Anyone Not Care About Double Bass?

[Dussin]

I am not really interested in it. I have a double bass pedal, but I took the extension off and only play single. Does anyone else not really care that much about playing double bass?

[charlesurich]

Same here man. Used to think DB was a vital and necessary peice of drumming equipment. Thats the bad part, I was relying on it too much. As I got older, I got more into guys like Jojo Mayer, Vinnie Coliauta and Morgan Agren and noticed that their drumming is waaay cooler than any double bass player. So its all about that now. I still have my slave pedal hooked upu (to the left of my hi-hat, so theres no interferences with it at all) and I bust out on it still when people want to play Meshuggah songs or I feel like doing a big solo or something.

[Michael G]

Double Bass is life.

[fijjibo]

/\ /\ /\ /\

Im at the same stage EXACTLY in my drumming journey.

I have been learning JoJo Mayers foot technique, so Im not using the slave pedal so much.

I still have it on my kit in case I feel like I need to use it for a fill or something.

[joeysnare]

i agree with some of that,i have a db pedal and love playing it,but it is true you have to watch yourself and make sure your not using it as a crutch.

[zambizzi]

Here's another vote for not caring. I know there's a lot that can be done w/ double bass/pedal...but it may be years before I mess w/ it again. I like the discipline of a single kick pedal...and having to produce more sound w/ less. I also think that double-kick is so played out these days...and is in nearly everything you hear, I'm just tired of it and don't like the sound. Most drummers don't seem to have the restraint not to pound out too many notes w/ a double kick. I *really* hate the "dugga dugga dugga dugga" rapid 16th/32nd note sound you hear in a lot of metal...ugh...I switch radio stations as soon as I hear that crap.

[mind_drummer]

There's no need to always use double bass within the songs. It may just be a different tool in your playing arsenal. I mean why remove the slave when you can easily play single even if its all assembled. Listen to Steve Smith with Vital Information and you'll understand what I mean. He use it maybe two to three time in the whole albums but when he use it, it fit perfectly for the song, even if he can plan extremely fast double with single foot using the slide technique.

[beefythedrummer]

I have a db pedal and use it..but I agree with the consensus in saying that it can be easily overplayed. I'm in 2 hardcore/metal bands, so when I'm playing with them the double is prominent, but I do try to do more things than the usual "dugga dugga dugga dugga" because it gets tiring for me to hear. When I'm practicing though, my left foot is usually on the hi-hat pedal with occasional double bass action(I admit I used to be a db whore in my earlier days, so I got my db down pretty solid lol.)

[rendezvous_drummer]

I never fancied Double Bass. Always preferred single pedal to DB, and I have also been learning Jojo Mayer's bass method, so when I need to do a quick fill on the bass drum, I won't have to depend on a Double Bass. Man..I'm really going on here. Must....drink.....coffee.

[beatsMcGee]

i find it more challenging to play creatively with a single... and also the music i play dosnt require a double bass pedal.... thirdly i find that people use the slave pedal as a crutch, and have a under developed right foot.

[Ironcobra]

i find that its good to have, but not always to use. i find that single pedal patterns are more effective, but a lot of heavy metal songs need to have that solid fast double bass.

[bonzolead]

Gigging all the time having a second bass drum is just another big-ass drum to caring around besides that I think it takes away from the hi-hat.Buddy & Gene never need it.but even with rock drummers Ringo,Charlie,Bonham,Nicko(I know he uses one on the new album but only one song),Sean(from Alice & Chains),Paice and many other rock drummers don't. need double-bass.IMO I like it when drummers kick-ass with small kits then with huge kits.don't. be offended double-bass drummers I don't. hate DB I just don't. have any roadies or huge stages too jam on.I just stick to the basics(hi-hat,snare,tom,floor-tom & bass drum)if you can't. play the basics you can't. play Mike Portnoy's or Neal Peart's kit either even though I like those drummers.Bonham & Peart will always be my FAV'S.

Keep swatting,
Bonzolead

[rendezvous_drummer]

Yeah there are many drummers out there who use it tastefully...Gavin Harrison fer example.

[Mr. Pasquini]

Some people like it some people don't. It's their choice.



Yay.

[zambizzi]

Yeah there are many drummers out there who use it tastefully...Gavin Harrison fer example.

I would dare say that most don't use it tastefully. I can't say this for sure but I would dare guess that a lot of these guys that do use it tastefully spent a long time without a double-kick and focused on a single foot for a long time before using a double. It's just a theory...but it would explain why they don't use it much and have very tight grooves.

I see a lot of youtube videos of young guys playing double...and it seems like the up-and-comers who have always had the double at their disposal overuse it.

Again, this is just a theory...no research done here...

IMO, the groove-masters aren't usually the same guys who like double-kick. The guys who pound the beejeebus out of their kick w/ a double-pedal usually have less impressive grooveability.

Again...my opinion only. I expect a backlash of "buh whaddabout Joe Shmoe and Jim Sixpack". I'm bias, I think most music that involves *noticeable* double-kick notes...stinks.

[rendezvous_drummer]

I would dare say that most don't use it tastefully. I can't say this for sure but I would dare guess that a lot of these guys that do use it tastefully spent a long time without a double-kick and focused on a single foot for a long time before using a double. It's just a theory...but it would explain why they don't use it much and have very tight grooves.

I see a lot of youtube videos of young guys playing double...and it seems like the up-and-comers who have always had the double at their disposal overuse it.

Again, this is just a theory...no research done here...

IMO, the groove-masters aren't usually the same guys who like double-kick. The guys who pound the beejeebus out of their kick w/ a double-pedal usually have less impressive grooveability.

Again...my opinion only. I expect a backlash of "buh whaddabout Joe Shmoe and Jim Sixpack". I'm bias, I think most music that involves *noticeable* double-kick notes...stinks.

Does Joe Schmoe and Jim Sixpack really exist? AND THEY'RE DRUMMERS?

[Cmak_1]

Gigging all the time having a second bass drum is just another big-ass drum to caring around besides that I think it takes away from the hi-hat.Buddy & Gene never need it.but even with rock drummers Ringo,Charlie,Bonham,Nicko(I know he uses one on the new album but only one song),Sean(from Alice & Chains),Paice and many other rock drummers don't. need double-bass.IMO I like it when drummers kick-ass with small kits then with huge kits.don't. be offended double-bass drummers I don't. hate DB I just don't. have any roadies or huge stages too jam on.I just stick to the basics(hi-hat,snare,tom,floor-tom & bass drum)if you can't. play the basics you can't. play Mike Portnoy's or Neal Peart's kit either even though I like those drummers.Bonham & Peart will always be my FAV'S.

Keep swatting,
Bonzolead


he only uses a double pedal on the song 'face in the sand' on the Dance Of Death album none on the Matter Of Life And Death album

Proof (http://www.drummersdigest.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=47&Itemid=28)

[zambizzi]

Does Joe Schmoe and Jim Sixpack really exist? AND THEY'RE DRUMMERS?

The finest in their genre...which is "Anonymous Rock". Both classically trained by Jon Doe.

[rendezvous_drummer]

The finest in their genre...which is "Anonymous Rock". Both classically trained by Jon Doe.

Now you're just being silly! We all know it's JOHN Doe. He's not German Schyaa.

[Guinness]

I personally enjoy practicing with a double bass pedal in my own private practice time, but do not use one with practicing with my band or live at gigs. It's not that I don't care about it, it's just impractical for the style of music that I play. I used to set it up at gigs and would only wind up using it on the finales and that was it. I think the "pocket" develops a lot stronger in a song with a single pedal. Too much double bass can clutter a beat and become counter productive. Most of it has to do with the style of music your playing and how the song is arranged. It just doesn't fit into what I'm trying to accomplish with my band. On another note...try NOT using one if your in a metal band. Damn near impossible not to. Form follows funtion.

[Diaz]

I bought one, used it, and decided not for me... Maybe when I get to college I'll work on that hahah

[zambizzi]

Now you're just being silly! We all know it's JOHN Doe. He's not German Schyaa.

Oh right, my mistake. John is married to Jane. I might add, their two children, Jack and Jill are doing fantastic at lessons.

[Dussin]

Even a lot of big time drummers use double bass all the time. Sorry but I'm just not impressed with solos where theres someone doing 32nd's on the bass and hitting everyone of their 400 cymbals. I used double bass for a while and I noticed I was only using it to fill in for the slowness of my hands.

[spartacus1989]

Double Bass drumming is really good when you use it for certain things like a 16th or a triplet fill!

but not a constant

cbbbsbbbbbbbsbbb|cbbbsbbbbbbbsbbb|cbbbsbbbbbbbsbbb |cbbbsbbbbbbbsbbb|

[baz]

...I think most drummers go through a phase that involves double pedals, racks, roto toms, splashes, and chinas.

Every now and again when I am in the drum shop, I will see some kid that looks younger than my car just smoking a double pedal as if he or she was born on it. Myself, when I wank away on a double pedal it sounds like a school of one legged dancers doing a performance of River Dance.

I hate double pedals.

Barry

[de Nick]

I have a double bass/pedal but I use it rarely. I don´t hear heavy metal so don´t reall need it. I bought the pedal, used it a little bit and decided that it was not such helpful for the typ of music I hear and play.

[Adam South]

I personally have absolutely no need for a double pedal, though I would love to be able to train myself to use one effectively.

IMO, and only based on bands I've seen locally, I think a lot of drummers use double bass for the sake of it. I think it encourages a certain amount of laziness- they seem to be using the pedals to play things that they could easily play with a single pedal.

Due to lack of funds, and also as a lefty refusing to pay extra for the priviledge of having a left footed double bass pedal, I pride myself on having quite a decent single pedal technique (IMO only!!!) because I've had to work harder at that aspect to play some of my band's covers as a result.

Each to their own though. I certainly don't think double bass is the be-all and end-all.

[Trip McNealy]

I personally have absolutely no need for a double pedal, though I would love to be able to train myself to use one effectively.

IMO, and only based on bands I've seen locally, I think a lot of drummers use double bass for the sake of it. I think it encourages a certain amount of laziness- they seem to be using the pedals to play things that they could easily play with a single pedal.

Due to lack of funds, and also as a lefty refusing to pay extra for the priviledge of having a left footed double bass pedal, I pride myself on having quite a decent single pedal technique (IMO only!!!) because I've had to work harder at that aspect to play some of my band's covers as a result.

Each to their own though. I certainly don't think double bass is the be-all and end-all.

I pretty much agree (or have personal experience) with all four statements. thanks for writing it out for me hehehe.

[Legacyrik]

I would dare say that most don't use it tastefully. I can't say this for sure but I would dare guess that a lot of these guys that do use it tastefully spent a long time without a double-kick and focused on a single foot for a long time before using a double. It's just a theory...but it would explain why they don't use it much and have very tight grooves.

I see a lot of youtube videos of young guys playing double...and it seems like the up-and-comers who have always had the double at their disposal overuse it.

Again, this is just a theory...no research done here...




Welll no amount of research is going to give you an answer because there isn't one. "Tastefully" isn't a real criteria, sorry... It's an oppinion. Now you are entitled to that but still an oppinion none the less.

Also, I hate the theory you should start with single bass first. Use double if you want, try to be creative, it should all translate into more coordination with both feet.

[k3ng]

I never intended to have one since I started drumming. Even after seeing several MD Festival videos with alot of DB in em.

That being said, I will try it.. eventually.

[Joel Woody]

i dont have a DB pedal yet......but i really really want one.......i think i would love it.....

[jayp]

I play mostly jazz so a double isn't necessary, I own an old pearl double that sits in the closet if anyone wants to buy it :P

[zambizzi]

Welll no amount of research is going to give you an answer because there isn't one. "Tastefully" isn't a real criteria, sorry... It's an oppinion. Now you are entitled to that but still an oppinion none the less.

Also, I hate the theory you should start with single bass first. Use double if you want, try to be creative, it should all translate into more coordination with both feet.

I wasn't really trying to be so formal as to say that "research" would mean concrete and scientific. You're right, it's an opinion.

I don't agree...but that's probably just because we're 2 drummers w/ 2 different styles. I'm all for 4-way coordination...I think it's more important to establish a solid groove and I think using that left foot on another kick pedal has less groove than using it w/ the hats.

Call me old-fashioned......go ahead...I won't take offense.

[graham rogers]

i played double bass for a while in the 80's but not since then...
i wouldnt mind giving it another try sometime.

[Mr. Pasquini]

Seriously, I've seen 6 of these in the last few months. Honestly, it's just another tool in SOME peoples arsenal. Some of us use it, some of us don't. Some of us just like to have it around. Some music requires it. Some people don't think that's music, great for them but I seriously doubt that your dislike of double bass is going to make a Lombardo fan hate Slayer.


/end rant

[ZildjianMan1023]

i must piggy back on Ian. i personally doesnt think that it matters if you care about double bass or not.. obviously if you have one then yes. i think those threads are a waste of bandwith.

[Porker69]

I even dont care that you dont care that people dont care about Dbl Bass.
But honestly what else are people going to talk about on a drum forum?

The only thing I think about double bass is that drummers should play for at least five years before getting a dbl otherwise all the other, more important parts of drumming, take a back seat and ultimately suffer.

[Mr. Pasquini]

I even dont care that you dont care that people dont care about Dbl Bass.
But honestly what else are people going to talk about on a drum forum?

The only thing I think about double bass is that drummers should play for at least five years before getting a dbl otherwise all the other, more important parts of drumming, take a back seat and ultimately suffer.

Exactly what I expected to get.
I have double bass, I've been playing for 7 months and I really barely use it. I only use it when I am with friends who want to do metal. Saying new drummers can't be tasteful with double bass is a rash assumption.

[Michael G]

Well you contributed to the problem by making this thread.

[Mr. Pasquini]

Well you contributed to the problem by making this thread.

touche.
202020202020202020202020202020

[Mendozart]

It's just another drum tool. When I started drumming, I learned on single bass. I think there is a benefit of learning on single bass, not a lot of bad habits to fall into. But, later as I moved on to double bass, a whole new approach opened up to my playing. I now just use a single bass kit, double pedal. It's there for when I need it, just another tool. I still play 75% on just the single beater. It still has it's purpose though. I've given advice to several beginners, some who have already purchased a double pedal. I tell them hook up just the one beater for at least a couple months. Groove is the key, and by playing just bass drum, snare, high-hat, and ride, if you achieve the groove, you've learned to walk before you run.

[Porker69]

Exactly what I expected to get.
I have double bass, I've been playing for 7 months and I really barely use it. I only use it when I am with friends who want to do metal. Saying new drummers can't be tasteful with double bass is a rash assumption.

Ok sorry, I should have put there are always exceptions but....

I'm sure there are some great beginners that use the db nicely but the reason these things always come up is that the vast majority of dbl bass players can only think to use it as the straight 16ths. I'm aware of Gavin, Bellson, etc. I even own a double, although it is up for sale since it ist worth it for me to keep around, but there are definately more important things to work on before DB. I'm not trying to attack dbl players at all, there's nothing better than another tool in a drummers arsenal.

But I would say that most of the great dbl players had ample experience on a nuts and bolts 4 peice before graduating to bigger kits with more bells and whistles, but whatever floats your boat.

[jonescrusher]

Well you contributed to the problem by making this thread.

Agreed, why not air the same point in one of these many threads of which you criticise?

[Mr. Pasquini]

I naive assumed my "It's a choice" posts would serve that purpose. They didn't so I did this.

[fijjibo]

Im gonna stick with Ian though this one.

Heres how I see it.

Its all opinion.


We all have four limbs, apart from those of us who do not have the use of one of them. We have a left leg and a right leg. Unless you are Thomas lang with a multiple pedal setup, your left leg has a choice. For those of us with a double pedal, we can either place said leg on a slave pedal, or a hihat. For those of us with a single pedal, we can place the leg on the hihat. If you want to give your leg a choice of pedals, by all means get the double. If not, then your left leg can still do its thing, but on the hihat instead.

IF YOU WANT TO USE THE A DOUBLE PEDAL OR NOT, ITS A CHOICE THAT YOU CAN MAKE. NO MATTER HOW MANY FORUM MEMBERS SAY THAT DOUBLE PEDAL IS GOOD OR BAD, IT IS ONLY THE PLAYER WHO CAN DECIDE.

Simple logic.

[LiveGoat]

For me it also depends on who's doing the double bass. If it's Murph from Dinosaur Jr. or Dave Lombardo I'll listen to it all day. Thomas Lang, not so much. I used to have a double bass kit back in the day but never again. Too lazy.

--LG

[Acronomic]

I agree that double bass is a problem... I see so many youngsters that use it because they think it's the coolest thing in the world. It's just how it is. Their musical and rhythmical tastes will probably change if they keep on playing and listening to music. Personally I use a double bass pedal, but I notice that I play a lot better without it, simply because when I do use it, I constantly think of how to implement double bass patterns etc. . Once I free myself of that, I can probably use it more effectively.

On a side note, I enjoy lots of music with 16's and 32's in it, but I never see myself playing that kind of drums.

[Class A Drummer]

I actually prefer doing double bass with one pedal, and using my left foot on the hi hat. I like the "Chick boom chick boom" sound better. But i rarley do it. I just have my double bass pedal cuz i thought it was cool. I do use it sometimes, but not for 16th notes or heavy metal boosts of speed, but just to ad in 2 quick notes on the bass instead of one :D

[hauk]

I like it as a tool, but hate it when people overuse it - especially for the cliche straight 16th or 32nd runs. I spend most of my time on single pedal and hi hat, but use the double occasionally to add another dimension to my playing. It can be cool when used sparingly in a rock setting. Check out Gavin Harrison, he uses double bass to great effect but always tastefully.

[elpol]

i love double bass.

oh, you don't mean the upright kind w/ 4 strings, do ya...

in that case, i don't really care. not in my bag of tricks, but it certainly has it's place (when used for good and not evil).

elliot

[dan duffy]

Not a huge fan of DB . Always been a single kick pedal type. Gotta have my hats close by . Double pedals take up a lot of floor space. I am a fan of DB if its done right . Hope that makes sense .

[WYdrummer09]

I don't play double bass. I play funk, jazz, latin, pop-rock, experimental, and raggae. Which doesn't really use double bass. I find single pedal just fine, I feel a lot of young drummers today just get a double bass pedal from the start and then thats all they care about. A good drummer these days is thought of as someone who can play 32nd notes on a double bass pedal, at like 280bpm. But I find it more impressive to find somone who can play a solid ballad at 60bpm. Seriously, anyone can play fast if they work at it nonstop. But it takes a drummer with a great inner metronome to play at 60bpm and keep it solid.


Shane

[harryconway]

I own a Yamaha single pedal (actually 2) and I own an Off-Set doudle pedal http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u162/hrconway/134-3415_IMG.jpg To care or not to care about double bass, hmmm...I guess I'm ambivalent about double bass. Like others have said, different tools. I own a tuxedo and a hawaiian print shirt. Which do I wear? Depends on the party I'm going to.

[2slow]

I have a double with my kit and never use it I think I'm gonna change it and save the room. And I really,really don't like a driving double bass. I filled in for an absent drummer at a friends practice recently they play hard rock. Played for 2 hours and most of the songs I had never heard before. I stayed right with them all the way! When I was leaving Tim told me that when their drummer was there they sounded better because he can beat the s^>t out of em. I just don't have it in me to beat the crap out of a kit. I have been told I am a good dinner band drummer!? Don't know if thats good or bad. I play contemporary christian music and like that style!

[bumhead]

interesting debate this one.i own a double pedal and back in the day i could really play it VERY well (head swells),but as i've got a little older i've lost interest in it.i still play in the comfort of my own home but i never practice any 'speed' on it,i just muck about maybe creating a little fill or something.

i was and still am a metal fan but i find the drumming in the genre very stale,with the exception of Chris Adler,Gavin Harrison,Tomas Haake and Danny Carey,who IMO are finding new ways to use double kick/double pedal in their music.i find listening to other styles of music gives me much more inspiration to try something different on the D/B pedal than just listening to metal.even if that music doesn't have double kick to start with.for example,i played along to a Christina Aguilera song last time i sat at my kit,just adding a double pedal in places,to see what i could do.

i'm not trying to offend any metal heads,i love metal,but i think the double pedal is overused for mostly the same 'beats' in the genre.the double pedal always seems to be tagged to 'metal',when it can offer much more.i respect all the single pedal drummers,but i think if you can use a double kick or pedal creatively it can sound good.it doesn't have to be a metal only thing.

[Truburdz]

I prefer being able to use the hithat then another bass pedal, so double bass isn't for me. Plus it doesn't suit the style of music I play. But thats just me.

[Deathmetalconga]

Double bass is so cliched and there are many, many other things someone can do with their left foot. I have never played double pedal, yet I have three and sometimes FOUR pedals for my left foot: hi hat, wood block, tambourine and sometimes variable pitch drum. When I need to whip out 16ths or funky shuffles, I engage my Duallist. For the 5 percent of the time I need that kind of dual beater capability, though, a double pedal is overkill. I'd rather devote the time, space and effort to creating a completely different sound.

[Wegadrummer]

Didnt Nutha play several years with one pedal? And then he changed to double a year ago or something?
I got a double pedal, and i use it 10% of my playing time, sometimes for fills.. But mostly just to test out some Marco Minnemann/Thomas lang kind of drumming just to be more ambidexterity and make some new grooves.. Its not a question if you have a double pedal or not, as long as you play tastfully for the music..

[voldak]

I play in a heavy metal band...which means I use my double bass pedal a lot with them. I think if it fits the style of music, then use it. However, I do not use it (except for very very minor fills) with my alt rock band.

I do understand where every side of this argument is coming from. I totally agree that double bass is completely over used. That's why lately i've been trying to definitely stay away from it in fills, etc. I don't use it for lack of hand speed. I mainly use it as filler in between the tom fills, but I've found that it over complicates the fills, making them too busy.

Anyway, To answer the thread question. I don't really care about it, but then again I do...it's all about the way it's applied to me.