Sheepdisease
Junior Member
Ah, now I see my problem. I need to do 16th hi-hat open/closes. Hmmm...
Hello there,
I am desperate to learn how to do what I think would be described as hi-hat steps (open & close) using 8th notes (or if this does not describe what I mean, opening and closing the hi-hat on every beat like Chadd Smith in Californication and Dom Howard from Muse in a few songs).
I cannot get my left foot to play independently from the bass drum in this instance. When I try, I either start copying what I am doing on the bass drum or copying what I am doing on the hi-hat onto the bass drum.
I am able to do most other combinations, like alternating between hi-hat and bass drum every other note but this has been beyond me for a while and I haven't been able to find any material or advise on this particular subject.
I would be extremely grateful if you could share your experience and advice.
Thank you so much in advance,
Shaun.
try to avoid letting the pedal 'top out' (where the spring forces it to full extension and creates an audible clicking noise).
Here's a method I came up with to get past these roadblocks that has worked out very well for me. Play whatever pattern you are having trouble with....without your hi hat foot. What you need to do is first vocalize your hi hat part. Try saying the word "chick" every time you want your hi hat to close. Or if that is too hard, just grunt. If you can't vocalize the part, you won't be able to play the part. When you are able to vocalize the part, it's much easier to try to make your left foot follow your vocal.
If you have trouble vocalizing the part, what I do, is to downshift into just thinking the word "chick". When you can think it in time, then try saying it in time. When you can say it in time, then try playing it in time. I use this method to clear mental hurdles, because it is all mental.
Ah, now I see my problem. I need to do 16th hi-hat open/closes. Hmmm...
one of the best responses I have seen here
...the hi hat is one of the most, if not THE most expressive instruments in the kit and should be worked on and used as such
develop your left foot to have its own voice and you will stand out among those who designate it solely as a time keeper ......and they are in abundance