I created this exercise to build bass drum chops and help develop consistent sounding doubles with one foot. This exercise is great for beginners or those who are looking to really define their doubles with a single pedal. Keep in mind that speed isn't the overall goal with this exercise. Speed will come with repetition and time. Instead you should strive for consistent sounding doubles with your foot. Good luck!
- Start out at around 60 BPM with 16th note subdivision on the metronome. Slowly increase in 5 BPM increments.
- Use your right and left hand to keep your foot in check. Avoid flams between the kick, snare, and hat. Make sure everything is lining up. Beats 2, 4, and 6 should be totally unison.
- Make sure the second note of the double is as even as the first. Every note should have the same volume.
- You can also work on double stoke rolls by playing the bass drum rhythm in both hands.
- Get a hi-hat workout in by playing the bass drum line with your left foot.
- To get a deeper understanding of the groove and timing isolate different voices i.e. kick/snare, hi-hat/kick.
Feel free to take this exercise and make it your own. I would love to hear any variations or ideas that you come up with.