Multiple Questions

[Artyr]

I've been having a few thoughts lately related to drumming, so why not ask the good players here? Anyway, on to the list:

Anyone ever play their bottom hi-hat? I find it simple to switch between playing snare to the underside of mine. The hardest parts I think are the timing and rebound. The former because I'm not used to swinging up to hit something (along with swinging down on top) and the latter because of gravity. They sound great in tandem though, have a nice contrast. The higher bell on the bottom sounds especially good when its open, though I guess that depends on your cymbal.

Can you play without looking? An entire song? I started dozing off playing an easy song, but the hard parts weren't even particularly hard with my eyes closed. I know where all my drums and cymbals are, and they're all within easy reach.

Have you tried any type of grip tape on your sticks? I tried using baseball bat tape in an effort to fix some sticks but it ended up giving me huge blisters. :(

How often do you use ascending tom fills? Most tom fills are descending, as it's a natural progression from the snare's position to go up and to the side rather than vice versa because of the line of sight. I've been trying to incorporate it more, as well as less common progressions.

[raz0r]

I play with my eyes closed pretty often. Helps to focus on the sound.
Being able to play a consistent groove without looking is important. The less you have to focus on making those strokes even, the more natural they become, and the more time you have to focus on what everyone else is doing; an important skill for anyone.

I never bothered with grip tape. I'd only really consider it on the painted sticks (like Hardimons or Langs), but I think i'd be more inclined to sand them down.
Depends on where the stick balances. Adding too much weight throws off the feel.

As for fills, I don't really think of them in terms of ascending and descending. I just play whatever comes into my head/hands at the time. If I'm playing to music (a lot of the time) it'll be pretty much along the lines of whatever the vibe in the song is.

[lewisniven]

never thought of playing the bottom hi-hat tbh, might have to give that a go.

playing without looking is pretty easy tbh, if u know how ur kits setup then its cool. playting blindfolded cud be a good solo thing, lol.

i used to use Vater tape on my sticks, it definately helps if u get sewaty hands, but i felt i lost of some of the control with regard to ghost notes and stuff.

i used one ascending tom fill in my bands latest album, sounds rad if i do say so myself. they normal work best at the bgining of a measure, leading into something.

[bobby__johnny]

i've tried tape. Hurts the hands.

I've tried gloves. loose feel, and for me anyway, strained the middle of my hands because i was not used to the lack of feel, and was gripping awkwardly.

[LoneStarDrummer]

being able to play without looking is a good thing. you should be comfortable and smooth enough to be able to move about the kit with ease and without having to guide your hands with your eyes.

as far as the fills go, i'm kind of with raz0r on this one. however, i find that descending sounds a bit better in most cases. there are certainly exceptions of course.

[oliv_da_skinmasher]

Anyone ever play their bottom hi-hat? I find it simple to switch between playing snare to the underside of mine. The hardest parts I think are the timing and rebound. The former because I'm not used to swinging up to hit something (along with swinging down on top) and the latter because of gravity. They sound great in tandem though, have a nice contrast. The higher bell on the bottom sounds especially good when its open, though I guess that depends on your cymbal.

Never tried it and probly never will, if you like the sound you get then good for you.

Can you play without looking? An entire song? I started dozing off playing an easy song, but the hard parts weren't even particularly hard with my eyes closed. I know where all my drums and cymbals are, and they're all within easy reach.

Yeah i've done this, do it quite alot at gigs, spend the time lookin around the room seeing peoples reactions interacting with the rest of the band stuff like that. Doing it in practice focuses you mind on the sound

Have you tried any type of grip tape on your sticks? I tried using baseball bat tape in an effort to fix some sticks but it ended up giving me huge blisters. :(

Never tried using it, mainly cause i've never had any real problem with grip.

How often do you use ascending tom fills? Most tom fills are descending, as it's a natural progression from the snare's position to go up and to the side rather than vice versa because of the line of sight. I've been trying to incorporate it more, as well as less common progressions.

I've used them a few times, they can sound quite cool in the right situation

[The Feeding]

the only time i really have to concentrate and look where i'm playing is if i'm going back and forth from my ride to the bell, otherwise i have a tendancy to hit the wingnut!

and as far as ascending/decending it just seems to be whatever i feel like playing, naturally you descend it just depends on the beat i'm playing at the time

[Harrow]

I hit the underside of my cymbals once in a while, usually while playing chops type solos. I think I saw it from a Tony Royster Video.

I play almost everything without looking, I have a tendency to stare off into space when I play. It is a really good thing to be able to play while paying attention to what the people you are jamming with are doing so you can get the next queue.

Never used grip tape

I play patterns pretty often with ascending tom fills when I practice, but I don't often apply them in a musical situation. When practicing I work back and forth across my kit leading with my right hand descending and then using a diddle to switch to left hand to lead the ascending part.

[Zebba]

I use the ascending fill in between two toms with some accents now and then, it usually end out good, dont do it with my bigs one though, i use my 10" and 12"... I play in the dark... in my drum room at night time, like 6-7 when I can still play, it's fun and helps improve skill!

the others, nope!

[Riding The Short Bus]

Well the bottom cymbal of a high hat is different from the top. I believe one is slightly thicker or something like that. I can't remember, but that is why one is a bottom and one is a top. There is no reason not to hit the bottom one if it works for you> I have seen players do solos on the high hats and they hit the bottom one. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rwYqA3GFA0&NR=1

You should be able to play your kit without looking. I least I think you should. You should play your kit to the point you are familiar with it. I find myself looking at my kit mainly for the purpose of hitting the heads in the middle, instead of making sure that I am hitting them.

I have a set of sticks with grip tape. I don't play them much, so I am not sure how much a difference it makes. I am sure it can't hurt. I would suggest going with grip tape made for drum sticks. The stuff that is on mine is slight padding as well, so it is good for that.

To go ascending instead of descending it is easiest to lead with your left hand. That is not natural for right handed drummers and I think that is part of the reason you don't hear it alot. Practice your rudiments leading with your left and pretty soon it is not hard to go ascending.

[dairyairman]

usually the bottom hi hat cymbal is thicker, which is supposed to help with the "chick" sound. some people reverse the cymbals. i'm not sure why.

[Riding The Short Bus]

The only time I have heard of people switching them is because they hit hard and the bottom one cracks less. I have never had any trouble with that myself, but it makes sense.

[MeaninglessPhoto]

I almost always play with my eyes closed or if I dont, then im usually looking down. Its a stage fright thing for me haha.

[dairyairman]

i tend to play with eyes closed but i'm trying to get over that because fans complain that my eyes are closed and there are a whole bunch of stupid looking photos of me playing with my eyes closed. i've even missed cymbals a couple of times during big shows, so i've decided it's time to watch what i'm doing and concentrate on looking more photogenic.