Does shoe size matter???

[Simnel19]

Hello LGM

Right now I'm in the process of trying to become proficient in the 'Heel/Toe Tech.'  However, I wear a size 11.5 and I use a DW 5000, will my shoe size hinder my growth at all???

Thanks and God bless
SIM

[kaddw]

no it will not hinder your growth. I wear a thirteen and have absolutley no problems. Just continue to work at it, you'll get it.

[hallchamp]

I agree exactly with my brotha....shoe size means nothin....just keep workin

[Butta]

I’ve heard this sort of thing before and this doesn’t do anything but deter brothas away from their God given gift .  My opinion is that your foot/feet size has nothing to do with your bass drum playing.
You say you’re working on the “heel & toe” technique and that’s fine. However, if that particular technique isn’t producing any results,  then try another technique, preferably YOUR OWN.

The way I see it is like this: Someone (1 person) found a way (their way) of doing this (heel & toe). It caught on cuz others wanted to do this to. But my thing is, how come YOU can’t come up with your own technique.
For example, myself.  A few years ago, I bought the Jim Chapin video wanting to know about this *Moeller Technique*.  Man ..let me tell ya! I grew so frustrated with this cuz it seemed that I just couldn’t get it.
It took me the longest  to come to my senses and say, “Hey!, forget this technique for now and come up with your own way.”  “Moeller , was only 1 person right?” I asked myself. After doing this for so long,  My hands got soooooo much better . So much so,  I was then able to do the Moeller technique a lot better.

So all I’m saying is that God has given you a gift. Yea, there are materials & people out there that can only ASSIST in achieving your goal. But when it’s all said and done Brotha,  that gift is yours. No one person can tell you how to use your gift only God can. That’s between you & Him. You may be the one to give others like yourself *hope* that they too can achieve this.

Now having said that, I to, had the *heel & toe dilemma*  but like the Moeller technique, I said let me find my own way. Now I get a lot of katz telling me I do mine the hard way. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the  natural way.  Practicing *flat footed* on pedal (Billy Cobham knows what he’s talking about yaw‘ll).  And just simply practicing triplets and doubles with my foot in *my* natural playing  position on the pedal.

So along with your *heel and toe* practice try these to.
Practice Flat footed 16th notes & triplets . Get some sort of timer. Practice this for about 5-10+ minutes Fast and increasing volume NON-STOP.  Slow down if you have to but don’t stop until time is up.

Or: Practice 16th notes & triplets Flat footed and Natural Playing Position going as fast and increasing volume until your muscles start to burn then stop.  Don’t over do it.
 
What I like to do is get a song that has a good tempo and practice 16th notes & triplets over that.  With snare on 2&4 / hi hat 8th notes.  This helps me in developing my foot/feet musically.

Hope this helps.

Smuv as Butta, Holla
Peace & God Bless

[2TallDrummer]

Hey Bro be encouraged.  I wear a 14D and have been playing for over 25 years.  Like someone said, just do what you do and don't let what may appear to be a limitation deter you from pursuing you God-Given gifts and talents.  You are the size you are.  I'm 6 foot 5 inches and weigh about 280 right now.  Playing drums for me has always been a physically challenging thing, but that doesn't mean I can't play as fast or do things smaller and shorter drummers do.  If I play on a smaller guy's set I just have to adjust things a little, the same would occur if someone is playing my set.  For years I was playing heel down only and struggled to get the toe approach down.  It took a lot of practice and hard work to the point that now I can play both styles fluidly.  Look at Jeff Davis, I've seen him in person and he's bigger than me and look how fast he is on the drums and especially the bass drum.  I guarantee you he wears at least a 13 or 14.  Keep practicing.  If you can conceive it in your mind and hear it in your ear you can do it with your body (feet and hands).  With God there are no limitations.  Be blessed.