Besides relaxing, focus on using your calves more to release the tension from the ankles. The more you relax the faster the twitching will be gone. Specially at higher tempos.
My only difference is I use no tension on the spring and it gives me more control of the spacings... so more phrasings... Also you still need to pump your calves every so often to replenish your oxygen lvls in your muscles.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia You are welcome, dude! Yes absolutely, I was just guessing this number because some people on the internet do want to make it seem like its something that is learnable in 4-6 months, which is a pathetic JOKE in my eyes... I have been practising ankle motion alone for like 2 years and failed miserably, now i try my luck with HeelToe and just started practice from scratch!
@prod_adrian I can understand putting rigorous daily practice with A LOT of discipline can bring you closer to learn this "faster" but, honestly. You need to dream and breath Double Bass to make it happen haha. I personally use Heel up Double Strokes (a variation of Heel Toe) every now and then for the crazy fast stuff. However, I've been a single stroke player for most of my years playing drums. So, I use it sometimes as a second option 😆
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia Its just so mind-blowing how people have completely different progressions with this topic. It seems like some people never learn it to be honest, even after years of following for example Marthyns tips etc. Do not worry about HeelToe, if I could play like that with ankles I would just stick to that and perfect it. I think single strokes are way way cooler, but its just incredibly frustrating and daunting to learn, soulcrushing without the progress! Thats basically my only reason for trying HeelToe doubles technique... Might be my only chance for fast kicks.
@@prod_adrian We all have on thing that we need to focus on. And that's finding the way YOUR body reacts to these practices. I have taken more time to understand how my body reacts to apply the necessary tools to pursue my personal goal and pass it to others to help enhance their own work or just add one piece or more to the puzzle. I personally have played heel toe (heel up doubles to be exact) and find it fun at times but its awkward feeling throws me out of interest and I go back to my beloved single strokes (which is more of my nature). This is why I'm practicing daily due that singles are a high maintenance technique haha. Thanks again for the words!!
thank you for the lesson sir! Just a question, is it okay if I also train the heel toe technique in my practice time with ankle technique exercise? I want to learn both techniques. Thanks!
You can. However, I suggest you work on one technique at a time until you develop control, speed and endurance on both. For example: Practice the Ankle Technique at a confortable tempo until your max speed and make it a day. Next time practice Heel Toe with the same method. The goal is to train the muscles until you feel you can switch between techniques with ease.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia this is noted sir! I think I should be focusing on ankle motion first before jumping to another technique. I tried to start in a very low tempo like 100bpm for each foot to make sure that I'm doing the right motion and technique, is this too slow or its okay to start with? thanks again sir!
@@kimcarig714 The Ankle Motion comes into play when playing tempos above 150 or 170 BPM which is hard to keep up only with full leg motion. You can start warming up with full leg motion at 100 until you reach your max tempo using this technique. Then, if you can't play at a certain tempo try implementing the ankle technique. I'll be uploading a more detailed video on how to start getting into the ankle motion. Feel free to check it out once its uploaded :) Cheers.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia oh I see. If my tempo is in 100bpm, I'm not using ankle motion, its the leg motion? Thank you sir. Looking forward to that video :)
@kimcarig714 That is correct. You can play with full leg motion at slower speeds. The Ankle Motion is useful at higher BPM's as mentioned. The video is up on my channel already. Here's the link: ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.htmlsi=lCfP-zqFOoOSlncf Cheers.
Hey Giancarlo! So I seem to be very comfortable with the ankle technique on the pedals without the kick drum/ pad - I just keep the beater swinging by using my calf muscles. But once I bring in the kick pad/drum, I notice that my hamstring muscles also start to get activated. Would you happen to know why and how can I find the issue?
You encounter this because you're striking a surface when playing a drum / kick pad instead of swinging the beaters freely without any impact. Normally, your hip flexor muscles are also activated and this is where you have to release any tension from them or your hamstrings and only focus on using your calves to control the ankle fatigue (due to your ankles continuously moving). Relaxing is key when playing this technique.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia I appreciate and thank you for your response :) Perhaps I need to pay attention to my hip flexor muscles when practicing with the kick pad/drum. My hamstring muscles seem to activate involuntarily, and so I need to find a way to relax them. Would you be open to communicating further (only if necessary) on FB or IG messenger?
@paperpuli No problem. Once you learn how to isolate the muscle groups you'll be able to control the ankle motion without difficulties. Sure. My IG is @ggravelo Cheers.
I've been stuck for years. I twitch at high tempos so can go really fast but no control. And I can control the rebound with my left at slower tempos but not with my right. I've done great progress practicing on the floor with my right (my ankle is loose now whereas it used to be totally locked before when trying to bounce my foot on the floor) but can't seem to translate it to the pedal.
Thank you for sharing your concern. Here are two videos I made with some tips and recommendations to eliminate the twitching motion (which does not allow your ankle to move freely due to the tension you produce on your whole leg). This is common when you're not used to activating / deactivating the muscle groups you need to use to play the Ankle Technique. Hope this helps! Ankle Motion Double Bass Drum Pedal Technique Tips for Beginners ruclips.net/video/OkorvM47nEI/видео.htmlsi=1FxYmhYCEyvuJ-hM How to Master the Ankle Technique for Double Bass ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.html
when your heel is up, what is keeping it above the ground? I'm having a hard time keeping my heel up without using a static contraction from my shin to keep it there. I assume it's your calf being slightly contracted to keep your heel up before starting?
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia Thanks for the reply! One of my issue is keeping my heel up above the ground. When I do so, my full leg weight is on the pedal and it's pushing it down, which prevents it from having a good range of motion because when I lower my heel suddenly I lose balance. When your heel is down, how does your weight on the pedal shifts? Do you feel much difference?
@@kalagan No problem! When the heels are up you are contracting your calve muscle and your leg is in a position where if you don't use much ankle motion you're going to feel it gets heavier as you keep pushing down. Here are some more tips on how to approach the ankle technique. ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.htmlsi=DHF-IKn5it0vICSA Hope this helps!
Giancarlo, how do you prevent the involuntary twitching from taking over at that point?
Besides relaxing, focus on using your calves more to release the tension from the ankles. The more you relax the faster the twitching will be gone. Specially at higher tempos.
Very cool technique, I wish that I could do that.
Thanks man! You can, just need to start practicing and you'll get it down 🙌🏻
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia Thanks for your encouragement, I’ll try hard to get it.
@chuckc7375 You're welcome! Sending good vibes and double bass power your way 💪🏻🔥
My only difference is I use no tension on the spring and it gives me more control of the spacings... so more phrasings... Also you still need to pump your calves every so often to replenish your oxygen lvls in your muscles.
Great! If it works for you, stick to that.
The pearl pedal i want ! I have a dw 7000 . Feels clunky sometimes.
@@MrSean5123 I've owned a DW 7000 and it's definitely not the same once you switch to Direct Drive. Two different worlds!
Smooth technique man! You make it look too easy Lol
this is like 4 years of practice shown in 1 minute video 😀
Thank you for the words man!! I think it took me more than 4 years to learn this thing haha.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia
You are welcome, dude!
Yes absolutely, I was just guessing this number because some people on the internet do want to make it seem like its something that is learnable in 4-6 months, which is a pathetic JOKE in my eyes...
I have been practising ankle motion alone for like 2 years and failed miserably, now i try my luck with HeelToe and just started practice from scratch!
@prod_adrian I can understand putting rigorous daily practice with A LOT of discipline can bring you closer to learn this "faster" but, honestly. You need to dream and breath Double Bass to make it happen haha.
I personally use Heel up Double Strokes (a variation of Heel Toe) every now and then for the crazy fast stuff. However, I've been a single stroke player for most of my years playing drums. So, I use it sometimes as a second option 😆
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia
Its just so mind-blowing how people have completely different progressions with this topic. It seems like some people never learn it to be honest, even after years of following for example Marthyns tips etc.
Do not worry about HeelToe, if I could play like that with ankles I would just stick to that and perfect it. I think single strokes are way way cooler, but its just incredibly frustrating and daunting to learn, soulcrushing without the progress! Thats basically my only reason for trying HeelToe doubles technique... Might be my only chance for fast kicks.
@@prod_adrian We all have on thing that we need to focus on. And that's finding the way YOUR body reacts to these practices. I have taken more time to understand how my body reacts to apply the necessary tools to pursue my personal goal and pass it to others to help enhance their own work or just add one piece or more to the puzzle.
I personally have played heel toe (heel up doubles to be exact) and find it fun at times but its awkward feeling throws me out of interest and I go back to my beloved single strokes (which is more of my nature). This is why I'm practicing daily due that singles are a high maintenance technique haha.
Thanks again for the words!!
thank you for the lesson sir!
Just a question, is it okay if I also train the heel toe technique in my practice time with ankle technique exercise? I want to learn both techniques.
Thanks!
You can. However, I suggest you work on one technique at a time until you develop control, speed and endurance on both.
For example: Practice the Ankle Technique at a confortable tempo until your max speed and make it a day. Next time practice Heel Toe with the same method. The goal is to train the muscles until you feel you can switch between techniques with ease.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia this is noted sir! I think I should be focusing on ankle motion first before jumping to another technique.
I tried to start in a very low tempo like 100bpm for each foot to make sure that I'm doing the right motion and technique, is this too slow or its okay to start with? thanks again sir!
@@kimcarig714 The Ankle Motion comes into play when playing tempos above 150 or 170 BPM which is hard to keep up only with full leg motion.
You can start warming up with full leg motion at 100 until you reach your max tempo using this technique. Then, if you can't play at a certain tempo try implementing the ankle technique.
I'll be uploading a more detailed video on how to start getting into the ankle motion. Feel free to check it out once its uploaded :) Cheers.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia oh I see. If my tempo is in 100bpm, I'm not using ankle motion, its the leg motion?
Thank you sir. Looking forward to that video :)
@kimcarig714 That is correct. You can play with full leg motion at slower speeds. The Ankle Motion is useful at higher BPM's as mentioned.
The video is up on my channel already. Here's the link: ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.htmlsi=lCfP-zqFOoOSlncf
Cheers.
Hey Giancarlo!
So I seem to be very comfortable with the ankle technique on the pedals without the kick drum/ pad - I just keep the beater swinging by using my calf muscles.
But once I bring in the kick pad/drum, I notice that my hamstring muscles also start to get activated. Would you happen to know why and how can I find the issue?
You encounter this because you're striking a surface when playing a drum / kick pad instead of swinging the beaters freely without any impact.
Normally, your hip flexor muscles are also activated and this is where you have to release any tension from them or your hamstrings and only focus on using your calves to control the ankle fatigue (due to your ankles continuously moving).
Relaxing is key when playing this technique.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia I appreciate and thank you for your response :)
Perhaps I need to pay attention to my hip flexor muscles when practicing with the kick pad/drum. My hamstring muscles seem to activate involuntarily, and so I need to find a way to relax them.
Would you be open to communicating further (only if necessary) on FB or IG messenger?
@paperpuli No problem. Once you learn how to isolate the muscle groups you'll be able to control the ankle motion without difficulties.
Sure. My IG is @ggravelo
Cheers.
How does your band hear your kick drum in rehearsals? Is it mic'd?
@@ryanmaxwelll2730 Triggers + PA No Mic.
I've been stuck for years. I twitch at high tempos so can go really fast but no control. And I can control the rebound with my left at slower tempos but not with my right. I've done great progress practicing on the floor with my right (my ankle is loose now whereas it used to be totally locked before when trying to bounce my foot on the floor) but can't seem to translate it to the pedal.
Thank you for sharing your concern. Here are two videos I made with some tips and recommendations to eliminate the twitching motion (which does not allow your ankle to move freely due to the tension you produce on your whole leg). This is common when you're not used to activating / deactivating the muscle groups you need to use to play the Ankle Technique.
Hope this helps!
Ankle Motion Double Bass Drum Pedal Technique Tips for Beginners
ruclips.net/video/OkorvM47nEI/видео.htmlsi=1FxYmhYCEyvuJ-hM
How to Master the Ankle Technique for Double Bass
ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.html
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia thanks man 🙏
when your heel is up, what is keeping it above the ground? I'm having a hard time keeping my heel up without using a static contraction from my shin to keep it there. I assume it's your calf being slightly contracted to keep your heel up before starting?
That is correct! I explained that in this video.
ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.htmlsi=SzDcJEv8Tlz7lKEv
Hope this helps! Cheers.
@@GiancarloRaveloGarcia Thanks for the reply! One of my issue is keeping my heel up above the ground. When I do so, my full leg weight is on the pedal and it's pushing it down, which prevents it from having a good range of motion because when I lower my heel suddenly I lose balance. When your heel is down, how does your weight on the pedal shifts? Do you feel much difference?
@@kalagan No problem! When the heels are up you are contracting your calve muscle and your leg is in a position where if you don't use much ankle motion you're going to feel it gets heavier as you keep pushing down. Here are some more tips on how to approach the ankle technique.
ruclips.net/video/Wc0j1BYEghs/видео.htmlsi=DHF-IKn5it0vICSA
Hope this helps!