Sweet Spot

[Simnel19]

LGM

Okay, I am taking SK's advice and working on control at slow speeds with a comfortable tension, however, I'm curious about foot positioning.  On every clip that I have seen, the drummer plays with his foot positioned in the middle of the plate, but, for as long as I can remember, I've been playing the pedal with my foot close to the tip of the foot-plate.  As a result, each stroke doesn't display its full potential, but it definitely gets the job done.  My question is, should I work at "my way" until it reaches its potential or should I refocus my efforts and concentrate on doing it the "right way"?

In addition, I'd like to thank all of LGM.  This site, regardless of whatever qualms people may with it, is extremely helpful and appreciated.  SabianKnight, you're a beast!  Your knowledge about your craft is truly inspiring and I thank you for openly sharing with the forum.  I hope one day I will be able to contribute as much as you have in my time of being a member...thanks.

God Bless
SIM

[Tazmainian Drummer]

Well there's many different views on this ...


    Me personaly I try to stay twoards the middle it seems to give power to each stroke but I find my foot often slides up a little closer to the top 
You can do the same with your foot closer to the top but some profesionals I see like
John Blackwell play mostly in the midle and Some like Buddy Rich seemed to use the whole foot board it's not a question of right or wrong but you jus gotta find wat works for you and where is it easier for you to produce your rythms accuratley at the volume intended at that point in time ...I say try both out and see what you like but as for
me I think the middle and closer to the top are of sum kool suggestions....



  Oh and another thing to help you decide is your foot technique check out DrummerWorld Derick Pope foot Technique I don't kno how to create a link to it but look in videos you'll see it .
Hope that help a lil if any
                                  Stay Blessed
 
                                                T.J

[j_kay]

Sim - everyone has a different 'sweet spot', whether it's on the pedal or drumstick.  You will have to work at what's ergonomically comfortable for you.  What may work for me may not work at its optimal level for you.  Does that make sense?

[JFunky]

...well, your thread is called "Sweet Spot" and every pedal has one.  When I was using the Tama Iron Cobra Powerglide, the sweet spot on it was quite different from the sweet spot on the DW 5000 that I currently use.  The foot plate on every pedal is different whether it's longer or wider. 

...Here's something to think about;  If you play with your foot all the the way to the front of "any" pedal, your stroke is "late".  You also loose "power" behind that stroke.  (Pulleys and axles, levers and glides people. )  You have to find that sweet spot and use the balls of your foot and not your toes.  This is something I work on constantly.  The sweet spot on the pedals is "around the middle".  It doesn't neccesarily have to be the middle.  Every pedal is different.


 

[SabianKnight]

By design every pedals natural sweetspot is 3 quarters of the way up from the heel plate. However, the amount of pedal incline (recommended 4" at the top above the floor.... see Michael Packer... L.A. Music Academy - HiHat and BassDrumm Technique) as well as beater throw will affect that. The CAM is the biggest deciding factor to in response/feeling the sweet spot (just my opinion).

[sktrmoss]

...well, your thread is called "Sweet Spot" and every pedal has one.  When I was using the Tama Iron Cobra Powerglide, the sweet spot on it was quite different from the sweet spot on the DW 5000 that I currently use.  The foot plate on every pedal is different whether it's longer or wider. 

...Here's something to think about;  If you play with your foot all the the way to the front of "any" pedal, your stroke is "late".  You also loose "power" behind that stroke.  (Pulleys and axles, levers and glides people. )  You have to find that sweet spot and use the balls of your foot and not your toes.  This is something I work on constantly.  The sweet spot on the pedals is "around the middle".  It doesn't neccesarily have to be the middle.  Every pedal is different.

Thanks , that lil bit of info just improved my timing.  It's all physics, all physics.
 

[Eccentric-Rhythm]

Sim - everyone has a different 'sweet spot', whether it's on the pedal or drumstick.  You will have to work at what's ergonomically comfortable for you.  What may work for me may not work at its optimal level for you.  Does that make sense?

Lime green??? come on now....Maybe I should do a color change too???
hahaha