Single Pedal Technique and Ostinato Ideas

Rafael Dolinski http://www.rafaeldolinski.com In the first part of this video there is a feet exercise that really helps to develop foot technique. It can be done on the pedals or without the pedals. The exercise is helpful to develop the muscles and develop precision even when you are not playing the pedals. The exercise is: Right Foot Heel Up, Left Foot Heel Up, Right Foot Toe Up, Left Foot Toe Up. This is the first step to develop a foot technique that I got from Steve Gadd. Some drummers call it rocking motion technique. It is a nice way to play single strokes with a single or a double pedal. This first exercise is also the best way to alternate between left and right foot when using the rocking motion on a double pedal. You can reach a nice speed on a single pedal too, I've been playing straight sixteenth notes @ 125bpm-130bpm. _______________________ The second part of the video is the application of the rocking motion technique on a single bass drum pedal. Here is how I developed the technique. Starting slow, playing quarter notes on the hi-hat and eight notes on the bass drum. As you develop the precision, speed up until there is a balance of speed, power and precision. Always use the metronome to really know if the notes values are correct. When I reach 120bpm, my leg starts to get a bit tense and I shorten the movement. There is an order to play the rocking motion technique: alternate between Heel Down, Heel Up (Toe Down). The downbeat is always with the heel down. You can always feel the downbeat with the heel down. _______________________ The third part of the video shows some ostinato ideas that I've been using in my solos. My inspiration was Neil Peart's "O Baterista" drum solo. He plays the 3/4 ostinato that Max Roach used to play in The Drum also Walzes. First ostinato: 3/4 between the bass drum and the hi-hat. Second ostinato: The same beat but using the foot cowbell. Third ostinato: 5/4 between the bass drum and the hi-hat. Fourth ostinato: 5/8 using the same beat of the third ostinato. The 5/4