Double Bass Tips for Drummers

Learning to play double bass can be a long, exciting process. Like any skill, it requires dedication and practice, but how you practice can determine how long it takes you to build this ability. While many drummers who try their feet at double bass drumming these days probably do so out of a love for the metal genre, double bass drumming has its origins in the jazz scene. Learning this particular playing technique can benefit drummers of any genre of music, as the training and movements help all drummers become more proficient in their craft.

There are some general double bass tips that can help anyone looking to pick up or improve this skill. Even a drummer who spends little time actually practicing double bass techniques will find that spending some time with it improves their drumming in other ways. Drumming constantly reminds us of how everything is connected and playing double bass is no exception.

While we’re thinking of how all things are connected, we are brought to our first tip: use your hands. A powerful way to practice the double bass method is playing a pattern using feet and hands at the same time. One of the reasons double bass appeals to many of us is that it does with the feet what we are used to being done with the hands. If you want to help your feet get used to playing double bass, invite the hands to participate, as well. You might be surprised by the results.

Another double bass tip is to pay attention to your posture. Keep a straight back and make sure you are playing from your core muscles, not expecting your thighs to do most of the work. The straighter your back is, the easier it will be to play well and for longer periods of time. Leaning forward slightly should not present too many problems, but keep the core abdominal muscles working. If you need to strengthen these muscles through sit-ups or pilates, do so. Good posture is the key to balance when playing double bass.

Calf raises may be the most famous double bass tip. This basic exercise is helpful because it strengthens your calves, the muscles that should be doing the brunt of the work when using a drum pedal (or two). The stronger and more flexible your calf muscles, the faster you will be able to move and the more you will like the sound of your double bass drumming. While this tip can be enacted any time, doing some calf raises directly prior to practicing is a good habit to create. And, the more good habits you have under your belt, the better drummer you will become…even if it takes months to feel good about your double drumming skills.

Drummer Hits (on) the Road

When traveling, make sure to always keep a drum on-hand. After all, you never know when plans will go awry and that drum will give you the perfect way to pass the time. This is what a man driving along the Baltimore Beltway earlier this week already knew. According the Baltimore Sun, a man ran out of gas on an Interstate 695 inner loop and decided to set up his drum kit while he waited for help. Maryland state troopers noticed him practicing on the shoulder of the interstate and made sure his tank was refilled before sending him on his way. Read more here: Man runs out of gas, sets up drum kit on Interstate 695

"Troubled" Drummer Passes at Age 44

image courtesy of blabbermouth.com

Phil Buerstatte, former drummer for the heavy metal band White Zombie, has passed away at age 44. As the third drummer for White Zombie during its fifteen years as a band, Phil had toured with the band during its La Sexorcisto tour in the early 90s. While Phil was only with White Zombie for two years (1992-1994), he was also known as the drummer of another metal band through the 80s and 90s called Last Crack. Rob Zombie had written in a Facebook memorial post for Phil that the drummer had been “a very troubled guy” in the time he knew him. Read more here: Former WHITE ZOMBIE Drummer PHIL BUERSTATTE Dies At 44 

Picking the Djembe that is Perfect for You

For many world music fans, the djembe drum represents Africa and all its musical delights. Djembe fans and drummers can be found around the world and the instrument itself is no longer confined to being manufactured in the Motherland. These days, many of the djembes found in stores, festivals, and internet sites were made in places like Bali, Thailand, or Mexico. What this means is that a prospective drummer has to be very careful during djembe selection. When choosing a djembe, it’s important to know some basic information about djembe construction so you don’t become discouraged or hurt due to quality issues. All djembes are not created equal and even djembes that meet the criteria with regard to looks are not necessarily ideal for drumming. Just as it takes skill to drum well on your djembe, it will take some skill to choose the right instrument.

The first qualities to inspect when researching djembe drums will have to do with construction. For first time buyers, it is important to purchase from an actual merchant so that you can try the drum before you take it home. This is good advice, in general, but drummers with more experience in selecting a djembe may be able to buy online more easily simply because they know which companies carry high quality drums and which do not. Once you have tapped on the drums available and found one or two to your liking, it is time to closely inspect the djembe. While small cracks may be filled in and not present a problem, make sure the drum does not have large or multiple filled cracks since those will affect both the sound and life of the drum. Look inside the drum’s shell. A djembe with a smooth interior is not a good investment, as the spiral groove pattern that is traditional for the inside of a djembe helps create the desired sound.



Djembe shopping should be an enjoyable experience that involves all of the senses. Make sure the head is free of holes tears, allowing for some characteristic coloring due to the natural skin used. The beginner djembefola may prefer a thinner hide since it will be easier to drum, but make sure the hide is not thin due to being low quality. Different countries of origin tend to use certain hides for their djembe heads, so ask from where the skin came. Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, and Guinea are known for their quality hides. Let your djembe show your inner style with subtle carvings or bright ropes and decorations. You will want to enjoy looking at your djembe, so if it comes down to two or more comparable drums and one has decorations that you enjoy, go with the bling - or not!. Picking your perfect djembe means that the eyes, as well as the ears and hands, get to feast, and you may even find that your djembe drum picks you.

Austin TX Community Drum Circle with Kenya Masala

X8 DRUMS, SWAN PERCUSSION and VORTEX Repertory Company invite you to the "Austin Community Drum Circle."

There is nothing quite like a drum circle to make you feel as though you are part of the world around you. If you've never experienced the power of drumming with others, now is your chance to join the X8 Drums community. X8 Drums, Swan Percussion and VORTEX Repertory Company proudly invite you to the "Austin Community Drum Circle."

Facilitated by Kenya Masala. Kenya is a nationally-recognized X8 Drums endorsed drum circle facilitator and team building consultant. As director of X8 Interactive Drumming, Kenya's high energy interactive performances and programs have inspired audiences coast to coast.

Muniz Takes on New Role as Drummer

Malcolm is still in the middle, but now he’s a drummer. Frankie Muniz, the actor who played Malcolm in the popular television show “Malcolm in the Middle” has become the drummer for a band called Kingsfoil. The band has finally made it across the pond and is performing shows in the United Kingdom. The Nottingham Post reports that the band is popular among American teens, so it’s a big deal that they are gaining international appeal. The former child actor says he has enjoyed his opportunities through the years and feels that behind a drum kit is exactly where he belongs. Read more here: Malcolm In The... band - US TV star to play city bar

Kids Love Drumming!

You may be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn't like drumming. Sure, there are people out there who don't like certain genres of music and those genres may be what pop into their heads if you ask them what they think about drumming, but all you have to do is put a drum out where people can touch it to see that drums are difficult to resist. Maybe even impossible. Due to this seemingly preternatural human response to the drum, it makes perfect sense that kids love drumming. The issue is that, sometimes, adults don't always love that kids love drumming.

88 Years and Still a Drumming Legend

Roy Haynes is famous worldwide as a phenomenal jazz drummer who can still fill a room. At age eighty-eight, Mr. Haynes has definitely drummed with more greats than some of us have even heard of. His most recent band is called The Fountain of Youth and to watch them perform is like downing a heavy dose of that famous elixir. A review of a recent performance in Jazzwise Magazine gives those of us interested in how Mr. Haynes is holding up a glimpse into a magical night that included drumming solos, body drumming, and tap dancing. Surely, Mr. Haynes still has far to go. Read more here: azz breaking news: Roy Haynes taps into the Fountain of Youth at Ronnie Scott’s 

A Profitable Love of Handmade Drums

A man in Potsdam, New York, has made a name for himself and put his drums on the map. Tim Damon began his drum-making business five years ago and is finally being noticed by some big names in the business. He used to make custom fishing rods, but decided to turn his love for drumming into a career. His hobby of making drums by hand from local wood sources has became a full-time job and he loves going to work every day. Jason Sutter, a drummer currently on tour with Marilyn Manson, is one of the customers of these unique drums. Read more here: Potsdam Man Marches To Beat Of Drums He Creates