Extra Knowledge
Hi i would like to just add to what was being said about the pedal adjustment for the information for all those drummers out there having problems with their pedals. I have devised a system for the beater adjustment consisting of information and tips that i have acquired over the years. so you should not have much of a problem if you follow this system and if other drummers would like to add one to this system please feel free.many drummers that i have seen, take the pedals right out of the box and start playing. this is not the right way to do it. i will explain two types of settings so to speak. one for a single pedal and the second for the setting up of double pedals or for double kick drums.
1)Pedal angle- all pedals have adjustable angles for the foot-board so adjust it to a comfortable angle. this is directly related to the distance the pedal is from the ground so set them at a comfortable angle which is not too high and not too low at the same time. this can be done with a simple turn with the drum key. for double pedals ensure the angle of the pedals are exactly the same for both the pedals because if they aren't you will have a different feel for each feet.
2)Beater height- firstly make sure the beater is hitting the kick drum right in the center of the skin and this would ensure that you get the best sound out of the drum. Putting it too high or too low will result on a very restrained sound and you do not want that. for double pedals or double kick, make sure both the beater heights are the same. This is very easy to adjust. And of course watch out to see if the beater in the end rebounds onto your shin or gets stuck in the opening of your jeans when you step on the pedals. both are completely messed up situations because the first one hurts and the second one is embarrassing:???:
3)Pedal distance-This relates to double pedal players regarding the distance between the two pedals. i have drummers asking me for rules of thumb regarding the distance between the pedals so i came up with one which i see fit for most cases and i also see it quite often. the idea is to set the second pedal right beside the hi-hat for easy transition from one pedal to the other. i usually set the pedal on the right side of the hi-hat pedal so the extension has enough room to move. i have never tried placing it on the left. don't even know if it's possible without getting the bolts on the peddle extension stuck in between the hi-hat frame while playing the second pedal.
4)Pedal tension-This is the hardest adjustment to pull off and its completely subjective and personal to every drummer. so to get the right setting for this you need to do trial and error. if your spring is too tight, you are going to put in a lot of effort for each stroke. if your spring tension is too loose, you are not going to get any rebounds after each stroke. for double pedals try to even out the tension between both pedals. two things you can do would be firstly to grab both pedals, pull them back the same distance and release them simultaneously and see if they spring back and forth simulataneously. secondly, the bolts maintaining the tension on both springs should be of an equal height from the floor.
These are four areas that i ask my students to focus on in terms of setting up the pedals because it makes a lot of difference if you actually take your time to set of the pedals correctly. it is like choosing the right sticks for your own style of playing. you want to set up the pedal comfortably. moreover, when you choose your sticks, you want them to be a perfect match to be able to acquire equal skill between both hands. you dont use a 5A and a 7A at the same time one on each hand. its the same for double pedals. you need to have identical settings on both the pedals. with this i end my sharing. hope it was useful.
