Single Pedalers:

[spartacus1989]

How long have you been single pedalling for, and how have you resisted the Double Pedal that nearly everyone uses now??

Danny

[KCDrummer]

I haven't played double for almost ten years, basically since I was in high school. I got heavy into jazz and just didn't find it very useful or necessary for the stuff I was playing.

I also disagree that MOST drummers are playing double. I know many more single pedalers than double pedalers.

[ledzepjb]

I think most drummers have all started with a single pedal, seing hoe a db drum is drum gear. I DONT like db drum i DONT want to start doing it...so basicaly i hate it.

[caprisun3484]

i play both but i play way more with my single pedal. i do this because the styles i play don't really need double bass, also i use the hi-hat a pretty good amount

[harryconway]

I've been using a single pedal for around 40 years. I've been using a double pedal for about 15 years. I played double-kick for about 23 years.

[Porker69]

I got a double for christmas and used it for a few months but it wasnt very interesting and didn't add much to the music.I found I was really only using it for doubles which I can do almost as fast with a single, I took off the slave pedal and havent looked back.

[khanedeliac]

Single all the way, If it was good enough for Bonham, Fulwood, Mitchell, its gotta be do-able with practice.
Plus, using the hi-hat is such an integral part of trap kit playing that I cant see how I would play double-kick and still be able to use as many hi-hat embellishments; lastly, the music I play has no real use for double bass and AND, its seldom used tastefully.

Holla back if you only use one foot to go 'thwack'

[kingy102]

not that i have anything against people who play double bass pedals but i find that they seem to heavy metal which im not really into im mean look at how chad smith can play the single pedal in this video

go near the end or watch the whole thing
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fHYjTNi0jOM

[ermghoti]

Single all the way, If it was good enough for Bonham...

Bonham had a double bass kit. Plant and Page stole the other drum becuase they thought it was louder than one bass.

[spartacus1989]

Bonham had a double bass kit. Plant and Page stole the other drum becuase they thought it was louder than one bass.

First I have heard of it! I thought Bonham had a 1 single pedal bass drum

[Class A Drummer]

Although i do use a double pedal, the reason i bought it really was just curiostity. I dont go for uber fast speed, just 16th notes really. Now recently, i have switched to my left foot leading instead of my right, so now i can use my hi hat instead of the left pedal. It sounds pretty cool.

[harryconway]

First I have heard of it!
Indeed, Bonham did have double Ludwig Thermo Gloss kicks. Few pictures exist, however.

[rendezvous_drummer]

I've always used single pedal and probably always will. The music I play doesn't require Double Bass.

[Doom]

I use both depending on what I am doing. I like the feeling of playing a single pedal but double bass is valid and equally enjoyable.
There is nothing wrong with double bass pedals and dual bass drums. If you dont like them, just dont listen to music with them in, theres no need to treat them as inferior to what you happen to like. Thats no better than speed lovers looking down on simple beat players.

Theres plenty of room in the world for both.

[fourstringdrums]

I've been playing single for pretty much my whole drumming life, about 16 years. I used a double pedal for a short while years ago, but I was really bad with it. Physically it's alot for me to do.

[drumbandit]

I use the hi-hat so much that I just don't see a double pedal fitting into my musical situations that much, although I am getting one soon to see what it's like. Not really sure to be honest, but it is something which I could easily resist buying..

Tom

[hauk]

I have a double pedal, but I mainly use it as a single. Still, it's nice to have the double option. And I don't go for straight 16th or 32nd runs, that's just boring. Check out Gavin Harrison for tasteful double bass.

[WYdrummer09]

I use the hi-hat so much that I just don't see a double pedal fitting into my musical situations that much, although I am getting one soon to see what it's like. Not really sure to be honest, but it is somethign which I could easily resist buying..

Tom



Thats how I am, I play a lot of Funk, Latin, and Swing music...So I only use single pedal...I just recently bought a Pearl Eliminator Belt Drive pedal. I love it. Such a smooth feel!

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

I've always had a single pedal and I have been playing for about twelve years now. I really do want a double kick pedal. All in good time. I never really spent a lot of money on my set up until the last several months. So I guess money kept me from getting a double pedal. I don't feel I really need it, but I think it would be fun and allow more creativity in my playing.

[Deathmetalconga]

I have been playing 24 years, all that time with a single pedal. I've tried a double pedal a few times but they seemed clumsy and disorienting and like they'd take a huge amount of time to play well. And there are not many places were I could play them anyway, so it would be a lot of work for little return.

For the past year I've been playing with a Duallist - single pedal, two beaters. It allowed me to immediately put my right foot skills to work, maintain full use of the hihat/foot percussion, and play fast 16ths or tricky shuffles whenever needed, which is about 5 percent of the time.

[beefythedrummer]

I have double pedals, play them regularly, and really enjoy them, but it's all about what you want to play. I had to use them because the band I was in was a heavy, metal-ish kinda band lol. Lately, however, I've been wanting to incorporate the hi-hat more so I've kinda laid off the double as much, but they are still a blast to play haha. The only downfall I see in doubles is more in the players themselves, because they can easily be overplayed. Yeah, it's cool hearing double bass, and it can really add to the music; but when they start sounding less like drums and more like machine gun fire, thats when it starts sounding ridiculous to me lol.

[drumminjohn]

Bonham had a double bass kit. Plant and Page stole the other drum becuase they thought it was louder than one bass.

Ahhhhh Bonham never recorded anything in the studio with his double bass kit, he just used them for some live shows in 1969. The whole band made him get rid of it because he was drowning out the whole band onstage.

I use a single pedal because the music I play has never called for a double pedal, and I've never particularly wanted one.

[DrumsAreMyLife]

I used to be obsessed with always having a double pedal..I think until you are really good at it, you shouldn't use it in a show or with your band...wait til you can actually make it sound good with both feet. Most drummers who try it to soon are just weak with there left foot.

[drumtechdad]

I have a double pedal, but I mainly use it as a single. Still, it's nice to have the double option. And I don't go for straight 16th or 32nd runs, that's just boring. Check out Gavin Harrison for tasteful double bass.

+1. Also Dennis Chambers. I like drummers who can do something other than wacka-wacka-wacka-wacka with it.

[stasz]

Indeed, Bonham did have double Ludwig Thermo Gloss kicks. Few pictures exist, however.

True... I googled "John Bonham" and after a while I couldn't find a picture of them. But I did find this...

http://www.orlyowl.com/upload/files/John_Bonham_orly.jpg

Oh, also I have a double kick pedal but use it sparingly... often the single pedal will suffice but I believe the good drummer should have double kick ability because it does have its proper place and time.

[FullerBrushMan]

No offense to anyone.... Live and let live etc.... Everyone's opinion is equally valid.... here's mine.

A drum kit should only have one kick drum with one kick pedal. Period! and while we're at it...
Also, it is important to remember that basses have 4 strings. Not 5 (that would be a banjo), not 6 (that's a guitar), 4 strings... and the bigger and fatter you can get them, the better the tone you'll achieve. No, I'm not joking.

Bless all those who feel differently.... it just means traffic is lighter over here in the "cool" lane. ;) wink, wink, nudge, nudge.....

[jayp]

When I got my first set, All I cared for was double bass, rock and metal. Then I actually studied my drumming and am now strictly a single pedal, bop, funk, jazz, rock player. High hats are one of the most important parts of the kit how could you leave them out!

The moment I realised how pathetic it is to play double bass all the time was when I went to guitar center, and 90% of the kits where setup single pedal and I couldn't even go in their and play one lick that sounded alright because I was so stuck on 16th note duga duga duga double bass!

Now I wouldn't say that its a bad thing to have a double pedal because like most players I feel there is an appropriate time for them the be applied but you should always be able to shred on a single you don't want to be the loser to sit down in guitar center or wherever you go and be the guy who can't use the kit because "it doesnt have a double!"

[DestinationDrumming]

When I can play my single pedal to a great standard I might try a double but not before. I want to master one before I move over to another and end up not really good at either.

Personal choice really!

[JoeyWaters]

I have been playing for 13 years, and received a double pedal 6 months after I started playing. I loved it for over ten years....because I played metal. I changed styles and quit playing double kick because the music didn't call for it anymore. If I still played metal, I would still play double kick. Certain styles call for double bass, thats just how it goes. Anyone who hates double bass for the sake of hating double bass is being rather closed-minded. Drums weren't meant for one bass drum only, they were meant to fit the drummer and style of music played.

Oh, and I feel that drum were only made for one rack tom, I hate any other tom configuration....

[stasz]

No offense to anyone.... Live and let live etc.... Everyone's opinion is equally valid.... here's mine.

A drum kit should only have one kick drum with one kick pedal. Period! and while we're at it...
Also, it is important to remember that basses have 4 strings. Not 5 (that would be a banjo), not 6 (that's a guitar), 4 strings... and the bigger and fatter you can get them, the better the tone you'll achieve. No, I'm not joking.

Bless all those who feel differently.... it just means traffic is lighter over here in the "cool" lane. ;) wink, wink, nudge, nudge.....

Hate to beat a dead horse since you don't care but some basses can have more than 4 strings in order for the bassist to be able to play a wider range of notes, but the number of strings is of course up to the player and different bassists will use a different amount of drum pedals-- er, bass strings. Almost lost the metaphor there.

[MoeDrummer]

I would consider myself a single pedal player... even though I own a double pedal. Allow me to explain.

I've never been that much of a fan of the whole "look how fast I can play my bass" thing. I probably wouldn't have a double pedal right now, but... I came across a good deal on Pearl's Powershifter Eliminator double, which had been used as a floor model at some Guitar Center I went to (the shaft was marked up from rubbing against a stand or something, simply cosmetic). My bassist was also with me at the time and helped to peer pressure me into purchasing it. So, after some bargaining, I managed to get a nice double pedal for under the price of a new single of the same model :D.

I like to practice some double pedal footwork on it every once in a while, or throw in fill accents or whatever, but I pretty much use it as a single. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Moe

[BellsOfRhymney]

There's no resisting double pedal as it is a trendy joke. The gizmo looks ortho too.

[ahum]

I've always been playing single. I've never really cared for or needed double, and 90% of the time I hear double I don't really like it anyway. I'd rather just get as good as I can with a single and not use double as a crutch.

There's nothing wrong with double pedal, although nothing irritates me more than the "hey let's bang away as fast as we can" metal camp.

[k3ng]

you mean there are actually people with TWO pedals for bass!?!?! O_O

just messing with ya.

The vast majority of drummers I listen to never don't use the double pedal. So I ain't using one either. I'm just gonna keep practicing until I reach Jojo supremacy.

[darknessdude16]

Also have both, rarely use the second pedal but its there if i need that option. I do prefer single though x

[rockinrider]

Drums weren't meant for one bass drum only, they were meant to fit the drummer and style of music played.

I feel that this is a true statement.

I've only ever played with a single pedal. The double bass drum/pedal was a novelty in my early days and little of the music that was played used one. I became interested in the double in the late '80s, mainly because of what Neil Peart was doing at the time. Neil, Gavin, and a host of modern drummers are now using the double in very artistic ways, not the constant rapid fire metal style. These guys play Rock, Funk, Jazz, and Fusion.

I'm considering getting a double now, because of what I here these guys doing. Some of what they do is pretty cool.

[spartacus1989]

I think double pedals are great for the odd 4/16th note blast to accent certain parts of the songs or to a triplet role oround the kit between toms and the bass drum, apart from that, I feel they sound to messy.

[Jusstickinaround]

Hate to beat a dead horse since you don't care but some basses can have more than 4 strings in order for the bassist to be able to play a wider range of notes, but the number of strings is of course up to the player and different bassists will use a different amount of drum pedals-- er, bass strings. Almost lost the metaphor there.

Wrong, a bass was made with four strings, it comes from the acoustic bass many jazz musicians use as well as ofcourse Orchestra musicians. You don't see companies making an acoustic bass with five or six strings.I'm by no means a bass expert, but there must be a reason for this. I've known bass players who have had five stringers and they seemed to always make a big deal about having this extra string that just sounded like the biggest guitar string, I never understood the facination with it. As far as double kick, I can take it or leave it, I always found whenever I had one I tried to use it when it wasn't needed, plus it made playing certain patterns easier and took away from me developing my right foot. I do admire drummers who can play very fast double patterns, but in most cases it's purely a physical and not a musical admiration.

[drumtechdad]

Wrong, a bass was made with four strings, it comes from the acoustic bass many jazz musicians use as well as ofcourse Orchestra musicians. You don't see companies making an acoustic bass with five or six strings.

Actually, you do. Just played an orchestral rehearsal. Two of the basses had four strings, one had five, and two had four with the C extension.

Practically anything you can think of with regard to instrument design has already been done. ;-)

[d.c.drummer]

I got to the point where i realized that not only was i not using it (because my muusic doesnt demand it), i didnt need it because i could keep a really fast pattern on one foot.

I do alot of work on my hi-hat as well so i usually need my left foot as welll. I think playing single pedal keeps your playing classy and skillful. Less is more, right?

[joeysnare]

one lil point i wanted to make,a lot of people dont like us "speed freaks" yes i am a metal and extreme deathmetal drummer,now im not saying im the best or anything but i like pushing my boundries.anyways fast players have been pushing the line for a while now,single pedalers and doublers,and i think its the demand of people like us that has pushed so many companies to make faster,smoother more responsive pedals,not saying that we've done all of you a service.but i think this is all about personal growth of your own playing,if you truly trying to make yourself the best you can be you shouldnt have the time or inkling to knock on any style of drummer.
dunno if i got off topic a bit there but ahh well it is what it is.

[cwignall]

Plus, using the hi-hat is such an integral part of trap kit playing that I cant see how I would play double-kick and still be able to use as many hi-hat embellishments

True the double bass pedal makes it more difficult to use the Hi Hat - something which put me off for a bit. However i bit the bullet and bought an Iron Cobra double.

On Wednesday i managed to incorporate a hi hat choke with a double bass lick. Hurts but it has just opened our bands music with a number of new sounds and combos!

For jazz etc its kinda useless. But double bass is not limited to metal.

Im in an indie band and i think it gives an edge (when used correctly) that a lot of indie bands don't have.

[cwignall]

You don't see companies making an acoustic bass with five or six strings.I'm by no means a bass expert, but there must be a reason for this. .

Ahem!

http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product.asp?id=6269

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/23087/a/r/e/base

http://www.maizeguitars.com/basses.htm (towards the bottom)

[Johnny from the block]

For jazz etc its kinda useless. But double bass is not limited to metal.




I would count Bellson to the jazzdrummers... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7O4nmeL7hg (double bass)

As for me personally, I don't have a double pedal or kick because I know I don't have the proper skills to use it to the max. + As many already said there are so much good drummers who do amazing things with one bassdrum(pedal), so why think that we need a double to play good music... Perhaps it's useful for really hard metal, but I think 99% of the metaldrummers overuse their double bass drastically! evry song goes duggaduggadugga from the first to the last note. that bothers me the most. Although I'm sure there are ways to use a double pedal properly in songs (not solo's) off course... just haven't seen much of examples of it.

[Cephalic]

A drum kit should only have one kick drum with one kick pedal. Period!

I'm just curious, why do you think that? I'm not trying to say you're right or wrong, I was just wondering why you think that. You don't have to answer if you don't want.

[Beginer]

I think I would get a double bass pedal only when could do some incredible stuff with one pedal.. At first I really wanted to try the double pedal, I thought it was so cool, but when I did I dissapointed.. On myself basicly..I didnt really do anything interesting, only faster and more.. But its always up to drummer.. I can think of cool rythms right now, that I would like, but the question is would I be able to do it on a double pedal..

[spartacus1989]

When I first got the double pedal, everything I had learned slowly faded away. All I was doing was beating the crap outa a bass drum and not achieveing anything. I went back to the single and learned the very basics over again and picked it up!

I still use the double pedal now and again, but I think people shouldn't be addicted to it!

[ArtyZ]

...and how the hell have you resisted the Double Pedal that nearly everyone uses now??
Well, not everybody uses one.
I've tried double bass and it just didn't work or appeal to me.
I use a single pedal 'cause I do all lot of stuff with my hats. Additionally, not to blow my own horn, but, I'm pretty fast with one pedal.

Arty Z

[Tim Waterson]

IMHO
drummers should be able to get by with a single or double pedal.
I LOVE double pedal stuff but a lot of times it can be a crutch.
Tim

[nebula821]

I would be interested to play around with a double pedal, but when it comes down to it I have to agree with some people on here about not wanting to sacrifice my hi-hat playing. I'm trying to master my left foot in the sense of articulating really quick and smooth hi-hat openings and having a good pulse with my steady 'chick' sounds.

[sevenoverthree]

I doubt I'm presenting anything new here, but this came up with a couple of my students this week, so I've been thinking a lot about it.

DB pedals seem to have great potential melodically, but they are going through those awkward teenage years. The basic concept of leveling the playing field between hand and foot voices is a noble one, but in the current state of things, it's all a little too razzle dazzle for me. The other part of the equation is the bass drum. So much of what we do musically is tethered to a stereotypical tone for the music. I think we can all agree with the DB setup, not all bass drums are created equal. This sealed the deal for me: I'm into too many different drum sounds- I converted my double into two singles years ago, and I haven't felt the need to go back yet.

Conversely, I like what the cubano guys are doing much more. There's a percussionist on youtube doing cowbell AND clave pattern by putting two pedals in a yin-yang sorta position perpendicular to the normal angle, and using a heel toe to independently play the two voices. Kinda the trump play on pedal ostinatos. *bigtime* here ya go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks6KT3B8TUk

OOPSY! wrong clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EgUwytOKCU&mode=related&search=


Not to beat a dead horse, but there are many ways to get to a "running 16ths" sound on a single pedal. It all starts with LOTS OF ENDURANCE PRACTICE.

Gary Chaffee has a wonderful philosophy regarding this: Just focus on getting what you want technique wise- Identifying the goal- your body will figure out the "how" of it...

/rant

[AzTrooper]

I have been playing on and off since 1979 and untill about 3 months ago I had never owned a double bass of dbl pedal setup. I recently bought a Mapex kit with a DW 5002 pedal set, and Ive been messing with it since. I feel like some rock drummers put a lot of pressure on themselves to learn to play double bass because it is so prevailant depending on what genre music your into and play. Im not obsessed with it, to be truthfull the music I play really does not really require it, I just figure learning might help me be a more rounded drummer, but not a better drummer. It never hurts to expand your abilities if you desire it. I have to be honest, the learning curve has been really slow for me, I learned really fast that my left foot was woefully weak and uncoordinated, what else was I to expect? Little by little my strength has improved and so has my coordination and speed, In the end I know that I will use it very little, I too use the hi hats a lot and like I said the music I play doesnt require it, but its a challenge so Im going to give it my best shot and if I need it I can use it, if not I will just do as I have from the beginning.
I really like it when double bass is used tasefully, not as a gimick.It surely has its place in my opinion, it just depends on your musical taste and how you want to express yourself musicly.
John

[eddiehimself]

When I first got the double pedal, everything I had learned slowly faded away. All I was doing was beating the crap outa a bass drum and not achieveing anything. I went back to the single and learned the very basics over again and picked it up!

I still use the double pedal now and again, but I think people shouldn't be addicted to it!

So basically you got a double pedal, took your eyes off the ball as far was playing is concerned and rather than questioning your technique instead you blamed the bat? It does seem to me like you're blaming us double pedal lot for your loss of technique as far as the kick is concerned. It just doesn't make sense. I play a lot of music that needs the double pedal. That's not to say i don't use any sort of technique whatsoever. I can still do the required kick drum techniques like heel-toe and that. But i can do it with my left foot too which is rather nice when you're doing metal :).

[PQleyR]

I played for about three and a half years with a single pedal, and made it my primary focus to work on my right foot technique. I was playing in classic/alternative rock bands, and it worked. Then I joined my current band, who play power metal, and suddenly, however I felt about it, it really wasn't quite enough to just play one. Sometimes you actually do need 16ths at 170, 180, 190 BPM, otherwise it lacks something it might otherwise have had. So I've been at both ends of this argument.

This thing about metal having to have really fast double kick parts is an interesting one. For my part I tend to use it almost as a timekeeping part, and add accents with the ride and cymbals (and snare). It's almost like a return to the original jazz drumming, before Gene Krupa made the hi-hat the timekeeping part of the kit...only instead of four to the floor, it's sixteen to the floor!

[beastdrummagirl]

How long have you been single pedalling for, and how have you resisted the Double Pedal that nearly everyone uses now??

Danny

Well, the last time I tried a double pedal it just messed everything up!! 2yrs or more now. I can get certain beats on a single pedal that you can get off of a double bass pedal. I am trying to get another chance on the double bass. The prob. I have with mine is that if you use it continually it stops working till you fix it and I am like really low maintenence.

[Drummertist]

There is no musical reason i need it. Soooo....I don't have one.

[MadJazz]

How long have you been single pedalling for, and how have you resisted the Double Pedal that nearly everyone uses now??

Danny

Let me reverse the answer:

I have a double pedal almost since I started drumming and ten years later I hardly use it. There are so many things you can do with one foot that are more useful. I prefer to work on other stuff than double pedal, like twin strokes with one foot and timekeeping with the HH. If you play metal or hardcore, I understand you want a twin but for most settings it's of little use.

[mcbike]

I get more compliments with my single pedal playing from other musicians.

also less is more especially with the bass drum. most of the time when i'm playing if I get the crowd clapping on the beat I take everything extra out and just play the beat straight because any little fill throws them off.

i don't even know what happened to my double pedal? I brought it out a while ago when I was playing with a hardcore band but then I ditched it and I guess i lost it.

[Ethan01]

I've resisted since I started 10 yrs ago... I just love hihats that much!

[secondXheartbeat]

I play in a progressive metal band and the double pedal allows me to maintain a steady beat with my hands while using the bass drum to emphasize complex syncopated rhythms and to compliment the bass and guitars.

I hate the stereotype the people hold on this forum of double-pedal players being tasteless, trendy, or uncreative. Sure if I practiced for hours on end, I could play these patterns on a single pedal. I bet if I practiced for hours with one hand I could play most fills with one hand as well. You don't see anyone doing that though; most drummers have two hands and utilize both of them equally (for the most part). Doing the same with your feet shouldn't be frowned upon.

I also jam some funk/fusion type stuff with my buddy where I don't use the double pedal at all. I think part of using double bass effectively is knowing where it doesn't belong.

[chocorion]

Single pedal for the whole time, about 4 years collectively...There is so much you could learn on a single pedal that I personally don't find myself ready for a double pedal. Not that I don't think I would be good at it, but I am sticking with the single until I feel that I have reached a point to move forward with the double. I also like having easy access to the hi hats.

[theindian]

I have played drums for 9 years, double bass drum for about 4 years , with one year off in between when I only used one. I can play with one kick fine but I like to use double bass at some points. I don't really see why people think if you have a double pedal you can't use the hi-hat. I just move my left foot to back and forth as needed, or in-between so I can use both. You can use a drop clutch or remote hi-hat when you need the cymbals closed for long kick patterns.

[Pollyanna]

My favourite use of double kick was Michael Giles in King Crimson's Epitaph. Subtle, but adds something extra to the beat.

Can be heard at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoHzjkdeb1U

Like some others here I find heavy use of double kick loads up the bottom end more than I like to hear. Some really like it. Whatever.

[LeeLovesSabian]

I have always used a single pedal, but I want a double pedal.

I have to spend my money on heads, cymbals, sticks, etc....
So I've never had the cash.

[beatboy21212]

Sure, everybody plays double. Thats why somebody special created the hi hat stand! Double peddles are for cheaters or lackers. Sorry heavy metal.

[baz]

...my inability to play a double pedal is my greartest reason for not playing a double pedal.

Every now and again I set up my double pedal, noodle around for a while, then put it back on the shelf where it belongs.

If I could play the damn thing I would probably own a nicer one.

Barry

[genericdrummingusername]

Yes, I use a double pedal, but it's not some root of all evil. I try to use it tastefully, never playing the same fill twice in the context of the song. Also, if I can play the double with one foot (I usually can), I do.

[NewBeatsGroove]

after listening to either danny carey or carter beauford i dont think there is any question that double bass can be very tastefull if done properly.

[PQleyR]

Are some of you also of the opinion that orchestral percussionists should only ever use one beater for the bass drum?

"NOT that hand! That hand's just for timpani and snare and tuned percussion and cymbals and toms!"

...for example.

[Zabour Amtik]

I played one for about 3 years. I was into the metal scene a lot, and I used it all the time. As years went by, and my musical tastes changed, i used it less and less. About the past 6 months i only ever used it for flams. I threw it in the garbage and got an Axis single pedal. Best drumming decision i've ever made other than laying out the cash for high-end cymbals.

And, I can still play heavy stuff with it. Godsmack is the heaviest stuff I play (I mostly play Journey, Kansas, Boston, etc.) and Sully and Shannon use a single in most of their work, so it works out well for me.

[JT1]

Sure, everybody plays double. Thats why somebody special created the hi hat stand! Double peddles are for cheaters or lackers. Sorry heavy metal.

Come off it beatboy. Face it you can create rhythms with double pedals that you simply can't with single pedals. It is also definitely not cheating, if you train your left leg to achieve as powerful stroke as your right and play full strokes instead of tapping.

I have started to use more open hi-hats despite my double pedal playing, as i feel i want to vary my playing a lot more. But i still will never get rid of my double pedal cause i love the feeling you get when you know you are coming to a part of a song where you can go all out and it sounds awesome with the riff.

Like everything double bass is one drum technique that can add a lot to your playing but does take a lot of time to become good at it (proving we are not 'lackers') but it is worth the effort. However i greatly respect any drummer who can pull off triplets and quads with one pedal especially like Jojo Mayer.

[theindian]

I agree with you post JT1. Even though i use a double kick pedal, I still try to use my left foot as much as possible whether its bass, hi-hat, or foot percussion. At some point I realized that i was neglecting my left foot excerpt for quarters on the hi-hat. So now i try to incorporate rhythms that involve the left limb it into all my playing. Opening and closing the hi-hat, cowbell patterns over a beat, and yes 32nd note double bass runs!

[Garvin]

I've been using a single pedal for around 40 years. I've been using a double pedal for about 15 years. I played double-kick for about 23 years.

HA! Harry, the way I read that makes you out to be 78 years old!

[eddiehimself]

Sure, everybody plays double. Thats why somebody special created the hi hat stand! Double peddles are for cheaters or lackers. Sorry heavy metal.

I think you're the one who's lacking here. Lacking in open mindedness that is. What is it with this quite frankly ignorant attitude that double kick players somehow have their foot glued to the left pedal? I actually have 3 pedals on the left side of my drumkit. 3 pedals. I use all 3 of these, so really if i can do these how does that make me "lacking" in any sort of form eh mate?

[JT1]

I agree with you post JT1. Even though i use a double kick pedal, I still try to use my left foot as much as possible whether its bass, hi-hat, or foot percussion. At some point I realized that i was neglecting my left foot excerpt for quarters on the hi-hat. So now i try to incorporate rhythms that involve the left limb it into all my playing. Opening and closing the hi-hat, cowbell patterns over a beat, and yes 32nd note double bass runs!

Yes exactly theindian, you're correct. Just cause we can use a double pedal doesn't mean we are going to constantly use it. Just cause i can hit a snare drum doesn't mean i'm constantly going to batter the snare head! That is the frame of mind that some of these people are in!

[Thaard]

Started out with double-pedals, but got abit tired of it, since i used it all the time. So to boost my creativity and make my playing more interesting, I changed to single-pedal. Never looked back since. By practicing different bassdrum techniques, you can play almost just as fast.

[eddiehimself]

The other thing i would say is that i don't reckon the thing about being able to play "almost as fast as a double" really works out. I mean sure you can play pretty darn fast on a single using nice techniques. However, there is no reason why someone couldn't simply apply the same techniques to a double pedal on both their feet and suddenly they could play twice as fast.

[PQleyR]

I still think the best argument for is that you have two hands. There isn't a school of thought that says you should only ever play with one hand, now, is there?

I totally understand that the over-use of the alternate-footed bass drum control interface is one of the biggest irritants for any hard working drummer, especially when it wows the uninitiated into thinking the user is very clever when he/she is not. However, is this not a question of feeling that YOU, single-pedal drummer, who's worked extra hard, is really the clever one and deserves more attention, i.e. one of ego? It's just a tool. The existence of a tool does not determine its method of use.

[danduffy1964]

Single pedal for me. Double pedals take up too much floor space. Too much re- positioning of hi-hat. Cumbersome to lug around in gear bag.

[MaT]

I played the drums with a single pedal for 5 years. Then I bought the double, and I really felt good about it.

From my personal experience, I think it's better to learn to play drums with a single pedal, and then add it to your playing later. It's just something I think, my opinion.

One thing I read in this thread, that I didn't like that much is that, why having a double bass pedal should make you forget about your hi hat? I mean, if you can't resist the temptation of playing the slave pedal (or second bass drum) than, the way I see it, it's something more related to you techinque and discipline more than the pedal's fault.

But, I would like to add something else, it is true to me that since I play double bass I think I've lost a bit of speed with my right foot, but that is because when doing ride patterns, I really feel comfortable doing fast-short rhythms with my feet.

Anyway, I used to be a single pedal player and felt, for the most part, double bass was like "cheating", but then I understood that it fits my style, so it will be better for me.

Last thing, I like to play from extreme metal to rock, funk, jazz and latin, and let me tell you, if I didn't play prog rock/metal I wouldn't really need a double bass pedal at all.

[JT1]

I played the drums with a single pedal for 5 years. Then I bought the double, and I really felt good about it.

But, I would like to add something else, it is true to me that since I play double bass I think I've lost a bit of speed with my right foot, but that is because when doing ride patterns, I really feel comfortable doing fast-short rhythms with my feet.

I feel the same way, i have lost single pedal speed due to double bass and i do try to work on this, it's funny though cause if you are doing double bass rhythms in excess of 200 you would think that your single pedal speed would be faster, it doesn't make a great deal of sense to me but i guess it's because you are playing constant single strokes rather than doubles, triplets etc. I see videos of poeple using the slide technique and wish i could do doubles as fast as they can with one pedal but i can't get it to work for me, and since i am comfortable with my Sleishman set up the way it is i don't want to start altering the settings on it. Oh and i never use double where a single could be used that is one rule i stick to cause that just makes you lazy and you won't develop your single pedal playing ability at all.