Single Pedal Technique and Ostinato Ideas

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.