This month Modern Drummer will continue to include excerpts from Michael Packer’s essential book on bass drum control and technique The Bass Drum Owners Manual: Applying the Moeller Technique to the Bass Drum. As you will see, this is a new way of thinking about bass drum (and foot) control that is based in an old, popular, and useful hand technique called The Moeller Technique. Michael addresses the essential components of bass drum and hi-hat control. Let Michael’s wisdom and the wisdom of the Moeller Technique help you improve the control, sound, and eventually speed, of your feet, regard-less of musical style. Alternating Strokes, Hands and Feet When playing alternating strokes between the hands and feet, the bass drum strokes used are dictated by the tempo of the notes. Slower tempos require leg strokes, while faster tempos use ankle strokes. Start playing the following exercise slowly and gradually increase the […]

February 2024 Issue