Soft Kick

[bbderek]

So, I've been finding it really hard to play the kick softly, but still get a good sound from it and push the air through the drum. Not only am I not satisfied with the sound, but also find it very difficult to play controlled rhythms at all at a low volume on the kick.

Any suggestions on how to get a better sound or improve control at softer volumes? I've been told that bringing your heel up can help but heel toe stuff just seems really difficult to manage at a soft volume.

[amberfade]

Generally, I've had good success using a heel down technique for quieter passages and ball of the foot techniques for heavier playing...of course, different strokes. In all honesty, you need to find a technique that works and play with it...mine is years old and I modified it much like a ball player adjusts his swing.

[jacoe99]

it may depend on what head u use for ur bass drum as well

[SyntheticTubs]

Don't be afraid to use different beaters for softer applications. I.e. Softer felt vs wood or metal.

 

Back in the day, drummers learned to "feather" the kick to keep below the volume of a non-mic'd floor bass. That is a discipline in dynamics to be sure.

[Wellhungarian]

Here's my two cents.

 

1. Play heels down.

2. Don't bury the beater.

3. Possibly change beater to felt?

4. Buy "Bass Drum Control" by Colin Bailey.

5. Practice with a metronome.

 

Here's some "Foot Exercises" developed by Kenny Aronoff.

 

1. RLRLRLRL

2. LRLRLRLR

3. RRLLRRLL

4. LLRRLLRR

5. RLRRLRLL

6. RLLRLRRL

7. RRLRLLRL

8. RLRLLRLR

9. RRRLRRRL

10. LLLRLLLR

11. LRRRLRRR

12. RLLLRLLL

13. RRRRLLLL

 

Hands play.

 

1. Quarters on the cymbal, 2 and 4 on the snare.(1,2,3,4)

2. Eighths on the cymbal, 2 and 4 on the snare.(1&2&3&4&)

3. And on the cymbal, 2 and 4 on the snare.(&,&,&,&,)

 

Guarantee. If you do this daily for 15-20 minutes, your feet will get better.