Double bass flams!

[schist]

.... and not of the intentional kind, either.

Alright, first of all a little background - I've been playing double bass for the past year and 4 months, and only just started working on cracking the higher speeds (210-220BPM) a couple of months back - which, of course, requires the utilization of the 'ankle motion'. My problem? At these higher speeds, quite often I find that I keep hearing flams every so often in my footwork.

On another note, I own an Axis X Shortboard double-pedal, and the profile of the slave pedal/drive shaft makes it impossible to hit the head with the left beater with the same force as the right, causing a very uneven-sounding double kick roll. I've tried messing about with the pedal, trying to get both footboards at the same height/angle, but before long it goes back to normal. And even during the fleeting moment when the pedal is adjusted properly, there is still a tiny bit of flam.

So, I guess the question in regard to the footwork itself is - is it all a matter of keeping practicing and trying to get it to sound even? Or is it another issue?

[Therma lobsterdore]

I find that flaming on the double bass is usually a result of my legs tightening/tensing up when I'm playing at speed that I'm trying to attain, it only goes away completely once I can play at a speed whilst staying totally relaxed, and that just takes time and a whole lotta practice.

[VedranS]

I've got nothing to add about the accidental kind, but don't you just love that lick Benny Greb does in his solos where he does flams on snare and then flams with double bass? I think it might be quarter note triplets, but I havent listened to it in a bit. Sounds really nasty to me.

[Tim Waterson]

.... and not of the intentional kind, either.

Alright, first of all a little background - I've been playing double bass for the past year and 4 months, and only just started working on cracking the higher speeds (210-220BPM) a couple of months back - which, of course, requires the utilization of the 'ankle motion'. My problem? At these higher speeds, quite often I find that I keep hearing flams every so often in my footwork.

On another note, I own an Axis X Shortboard double-pedal, and the profile of the slave pedal/drive shaft makes it impossible to hit the head with the left beater with the same force as the right, causing a very uneven-sounding double kick roll. I've tried messing about with the pedal, trying to get both footboards at the same height/angle, but before long it goes back to normal. And even during the fleeting moment when the pedal is adjusted properly, there is still a tiny bit of flam.

So, I guess the question in regard to the footwork itself is - is it all a matter of keeping practicing and trying to get it to sound even? Or is it another issue?
Unintentional flamming comes from the feet not being even the faster you go the easier it is to trip and it sounds like a flam.
I ALWAYS do one foot at a time to make sure I am even BEFORE I put them into a roll.
you should not have ANY problem with the AXIS driveshaft?
play your right foot on the left pedal to see if it is still sloppy?
if not its just your foot thaty needs to catch up
Go slow and speed will come with accuracy and control
Tim

[Big_Philly]

you should not have ANY problem with the AXIS driveshaft?
play your right foot on the left pedal to see if it is still sloppy?
if not its just your foot thaty needs to catch up


I second this. I also find my left foot lacking some power at higher speeds, but if I play my right foot on the slave pedal I have all the power I need so it's most probably my left foot.

Have a look at this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPD-eNi2ngk), it has a control exercise in it starting around 2:30 that I find quite useful.

[schist]

Alright - so I've come to realize that the problem transcends simply foot speed/stamina.

I've found that when I play double bass (ankle motion), my right leg tends to lean in slightly, causing all the weight to seemingly shift to my right leg/foot, and causing me to always lean to the left. Therefore, my left leg feels virtually weightless and subsequently lacking power, causing the flams. The curious thing is, both feet are pretty much evenly matched when it comes to speed/stamina individually. Additionally, my left foot tends to slide up the pedal, probably causing the lean.

I have absolutely no idea how to fix this. Help!

[turbinesaint]

Derek Roddy has some great double bass exercises on you tube. He has you work each foot individually then both together. Do these for a month and everything should even out (hopefully).

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

Actually, this one shows him doing the feet, but the first video explains the exercise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3SLe6VjmE&feature=related

[schist]

Derek Roddy has some great double bass exercises on you tube. He has you work each foot individually then both together. Do these for a month and everything should even out (hopefully).

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

Actually, this one shows him doing the feet, but the first video explains the exercise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3SLe6VjmE&feature=related

Yeah, I do the Stone Killer exercise for 15 minutes, as well as playing one foot each for 1 minute (both 16th-notes) as part of my daily routine.

I also lowered the throne height too, which helped immensely.

[schist]

Okay, this is really beginning to annoy me.

I can play both feet fairly consistently on their own, but put them together into a roll, and my left foot begins to slide off the pedal and lose power, causing the roll to sound uneven and short out after 30 - 45 seconds, regardless of what speed. This only applies to faster speeds (190+).

Is it just a matter of keeping at it for the next few months, and hoping that eventually everything will sort itself out?