This profound wisdom was bestowed upon me at the last band practice.
At this same jam session, while playing through one of our new original songs, I started to play the high-hat and foot trigger at the same time - with the same foot. The foot trigger was set to a tambourine sample and sounded good on the off beat during a reggae-style groove in the chorus. This was new for me, something I have never attempted or even had the idea of attempting before. I think it developed from some off-kit practicing I have been doing when I have some time to kill and not near a drumkit. Earlier in the day I was filling the cow water tub and since it takes 15 or 20 minutes to top up, I sat down on a rock and worked on my foot technique.
The exercises I use are from Steve Smith's Drumset Technique DVD in which he describes using three different motions to play the foot pedals. Toe, foot and ankle. Start with the heel up off the pedal and push the ball of your foot down, then use your leg in an up/down motion and use your whole foot to play the pedal. Thirdly, place your heel on the pedal and push your toes down. Steve says to do six of each repetitively and become smooth in the transition from one to the other. For a better understanding I would suggest purchasing this if you haven't already.
And there I was sitting on the small boulder watching the water while both feet were doing 'toe, toe, toe; leg, leg, leg; ankle, ankle, ankle'. The rubber boots I was wearing provided some resistance and helped with ankle strength so I would highly recommend wearing them. That went on for about a minute when I noticed the Bull trying to nurse one of the cows - a no-no. So I grabbed a few small rocks an practiced my fastball. (Maybe I should have stuck a digit in his behind)
Playing the High-hat and foot trigger with one foot started by using my leg to come down on the hat with my toe and the trigger with my heel. But I couldn't keep sticking the high-hat because it was open half the time. As we continued to go through the song, I found I could play the trigger with my heel while keeping the high-hat closed with my toe. And with a little more practice I could open the high-hat for necessary effect and keep the heel hitting the trigger on the off beats with the guitar. This goes to show that practice helps and it doesn't have to be at the kit.
Band News:
Lance and Woody have been recording Podcast sessions and we will be making them available online in the near future. Watch for them at http://reverbnation.com/shootthemoonband.
