Ask A Pro: Double Bass Tips From Mike Portnoy

Q: I’ve recently been working out of The Encyclopedia Of Double Bass Drumming by Bobby Rondinelli and Michael Lauren. I’m very dedicated to my practice time because I enjoy the challenge and aspire to get the control and speed that you have. (Before I got the book, I played with my heels planted on the pedal board. I got a great calf workout, but not the improvement I sought. I’ve tried playing on the balls of my feet like the book suggests, but now I feel off balance. Where on the pedal and how do you play?

Todd Wahlin

via Internet

A: I’ve always played heels-up, with the front of my foot planted about 80% of the way up the pedal board. I sit pretty high, which makes it pretty uncomfortable (and almost impossible) for me to play flat-footed.

My Liquid Drum Theater instructional DVD has a multi-camera option where you can watch a few entire songs performed from the kick-drum camera. With that feature, you can really analyze my feet and see (what I consider) my very unorthodox and probably technically incorrect footing while I play.

I’ve always believed that there is no “right” and “wrong” in drumming. It’s all down to individual styles, and playing the way you’re comfortable. If everybody played the same way, sat the same way, held sticks the same way, and so on, you wouldn’t have players breaking new ground or creating new ideas.