Hi-hat and Ride

[Pearlrules]

I've been practicing a lot on putting the hi-hat on beats 2 and 4 while playing with the ride cymbal.

Now I was wondering... can you practice putting the hi-hat on all for 4 beats? (Once you've gotten used to putting hi-hat on beats 2 and 4 of course....) AND IF you can, would it be a good idea to put the bass drum on all 4 beats as well??

I was wondering because Tony did this, and I am a big fan of him :)

Thanks.

[vadrum]

yes you can. you can continue to use quarters on the bd as well if you like, but tony used this as a way to open up options for his other 3 limbs.

[Pearlrules]

Originally Posted by vadrum

yes you can. you can continue to use quarters on the bd as well if you like, but tony used this as a way to open up options for his other 3 limbs.

Thanks. Yeah, I already knew why he did it. But I'm worried though... will my hi-hat on 2 and 4 suffer, because I'm spending too much time on putting hi-hat on all four counts?

(By the way, I usually spend an hour to two hours with just the ride and hi-hat playing consistently at 40 bpm).

Thanks again.

[vadrum]

no your 2 & 4 wont suffer. if anything it will make your foot stronger and give you better control of that limb.

[spw]

For a nice flavor, play the hat on all the +'s.

[frank0072]

I just tried to play 8th notes on the hihat, but my foot won't go any faster than 4's...
my other limbs can keep the speed perfectly, but my left foot just won't. I don't know, I play heel down with both feet, could that be the problem?

[vadrum]

Originally Posted by frank0072

I just tried to play 8th notes on the hihat, but my foot won't go any faster than 4's...
my other limbs can keep the speed perfectly, but my left foot just won't. I don't know, I play heel down with both feet, could that be the problem?

i do find that certain patterns are easier to play heel up.

[Pearlrules]

Do you think I should play heel down or heel up when practicing with just the ride and hi-hat playing consistently at 40 bpm?

I play heel up but I think I'd rather practice playing heel down while doing this exercise, because you build muscle faster that way and thats what we're aiming for... right?

Thanks vadrum.

Originally Posted by Pearlrules

...AND IF you can, would it be a good idea to put the bass drum on all 4 beats as well??...

Lay off that bass drum. That's an old fashioned sound that is not really acceptable in most jazz circles today. I garuntee you've never heard Tony play four on the floor.

[tamadrummer132]

I had never used my hi-hat while I had a single pedal, then i got a double pedal, and when i play at my church without it i always do the hi-hat on 2 and 4......

But i suppose you could do it on 1 2 3 4 if you wanted.... but your leg would get tired

[vadrum]

Originally Posted by Drad-dog

Lay off that bass drum. That's an old fashioned sound that is not really acceptable in most jazz circles today. I garuntee you've never heard Tony play four on the floor.

actually, not entirely true. many drummers including tony and elvin would use feathering sparringly thru out the music. they did not abandon it all together.

as for playing heel up vs heel down. the choice is yours, most drummers ive seen or known use both depending on what they are playing.

[maniac-drummer]

are they the only cymbals that you can ride on? as in do beats, pieces and grooves etc.
i thought you could use the crash and other cymbals too but i've never tried it.

xx emz xx

[mr_hayward_99]

play the 1 and 3 closed on the hi hat and the 2 and 4 open(ie splash) with the foot

[vadrum]

Originally Posted by Pearlrules

Do you think I should play heel down or heel up when practicing with just the ride and hi-hat playing consistently at 40 bpm?

I play heel up but I think I'd rather practice playing heel down while doing this exercise, because you build muscle faster that way and thats what we're aiming for... right?

Thanks vadrum.

at that slow of a tempo, i would use heel down just so i wont have to worry about balancing myself. as i get to faster figures, 16ths maybe, i would be tempted to use heel up for playing those patterns.