min/med in the hips, gastro min v. med in the calf... most people are unbalanced, and have outward rotation of the hips because "humans sit too much"... legs are heavy, lifting and bouncing them while seated is hard and unnatural motion. Trainers who know biomechanics can change your drumming game; so much of what we struggle with is habits and brain training, but a lot is also brute strength and flexibility. As you age, you and your joints will appreciate any effort spent balancing the system now.
I play guitar...decided to learn drums a few weeks ago. This guy is such a great teacher!!
I am struggling on playing grooves that has multiple bass drum notes.
But spending almost two months on that, I found that knowing exactly where to play those notes is really helpful. And slightly swinging my upper body (tried not to move my head too much) also helped my doubles. (In my opinion!)
Playing doubles alone is pretty easy, but playing doubles with groove is whole other level.. man, I should go to practice more!
Thank you Rob!
From South Korea
Thank you! “The foot level with the floor” - that statement made it click for me. I now need to make it stick through practise, but in that position, my foot can move so much faster than my previous heel down, and heel up positions. Thank you, Rob!
This is super amazing .... I'm so glad I came in contact with this channel.... Amazing tutorial boss
Rob you're one of the best teacher/players out there! So clear, and have the musical chops to enhance respect for your knowledge.
Struggled with the double for years. Thanks for a proper explanation Rob. It works!
Ive made a point to teach myself the drums with the help of small technical tweaks from videos like this. Rob, you and stephen taylor are probably the best on RUclips. Thanks bro
Hey thanks much, man. 🙂✌🏽 And yes, Stephen Taylor is indeed the dude 🥁
O...M...G......!!! I couldn’t wait and practiced overnight for several hours after watching this video. I’ve tried to work on other methods before . However, for the first time in my life, I finally begin to feel secure and consistent on my Doubles. Gigantic THANKS to you maestro Rob. I know I’ll check out every single video of yours! Love ya!!!
Man you have such a good way of breaking things down and explaining things.
My kick drum chops improved immediately after if not during this vid. Thnx for all the helpful tip for taps and such. Best wishes 🍻
"Inside this world machine"
I really like these exercises! My weakness is the last exercise, but now I wanna bust that album out and play along to "Coup d'etat"
Rob - I recently discovered your videos and they are awesome! Thank you! I really, really appreciate how straightforward and practical they are. I’m getting value out of each one and I’ve been drumming a long time. Thank you!
Fantastic lesson! You really have something special when it comes to teaching!
I really respect your humility and modesty. I enjoy your videos muchly.😁👍👍
You're the man. I was actually just thinking about my lack of foot technique after my last jam session.
Hope this helps ya out 🙂
Great video Rob. THis is just what I needed at this point. I have been working on increasing my skill with my feet on the kit and this will fit well with what I have already been working on. Thank you, and I look forward to the fruit of this exercise.
Well, I think you are my new drum teacher whether you like it or not! :) Thanks for all of your videos!
Was not expecting you to bust out blue matter on me man but I’m glad you did.
You're like the mad scientist of drumming. These videos are helpful. Thanks man
You are a great teacher ... 👍🏼😊
I am too ..learning at 60 .. Though playing from the age of 13.
Rob Brown your fucking awesome. The drums are an incredibly complex instrument to play let alone master. You've nailed it.
Man, this is awesome! Starting at 14:57 the exercise you lay out is so effective!, it’s what I’ve been looking for. Thank you Rob.
Really nice.
I made a video of having a better foot for drummers few months ago, even without watching this video and funny enough it's exactly the same thing you taught here that I did.
No difference!
Really nice 💯
This video was a big help! I just got back playing drums after a ten+ years absence, and my feet feel really sluggish. This "simple" change has had a positive effect... I know it's going to take some time getting back to where I was, but this definitely helped. Thanks!
VERY nice Dennis Chambers' lick from "Dance Me Home" on John Scofield's Loud Jazz album.
Nah that was Dennis Chambers but the song is called " Blue Matter" . The song "Loud Jazz" is played in 3 over 3
God damn. What year?
This is interesting. I've recently been wathcing Matt Ritter where he says to drop your heel back down after a note and keep the beater off the drum head.
Just watched you video on adjusting my bass pedal... was going to look for a video on speeding up my playability an once agin you deliver..... thanks for all you do for us average/novice/drummers... cant wait to practice theses three lessons....
Thanks again. DJ
This is the kind of instruction I need. 🙏
Finally dude! Thanks a lot i needed that lesson!! Greatings from lebanon!❤
LEBanon?!! 😯 Nice! Shout out from Canada! 🇨🇦👊🏽🙂
Ok. I'm subbing. I've watched a few videos and they're all focused, positive, and informative. I'm a metal guy, but i think it's important learn from all the styles. ...more tools in the tool box, you know. And the double stroke is a serious weak point for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Nice staff here man and i want to say too (if you let me) that the finally meaning of this video is that the position of the foot is connected with the power you need on playing so the position can't ever be the same.It's controlled to the playing and depends to the music that you playing and with the how to manage the power of your foots at every music but for consistency and stable volume all players must play with the heel up method to groove well and dynamics is perfect with that!
Rob you are my drum teacher, you kick ass thank you my brother
Man that was a mix between DC Go-Go and John Bonham's foot. Awesome Rob
Absolutely fantastic! If you have not done anything on this yet PLEASE do an instruction on kick independence.
Blue Matter - John Scofield!!! Dennis Chambers is a beast!!!
Nicely said. I also see using the ankle like the wrist as a pivotal point or as you have a hinge. Great stuff.
I love it, that you mention Thomas Lang, my fellow Austrian drummer ;)
This video really helps trying to develop my foot back
After one day I felt improved. Thanks for all these great lessons Rob.
U is a wiz! Thank u! After just a few days, I’m kickin’ it good! Still a bit weird for my body, but already saving strain on my hip flexor, I must have been using way more leg than ankle! Be well and prosper 🖖🏽Thanks 🙏🏾
Hello teacher Brown. Thank you for you lessons. Greetings from Argentina!.
Really needed this. Thank you sir!
Ex 1 sounds a lot like a Little Feat tune. "Spanish Moon", live, on Waiting For Columbus (vinyl is only place to hear the real ending, it's a fade out on cd). Great beat. Great vid!
This has really helped! I have been playing heel toe but have struggled with it for some time (trying to slow the tempo down, playing on time with it and playing doubles as i sometimes play triplets - which is annoying). Tried this technique out yesterday and BAM! biggest smile on my face! I think ill use heel toe for 16th notes though but yeah this was a game changer. I can now play punk grooves!! Also i have more control over tempo and speed and the amount of notes! Thanks Rob!!! Your a legend man!
Thanks for the quick response. Your videos are really helpful and easy to understand.
Not only he has the look...the groove fits his look🥁👌
Not a drummer but I play drums if that makes sense. So far I've watched two of your vids and they've tremendously helped me with my practice. Glad I found you sir. Great job.
Welcome to the channel, man 🙂👊🏽🇨🇦
At the end of the day all the useful and important kwolage and improve I made is from this channel. Ty bro
Ok
Ok
Thank you very much Rob,I'm just transform my style in a better point of view to clean up my technique,Thanks a lot,waiting sure for new super interesting videos💪😉🥁🥁🥁
Good to get down to the practicalities of improvement. As always, an open progression from talking to walking the walk. Along with The Mueller , those avenues of drumming technique open up when you have a pedal doing more work with less physical effort. When I first encountered that ‘floating’ footwork it also got me to review my seating position and pedal dynamics, including what pedal tension works best for my style.
Awesome videos man they’re really helpful. I’ve only been drumming for 8 months and I’ve learned a lot from you. I’m progressing quickly and I will be trying this out tomorrow.
Hello from Argentina!! Very nice video, you are clear, fun and realistic. Helpful at all levels.
As beginner I'am, thanks for remember to all: Practice makes perfect.
Good work!!!
Wuddup Argentina 🇦🇷 Shout out from Canada 🇨🇦🙂
Beatdown, nicely done. Especially exercise #3.
Drums are lots of fun. ☺️