heal-toe -- limited to certain pedals?

[thebrza]

I've seen a couple of how-to vids, and in both, the guys are using Iron Cobra. I've just got a cheap double-pedal and I can't quite adjust it in the way that the Iron Cobra can (something about being able to adjust the tension and the angle of the pedal independently)

I tried to adjust my pedal as best I could but I couldn't even feel the pedal working the way it would for heel-toe.

Any tips?

[dw D]

I struggled when first learning the heel toe method. At first i found the heel stroke was much weaker than the toe stroke. After messing with my pedal and trying to position my size 12 feet i realized that seat height was my biggest problem. All i can say is practice keeping the same dynamic and once you have it solid its a whole new world!

[djp132]

My honest opinion to the question in your subject line: NO NO NO, and NOR is it related to foot size.

People should remember that this is a foot technique, not a pedal technique. Forget about all the spring tensions and board / beater angles for now.

In order for us to learn a technique or pattern / lick with the hands, we must first work our brains and the necessary muscles to make the process happen correctly and efficiently. This process has NOTHING to do with the sticks or drums, just like how the motions of the heel toe method, or ANY technique for that matter, have ZERO to do with the equipment you use.

Practice 20% hard and 80% smart, and keep a positive attitude because you CAN do it regardless of pedal or foot size.

Derrick

[dw D]

My honest opinion to the question in your subject line: NO NO NO, and NOR is it related to foot size.

People should remember that this is a foot technique, not a pedal technique. Forget about all the spring tensions and board / beater angles for now.

In order for us to learn a technique or pattern / lick with the hands, we must first work our brains and the necessary muscles to make the process happen correctly and efficiently. This process has NOTHING to do with the sticks or drums, just like how the motions of the heel toe method, or ANY technique for that matter, have ZERO to do with the equipment you use.

Practice 20% hard and 80% smart, and keep a positive attitude because you CAN do it regardless of pedal or foot size.

Derrick

Long board pedals are easier.

[mom]

My honest opinion to the question in your subject line: NO NO NO, and NOR is it related to foot size.

People should remember that this is a foot technique, not a pedal technique. Forget about all the spring tensions and board / beater angles for now.

In order for us to learn a technique or pattern / lick with the hands, we must first work our brains and the necessary muscles to make the process happen correctly and efficiently. This process has NOTHING to do with the sticks or drums, just like how the motions of the heel toe method, or ANY technique for that matter, have ZERO to do with the equipment you use.

Practice 20% hard and 80% smart, and keep a positive attitude because you CAN do it regardless of pedal or foot size.

Derrick

yes, but if your foot doesn't even fit on the pedal it's physically impossible to do it. your heel will not have any way to contact the pedal.

[chuzwazza]

yeah, I found the heel-toe easy, but i still have to push my toes up until the chain is in between my first two toes so my heel can get up far enough on the footboard

[fazzybOO`]

I struggled when first learning the heel toe method. At first i found the heel stroke was much weaker than the toe stroke. After messing with my pedal and trying to position my size 12 feet i realized that seat height was my biggest problem. All i can say is practice keeping the same dynamic and once you have it solid its a whole new world!
YES! I have a rather small pedal and I found it hard to get a loud heel stroke - so I found I have to put in much more force when going for the heel stroke. Having my stool set up higher helped with that.

My honest opinion to the question in your subject line: NO NO NO, and NOR is it related to foot size.

People should remember that this is a foot technique, not a pedal technique. Forget about all the spring tensions and board / beater angles for now.

In order for us to learn a technique or pattern / lick with the hands, we must first work our brains and the necessary muscles to make the process happen correctly and efficiently. This process has NOTHING to do with the sticks or drums, just like how the motions of the heel toe method, or ANY technique for that matter, have ZERO to do with the equipment you use.

Practice 20% hard and 80% smart, and keep a positive attitude because you CAN do it regardless of pedal or foot size.

Derrick
Yea, I agree. It can be done with any pedal. Although it's much harder if the pedals are small.
Long board pedals are easier.

True, but there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to do it on a crappy pedal. If you can manage to get a clean loud heel stroke, then you should be able to do heel-toe. What exactly is the problem thebrza?

yes, but if your foot doesn't even fit on the pedal it's physically impossible to do it. your heel will not have any way to contact the pedal.

It actually isn't. You CAN do it without your heel even touching the pedal. I can't say I can do it well myself - and when I do pull it off, it's rather weak and pathetic.
yeah, I found the heel-toe easy, but i still have to push my toes up until the chain is in between my first two toes so my heel can get up far enough on the footboard

Yeah, haha, I had to do that when I first started, but as I did it more and more it became easier to apply the heel stroke, so my toes barely touch the chain now.

[fazzybOO`]

Setting your seat up higher, and taking your shoes and socks off will probably do it for you...

[aboylikedave]

yes, but if your foot doesn't even fit on the pedal it's physically impossible to do it. your heel will not have any way to contact the pedal.
I am only a relative drumming newbie but as someone who has just learned heel - toe I've just checked the way I do it and the heel stroke is not caused by the heel itself striking the plate. Its caused by the heel coming down causing the ball of the foot to strike the plate.

A question for others: is Steve Smith constant release the same as heel toe?

[T-unit]

Yes, I have size 14 feet and I can do heel toe easily. Keep doing the motion while moving your foot down the board and you'll find the point. No compromise or anything.

And Derrick, I find heel-toe incredibly hard to pull off on high tension pedals as the fall of the foot isn't enough to conquer the pedals resistance. My friend plays really high tension and on his kit I have to slam my foot down do get a small double out of it.

Singles are the way forward IMHO, death metal drummer here, heheh.