How to Play Heel-Toe: Double Bass Drum Lesson 

Thanks so much for watching and I hope this video helps you!! :) Check out Displate and get an exclusive discount: displate.com/promo/66samus/?art=63fd1f37628ff 1-2 Displates: 27% OFF / 3+ Displates: 37% OFF OHHHHH YURRRRRRR!!

“But that’ll be okay, don’t worry about it. That’s what the triggers are for.” I love it.

I've been playing drums since 1976, playing in several heavy metal bands throughout the late 70s and 80, mostly in Hollywood. I don't listen to your style of music, but I really appreciate and respect what you do. You ARE one heck of a fine drummer sir.

这是双低音鼓基本功的顶级教材，没有夸张，没有炫技，很珍贵的架子鼓技术。基本功不是乐理知识。有的音乐主要是展示基本功，有的音乐主要是展示乐理知识，乐理知识的音乐需要好好的去理解，而基本功方面的音乐只是把基本功在音乐中连贯到一起。谢谢讲解。

Clearest explanation I have ever heard or seen. Thanks Bud!

I will never play drums in my life, but I watch your videos and even tried the technique, you are so much fun to watch, totally enthusiastic and a great teacher

Samus i just wanna say as someone who has struggled with pedal speed (although im alright speed wise without double strokes, nothing deathcorey lol) and has struggled with double strokes this is the clearest explanation with steps i've seen yet. I appreciate the hell outta it my guy

Thanks Samus! I just opened my double pedal and was putting it together during the stream. Now I will be rewatching this all day!

This is an AWESOME video. It helped me finally got it! To anyone reading this and struggling, I'll give an additional tip. INITIALLY, do it with your shoes off, and do it with your foot as far up the pedal as you can. If you are frustrated, just trust me when i say you really DO NOT need to turn your foot for the initial strike at all (I was convinced that I had to so my heel could hit the pedal cuz I was "different") When you drop your heel, you'll pick up the ball of your foot and toes. You have to find that sweet spot of how high you raise your toes- you'll likely over exaggerate it for a while. The pedal is going to rebound into the ball of your foot as long as you don't raise it to high! That's your first hit. Just try that at first. It might even rebound off of the ball of your foot a few times and hit the drum/ pad. Once you get that, you are gold and then you can get the second hit by lowering your toes and raising your heel. Its a "feel" thing. And once you catch that rhythm, you're on your way

Class act as usual! No wonder you are everyone's favorite (RU-vid) drummer!! 🤘🤘

So I found out loosening your springs is KEY. I was trying over and over for years, after he said that, I went and loosened them up, and it was like magic!! Thanks dood!

This was my "magic ticket" back in the day for insta-speed! ;-) Despite its reputation, this technique is actually very easy, it may just take someone sitting next to you giving real-time feedback to get started. I taught a friend who could only just play "Rock Beat 1" to play a double-stroke roll on his feet with this, but he couldn't do it on his hands! Okay, it was pretty sloppy, but it was a double-stroke roll nonetheless! Anyway, I did pick up a few extra tips from various drummers across the years: 1: If you're having trouble making the second stroke, you're probably keeping your toe held down through years of muscle memory. Concentrate on letting your toe lift as your heel drops. Don't try to actually lift your toe but let it lift by itself with the rotation of the heel (the whole point of this technique is the two-for-one freeby of a second stroke). 2. If you're using a traditional pedal, like an Iron Cobra, Pearl Eliminator, DW 5000, etc., you can emulate a longboard by angling your foot diagonally across the footboard (with your toes hanging off the side) instead of straight up and down. This can be a _huge_ help in getting the leverage you need to feel that second stroke, especially for the first time you try this. 3. If you're using a traditional pedal, GET RID OF YOUR TOE STOPPERS. Toe Stoppers were invented by Satan to allow the creation of sucky Christian Rock music and prevent cool bass drum work. With your toe stoppers out of the way, you can play right up against the chain. Near the chain are other sweet spots, especially if you combine this with point #2, and hang your toes just off to the side of the chain. 4. There are actually two kinds of heel-toe. There is a lot of conflicting advice on this, but one type has your heel hitting the footboard, the other type does not. The type where your heel hits the footboard seems to be frowned upon for some reason (Drumeo specifically advise you not to do it, for instance), but I find it's a great technique for cheap pedals that won't play nice and definitely something you should keep in reserve for a day you're stuck with bad pedals. I also found the type with your heel hitting the board is a much easier way to get started, and easier to play at low speeds. As you increase tempo, you will naturally start to move back on the pedal and use the "proper" Drumeo-approved method. 4a. If you want want to play the dirty naughty frowned-upon heel-hits-the-footboard method, see points 2 and 3. Try starting way up near the chain with your foot angled diagonally (your big toe to one side of the chain and some of your heel hanging off the side of the board) instead of pointing straight up and down the pedal.

Dude I can't even lie this is way better than any other lesson I've watched very on topic and good way for me to learn and I love it keep rocking my man

❤ Fear Factory - Demanufacture! The reason why I'm started to play drums.

@1:49 Finally after all these years off and on of trying to learn this technique, watching you do it with just your feet on the floor I was able to figure it out! I've watched so many other videos, practiced, gave up, then tried again later. I have the technique but now need to clear it up to sound better. Thanks!

Thank you so much Samus, I tried this out for 1 hour and immediately my foot speed and consistency increased dramatically thank you. Hi from Ireland 🇮🇪

Yes! I thought I was doing it wrong all this time because I wasn't alternating each note individually (some drummers do it that way). You brought hope to my drumming, I still have a shot, lol thank you

I just started playing drums last week and have been trying this technique for 2 days now but I keep on failing. Had to resort to reverse heel-toe because I thought I'm doing the wrong technique. No one except you told me that I should loosen the tension on my pedal! Turns out my pedal is too tight. And yes, this is much comfortable for me. Thank you so much for the tip!

I'm 60 years old and Just started working on this after watching this video about 2 months ago. I was having a hard time with my standard DW 5000 pedals so I bought a set of DW 5000 longboard heelless pedals and wow what a difference. After 50 years of trying I found the SWEET spot. lol. Faster, Faster, and even more faster....... Thanks for the insight on this technique. My left foot needs a lot more work but the old adage is wrong. You can teach an old dog a new trick. Thanks

Learning drums rn and this dude is the goat

I´m not a drummer, and I enjoy every video of yours ! Thank you !

5:57 Love the FF Demanufacture reference. Epic tune from an epic album 🤘

My heel toe before this video was kinda there, only like 60% of my heel toe was clean. This video helped me SO MUCH. I can play very clean, very fast and very organized!!!! Thanks 66Samus!!!

Thank you Samusito, since I saw the dude from Origin doing it I felt in love, most important advantage of this technique is that you don't need to put your hihat in Montana.

I havent ever played drums but i think im ready for archspire now, thanks samus!

I love how helpful, funny and how badass of a drummer you are! ❤🤘🏼

the best drum teacher out there, so humble and funny but talented AF

Dude ur literally so good man I've been playing for 7 years and I tried to learn heel toe a long time ago now that I'm revisiting it it's coming along pretty easy now

I've been a drummer since 4 years old. I'm 50 now. You inspire me so much. Thank you!!!

Samus, new subscriber! Love these tutorials and your addition to making things enjoyable and your hilarious!! Great stuff sir!!!

I remember learning this technique back in 2003 and over the years I’m astonished at the speed I can reach. Due to how conditioned my feet are to playing this technique I can essentially double my normal speed. What I found really hard was when my band at the time wanted to experiment with really, really fast patterns on the bass drum. So I had to learn paradiddles and different rudiments with my feet to play the patterns 😅

Insanely helpful advice. Thank you so much.

I've struggled with foot speed for my left leg for awhile and i noticed that my right leg was kinda doing the same. I watched this episode and eventually got better at speed and I practiced alot. Thanks Samus for making this video you're the best ever. Oh yuuuur 😜😜😜🤘🤘🤘🥰🥰🥰🥰

Man has drumming come a LONG ways since I was in bands well over 20 years ago! I had some absolute garbage pedals too, they have improved soooo much. Back then, I would've said there is NO way that you can play THAT fast, and now... ya'll make it look so damn easy!

Wow, really great, but simple explanation of how to do this! I can't wait to start practicing this. I took the advice from your other video, and started primarily using my non dominant foot on the pedals to strengthen it. It has also made using my non dominant foot feel more natural while playing.

omg 7:54 made me burst out laughing and caught me supremely off guard

5:47 I immediately heard Demanufacture in my head, and was expecting the riff to kick in, hahaha 🤘🏻.

Thank you so much for teaching me this technique, I've been playing drums for 52 tears and didn't know how to master/ do this.

I have so much fun watching your videos that sometimes i forget how awesome teacher you are. If i had a teacher like this, i would never had quit do play drums. Amazing explanation.

This is absolutely perfect timing for me, just started learning double bass and this is a great and clearly explained lesson. Thanks so much!

I love how people like Samus think ‘I’m leaving my job to do RU-vid’ and then proceed to excel like he has - lots of respect for you dude.

I’ve looked up so many heel toe videos and yours by far explains it the most throughly and in a way I can actually learn. Nice work. Ohhhh yuuuuurrr

I haven’t played in 15 years but the way you teach, you make it easy to still understand everything you show us. A weapon of a drummer and person you are fine sir!

I don't play drums. Yet here I am

I play double bass, mostly with ''swivel'' but I use heel-toe on one foot only, and just for ''single'' double hits, like in punk beats, triplet bursts, and heavy fills. I probably should learn heel toe with both feet. And, thanks for an educational and entertaining lesson once again

Thank you for this amazing instructional video. I've been putting this off for too long now, and this has really been the breakdown I needed 🤘

Great stuff - the mix of actual serious advice and comedy is perfect 😂😂😂🙌🙌

Those shin splints are no joke man. Thanks for mentioning that. I didn't get them until I joined the army, then struggled with them ever since. I have to stretch my legs after every drum sesh.

This guy is so much fun to watch!

Listen to the man ..my drumming days are about over thanks never ending back 🔙 injuries..... congrats on drummer of the the year Samus..🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉😢😢

You’ve done it again. Great vid, brilliant lesson. Easy going, humour is spot on. Enjoying the info, allows us other band members a real insight into the drumming process. Tip top once again, ohhhhh yurrrrrrr 🤟🏻

I learned this last year when i bought my Alesis strike pro. It has made my double bass improve a thousand times over. Still like watching videos about it though. Never know when you will learn something new.

That intro almost gave a heart attack in a good way I never you could play double bass with that technique so fast.

the chair bit at the end got me 😂😂. So relatable...

Thanks bro your lessons help me so much! Keep making more videos lie this!

I appreciate this dude so much because he doesn't care to be himself he's goofy and he doesn't care He's just being himself I appreciate that so much

"Don't worry that's what the triggers are for" 😂😂😂

You’re an amazing drummer! Really enjoy your videos 🤘🏻⚔️⚔️🤘🏻

Not a drummer but love learning about the techniques for the rare occasion I get behind a kit...but mostly love how you aren't afraid to be yourself (a wierdo) but I mean that with the utmost respect...keep doing what your doing 🤘🤘

This is a great vid on the technique. I have troubles with my right leg due to a disability so heel-toe has been my go to with faster stuff. Well done El Samuel 🤘

Love it! I play guitar but I'm trying to get better at drums so I can record stuff without just programming drums on my computer. This is awesome. Im gonna go practice in the morning before work.

Great job!!!! 38 years behind the drum kit and Pete Sandoval is the one that came up with this how many years ago…. It was showcased on MORBID ANGEL‘s rapture…. And Dave Lombardo did it on grip Inc.…. You keep getting better and better and better!!!! I have been a fan of yours since 2010 with A&W…. I went on tour when I was only 17 years old back in 1995 with my signed band under relapse records… and you kids have done nothing but got better and faster and paid attention to what the pros are doing!!!! Keep up the great work--SALUTE, DUDE!!!!❤❤❤❤

Awesome videos. I've played for years, and have learned quite a bit watching. Also enjoy the comedy. Makes it more fun instead of the channels that show a quick explanation and then go full speed. Thank you for your channel sir.

Thank you @66Samus! This helped me a lot!

Awesome Sam, always had alot of questions regarding this technique. Thanks

You are probably one of the funniest drummers on youtube. Great talent too, even though I have not owned a drumset for like 10 years, I still love to play my air drums, why not practice some techniques too incase I get a new set one day. Thanks for the tips and the laughs!

even though ive been swivelling for the last 5-6 years this video is an awesome tutorial if i ever decide to learn heel toe thanks samus!

You're a beast. Thanks for the tutorial

I’ve been trying this for so long and this video has made it a breeze

Omg that off the pedal tip put it into a whole different light that I could actually understand

I'm so angry it took someone this long to explain this so simply. Thanks, man. I need to fuck with you and Drumeo more.

Great video! Clearest explanation! Thanks

Samus, we all tell you that we love you! Much more important than that is… We like you Samus! ☺😉🤗💕

Very informative!Ive been wanting to learn more about this technique..thank you 🤘🏻

I've been drumming on and off for 10 years and I just now started to get this lol metal bands here I come!

i keep seeing more slayer fans and it surprises me every time tbh. tom araya is my daughters grandpa 😂 i’m in here learning heel toe tho, great video!

Love the Empath shirt Samus!

Love watching your videos and enjoy the tips...Thanks bud

This is great! Thank you sir! I've been playing drums for 20+ years and still feel like my double bass is all over the place and still don't have this technique down even remotely. I have giant feet and have been debating getting long boards for years but as Jared demonstrated in his videos, it can be done on normal pedals. This is the best explanation i've heard! Looking forward to trying it out tonight! SEX!

Dude I fucking love you . Thank you so much for making me laugh and giggle and teaching me how to play drums is such a clear and enjoyable manner. I’ve been struggling with double bass for YEARS and years . And your channel is the first one I go to when I need to go back to metal school and resume class .

Awesome

Love the fact the legs are completely shaven clean and upstairs looks like the yeti got behind a kit lol Great content keep it up 👌👍

Yo I’ve been looking for a technique like this! Legend!

By god, you are very amazingly funnyy af 😂😂😂😂😂😂 and your drumming is absolute my man

That Fear factory thing around 5.50 really made me smile

Bro I love your videos! I’m a new subscriber but your humor is a big reason I joined in, you’re effing hilarious man! And super informative as well bro! One thing I didn’t hear you talk about is if there are any double pedals that are easier to learn on than others?

your silly ass humor roped me in, the technique is why imma stay. double bass is always something I've wanted to get down, but never found a good video (or was just too lazy lmao) definitely earned a sub for this one

What a superb lesson! Please and thank you! Excellent content! Winning!

I figured this out in '88 trying to play Nicko McBrain's galloping double strokes. No idea how I did it, probably by accident but it sounded awesome. Pretty much convinced my peers I was doing double bass on a single pedal. Training it on my left foot was a different matter!

You're an amazing teacher.. Love your content. Keep it up

I am 31 years old and played the (metal)drums for most of my life but I have never heard anyone explain heal-toe so well! And on top its just crazy entertaining. Cudos for making fart jokes funny again. Also: Am I the only one that wildly gets on their friends and loved ones nerves by "heel-toeing" wildly on the ground whenever I'm bored or nervous?

Dude!! That little tom and splash cymbal fill? That was sick!!! Great video man! Its been too many years since I've played but I would love to get back into it. I think I might start practicing w/o the kit at least to get my leg strength and some dexterity back in them! 🤘🤘🤘

Good lesson thanks for sharing your technique.

66S is the best. I laugh as much as I learn!!!!!

I’m 56 years old and when I was 12 years old my bro had a acrylic 5 piece Ludwig kit. He had a stereo with head phones set up in the garage with his kit. I would sneak in there to learn to play those drums. Listening to Led Zeppelin’s first record Bonham had those bass drum patterns on Good Times Bad Times. Well I learned to heal toe the pedal back then. 1979-1980ish. I haven’t played drums in a long time. I should get a inexpensive electric kit.

This just popped up in my feed, missed your vids Sammus! So inspiring, feel like I need to pick up my sticks again! 🤘

"that's what the triggers are for!" my neighbors can hear me laughing

Thank you so much ❤

Why am I watching this? I don’t even drum! Damn you, Samus!

Great video, love all the info including how to stretch