DannyBritt.com DVD Review:

Techniques, Motions and Applications for Bass Drum Playing by Tim Waterson

Part I of The Review

Tim Waterson is one of the most dedicated drummers when it comes to advancing and pushing the boundaries of our feet. It is mindboggling to imagine even some of the creative possibilities of drumset application from learning the foot techniques presented in his video. In a very friendly and personable demeanor, World's Fastest Feet Champ Tim Waterson shares an abundant amount of foot and bass drum techniques in his new DVD "Techniques, Motions and Applications for Bass Drum Playing". (For this reason, I will break it into parts and more will be added later on, so be back!)

Do not expect to absorb this all in one weekend as Tim covers so many foot topics and questions that are frequently discussed and analyzed in so many of the drum forums. He also shares techniques that seem to be a hybrid of existing techniques and/or his own innovations -- And he explains, teaches, and performs these with impressive ease! -- Perhaps an accomplishment only attainable by drummers that have the fierce foot dedication and expertise/skill that Tim has. And the good thing is -- Tim shows how to apply it in practical drumset situations whether one plays single bass, double pedal or double bass drum. (These topic titles are how I categorize it, and not necessarily the actual topic names.)


Balance & Posture

Tim discusses the importance of good balance and posture, and how they contribute to longevity and avoiding back problems. He demonstrates how an exercise ball is conducive toward working the core muscles, injury prevention, keeping centered (concentricity), and how the proper body alignment promotes relaxation, endurance and comfort.


Muscle Development

Tim talks about playing the feet on the floor and gravity, and a way to work the muscles on both the up and downstrokes (a benefit from the compression spring) via The Futz pedal. Other benefits of using The Futz include being able to practice your feet at any time -- and actually applying both the up and downstroke to a sound source (creative foot advancements!), as it can be used as an accessory pedal. You can also adjust the tension of the Futz.

Foot Exercises

Tim shows a number of foot exercises that are Jim Chapin-influenced. (Basically applying some of the Chapin hand exercises to the feet for a great workout.) These exercises have accents, and Tim shows you how you can go through them both heel-down and heel-up.

He also teaches the following topics:

Tim recommends checking out the foot techniques of Thomas Lang, Virgil Donati and Steve Smith as well.


Triplet Approaches with The Feet

With the application of triplets, Tim teaches the difference between achieving a staccato, "one dimensional" driving feel versus a more funkified (almost more of a ghost note with accents) approach. Very Cool! - And seemed like a foot version of some of the hand techniques of some of the great funk cats! Hip foot syncopation with dynamic contrasts! A cool study also on inversions and shifting accents. The mixed footing also accomplishes the goal of practicing singles and doubles simultaneously. Tim also offers a comfortable way of breaking into this when "the triplets meet the paradiddle".


As far as I'm concerned, the man deserves an honorary doctorate in "Foot Technique and Motion!"


DVD Video Samples!



Be Back for Part II of The Review Soon!




Buy Techniques, Motions and Applications for Bass Drum Playing DVD by Tim Waterson

TimWaterson.net

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