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Being Indecisive
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knightcrawler
 
Posts: 184
Joined: Aug 23, 2008
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No. 1 Posted on Jan 17, 2013 1:37 PM
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OK, I can't decide on if I want to go for a single pedal or a double pedal. I need a new pedal, badly. I used a double only once in my life and I've been mostly using single pedal. I actually like single pedal the best, helps me move, and I feel more comfy with a single pedal (not a lot of clutter, space to move the hi-hat, etc.)
For me, I only see a use for a double pedal for fills like Thomas Lang, or just metal.
Do I need a double pedal?
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paul
paulmiller
Posts: 2601
Joined: Jan 23, 2005
Location: Lewisville, Texas, USA
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No. 3 Posted on Jan 17, 2013 5:17 PM
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I use my double pedal for everything, including small group jazz gigs. There are occasions when it's set up and doesn't get used, but then it just acts as a hihat positioning device.
It gets used more in a rock setting, but I've found it an interesting tool in all kinds of jazz settings, too, and it often comes as a surprise to audience and musicians alike, usually to good effect.
That said, it sounds to me like you don't really want to use one. In that case, don't. It's not a required piece of hardware, just another tool that some find useful at different times, like a cowbell.
The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely preferable to the presence of those who think they've found it. - Terry Pratchett
Just Add Sticks
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Pearl57
Posts: 83
Joined: Jun 19, 2011
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Singlestroker
Posts: 423
Joined: Apr 7, 2010
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No. 10 Posted on Jan 21, 2013 2:50 PM
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paul wrote:
"The more you know about music the better; and more doors will open up to you."
What Sherm said.
I agree, but I think it's more than that for many of us. I have some good friends who are happy, and have been happy for forty years, playing the same material year in, year out.
However, I, for one, like to learn as much as possible, and get as good as I possibly can at, anything I do. This desire has, so far, survived despite the fact that failing health means that a great deal of what I am working on will never be seen in a public performance.
I just love learning, and to try to meet its challenges.
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OldFart
Mapex
Posts: 6611
Joined: Apr 2, 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
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No. 11 Posted on Jan 22, 2013 10:03 AM
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I owned a Double-Bass kit back another lifetime ago.
If you have it, you'll find a way to use it. It could be useful to you; it was for me. Although I never kept careful track, I only played the second Bass part of the time.
I would, however, straddle my foot over the Hat pedal and Bass pedal simultaneously with the ball and toes of the left foot on the Hat foot-board and the heel playing the Bass. Being younger and far less arthritic, I could play that way.
I learned from having the gear that playing a Hat in various ways turned out to be way more important to me than trying to roll on the Bass ... but that is useful, too. I couldn't have found that out without having a Double-Bass kit for an extended period.
You might want to purchase a Double-pedal from a reputable store which will allow returns. Trouble with that is, they'd usually give 'store credit' where you can apply the purchase price to some other equal-value goods. I bring it up because I'd hate to see you drop a significant amount on a Double-Pedal and only come to a final conclusion that it's not really 'your thing' and be out any significant amount. Carefully check the store's time limit if you chance that approach ( and remember, the gear has to be in their hands before the drop-dead date and hour).
Mapex Saturn * Paiste
Terry Bozzio Single-Ply Coated
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knightcrawler
Posts: 184
Joined: Aug 23, 2008
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No. 12 Posted on Jan 25, 2013 8:54 AM
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See! That's why I'm being indecisive. I can learn metal, which includes double bass, but then that means I need to take time out of stuff I love like rock, alternative, latin, funk. Stuff I've played for years and never needed a double pedal.
The only times I used a double pedal was for grooves but I shrunk the size of my kit to just 3 toms, kick, snare, 4-6 cymbals, and other percussion toys. Which is why I was sought after.
However, I love to play, and because I'm not seeking a metal band that requires double bass, I figured what's the point? Actually, I helped start bands and played gigs because I could play stuff that most "metal" guys couldn't play.
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Dave
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Pearl57
Posts: 83
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No. 14 Posted on Jan 25, 2013 10:33 AM
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learn metal, which includes double bass, but then that means I need to take time out of stuff I love like rock, alternative, latin, funk. Stuff I've played for years and never needed a double pedal.
The only times I used a double pedal was for grooves but I shrunk the size of my kit to just 3 toms, kick, snare, 4-6 cymbals, and other percussion toys. Which is why I was sought after.
However, I love to play, and because I'm not seeking a metal band that requires double bass, I figured what's the point? Actually, I helped start bands and played gigs because I could play stuff that most "metal" guys couldn't play.
Metal is not the only style of music that a double pedal can be utilized. Almost all the music you listed has potential for double pedal usage....It doesn't have to be straight 1/8 or 1/16 note continuous patterns....
Pearl57 edited on Jan 25, 2013 10:40 AM
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OldFart
Mapex
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Joined: Apr 2, 2007
Location: Peoria, AZ
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No. 15 Posted on Jan 25, 2013 11:45 AM
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Pearl57 wrote:
learn metal, which includes double bass, but then that means I need to take time out of stuff I love like rock, alternative, latin, funk. Stuff I've played for years and never needed a double pedal.
The only times I used a double pedal was for grooves but I shrunk the size of my kit to just 3 toms, kick, snare, 4-6 cymbals, and other percussion toys. Which is why I was sought after.
However, I love to play, and because I'm not seeking a metal band that requires double bass, I figured what's the point? Actually, I helped start bands and played gigs because I could play stuff that most "metal" guys couldn't play.
Metal is not the only style of music that a double pedal can be utilized. Almost all the music you listed has potential for double pedal usage....It doesn't have to be straight 1/8 or 1/16 note continuous patterns....
Right - and a good point. Most of my double-bass work was devoted to patterns. I might burst a very short roll here and there, but the music I played (before Metal was very well defined) didn't call for it; and I'm not sure I would've been lured in that direction.
Mapex Saturn * Paiste
Terry Bozzio Single-Ply Coated
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Drummistic
Posts: 525
Joined: Jan 15, 2005
Location: Rochester, MN
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No. 17 Posted on Jan 25, 2013 1:08 PM
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knightcrawler wrote:
...However, I love to play, and because I'm not seeking a metal band that requires double bass...
You have your answer right there, it is not if you need a double pedal, but more about if you want to use it.
I'm too old to make a credible heavy/trash drummer with constant use of double bass patterns, and it is not the type of music that I would find interesting (again it is me, LJ, who doesn't find it engaging, I'm NOT saying that it is not a valid music style)
A couple of years ago though, I got involved in a quite interesting project that included people from Latin America, US and Europe. One of the songs in that project made extensive use of double bass drumming, so it motivated me to get a double pedal and I learned to play it well enough to make the recording. I still have it and use it here and there, but because I find it interesting, not because I need to.
LJ
Black Panther (Mapex) Velvetone Drum Set.
Rocket Shell 14x5, Yamaha SD493 Brass Piccolo and Black Panther Velvetone Snare Drums.
Zildjian Cymbals.
Remo Heads.
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HuskerFan
Yay college
Posts: 1828
Joined: Oct 24, 2008
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
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No. 22 Posted on Jan 26, 2013 10:19 PM
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Singlestroker wrote:
I am not sure what you mean by "gear-wise". If you have in mind how I tune the drum (since what I use to play it is obvious - a double pedal), the answer is that I tune in in no way special.
As to how I play the rolls, I think you'll have gathered that I (and probably everyone else) cannot produce press-rolls with the pedals. I simply play single-stroke rolls as fast as possible while maintaining, the correct time and as fast as the speed of the piece will allow.
I was partially interested in tuning, but I was wondering more if you use something like Vater Vintage Bomber or even old lambswool beaters to get a softer sound, more like a concert bass drum. I should have been more specific.
Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz in Copper Sparkle
Zildjian, Dream, and Wuhan cymbals
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Singlestroker
Posts: 423
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No. 24 Posted on Jan 28, 2013 2:30 PM
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HuskerFan wrote:
... to get a softer sound, more like a concert bass drum.
Joshua, I apologise. I haven't been too forthcoming with my replies.
I should have said that it is always a compromise where there is only one percussionist in a British brass band because they play many different styles of music.
I should also have mentioned that, for portability and economy of space, in both our very cramped venues as far as stage space goes, as well as in my small car, I gig with an 18" bass drum. This does limit the scope for imitating a concert bass drum over and above the limitations of playing with pedals. Despite the small diameter, it is, however still possible to strike then immediately release to get a resonant note, or alternatively to strike and momentarily hold the beater on the head. This applies both to individual strokes and to rolls.
I am working on more or less corresponding techniques with the hi-hat. As you may know, imitating clash cymbals is not too difficult when it is a simple case of clash-and-let-ring. Clash and damp is a whole lot harder, but it can be done, as I've been able to do, but only in fits and starts so far.
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knightcrawler
Posts: 184
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