A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
June 2009 · Bimonthly
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In this issue: Techniques For Recording Drum Set: Part Three | Grooving and Syncopated Fills Part 3 | Beginner Systems in 5/4: Part 2 | Hand Drumming Crash Course: Part Four
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Hand Drumming Crash Course: Part Fourby Mark Powers Now that we’re getting comfortable with the bass, open and slap tones, it is time to add more strokes to our arsenal! This month, we’ll take a look at Heel and Toe, two softer (lower-volume) strokes that are often used together to fill in the gaps between other tones, helping us to keep steady time and maintain a good sounding and feeling groove. Stick with me on this one; to get Heel/Toe rockin’ up-to-speed, especially the roll below, is trickier than it first appears. Heel stroke:Lay your hand flat on the drumhead. Keeping the fingertips temporarily ‘glued’ to the head, lift your wrist an inch or two from the drum. Drop your hand, striking with the base of your palm (we’ll call it the heel of your hand). Ta-dah! Toe stroke:Exact opposite of our heel stroke. Keep the base of your palm (heel) ‘glued’ to the drumhead . . . lift your fingertips (toes) into the air . . . drop them down . . . bam- you’ve got it! Easy as pie! Now you’re ready for some heel/toe combinations. Notation Key: H = Heel stroke T = Toe stroke Okay kiddies, first one hand at a time... 
Example #23: Left Hand only 
And now, for the ever-popular Heel/Toe Roll! We’re going to play one Heel/Toe set with the right hand (creating, of course, two notes . . . one with the Heel; and one with the Toe), followed by one set (again, two notes) with the left hand. Example #24: Heel/Toe Roll
Start SLOWLY, keep that pattern going back-and-forth between both hands, practice, practice and practice. With time, patience and persistence, the pattern with eventually develop into quite a fast little flurry of notes. Work on that daily, and check back in next time, when we’ll combine our new Heel/Toe strokes with some good ol’ Bass, Open and Slaps! About the Authors Mark Powers is a percussionist and educator residing in Salem, Oregon. He has studied and performed throughout the US, China, Thailand, Cuba and Ghana, West Africa. Visit Mark online at www.powerspercussion.com [ top ]
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