Slide Technique

In this free drum lesson, Dave Atkinson introduces you to the slide technique. The slide technique is Dave’s weapon of choice for playing fast double strokes with a single pedal. This is an awesome technique to develop and learn since it enables you to play double strokes without the need to use a double bass drum pedal. Therefore, you’ll still be able to open and close your hi-hat while adding some cool doubles here and there. Give this lesson a try; you won’t be disappointed.

As you practice the slide technique at increasingly faster tempos, you’ll have to meld the two motions into one single sliding motion with the foot. It’s this motion that will enable you to play a fast double, since you’ll get two strokes for the price of one. The motions required to play this technique are very simple to master. What’s difficult here is getting to play two consistent sounding strokes at a faster tempo. This is something that will take time since you’ll need to build your leg muscles to play the fast doubles. Keep at it and you’re sure to master this technique. If you’d like to learn exercises for developing the slide technique, go through the free drum lesson”Intermediate Single Pedal Bass Drum Speed” and check parts #1 and #2 of the free drum lesson “Bass Drum Speed Techniques“.

The heel-toe technique is another very popular method for playing very fast double strokes with only one foot. Go through the free drum lesson on the heel-toe technique next, so you can see which one suits your style the best. If you’d like to further your knowledge on foot technique check the “Bass Drum Boot Camp“.