Drums have only just started to click. Now I have questions.

[skyp1e]

Okay so I finally crossed the threshold today where I don't have to think about what I'm doing and I can just play. Still not tearing up expert or anything, doing this on medium and hard, but there is certainly a clear difference in my abilities.

Here's my problems.

Leg cramps. No matter how I position the pedal, after a while my ankle and hip begin to ache pretty bad. The pain stops soon after I rest, but it doesn't feel the least bit natural. I'm pretty sure this isn't one of those "play through the pain and you'll get used to it" deals. I think my technique must be all wrong.

On a related subject, the kit skates all over the floor while playing. I have to repeatedly move it back towards me because it tries to run.

I could always put something heavy on the floor to prevent the kit from walking, but what can I do about the first issue, where my leg feels painful after playing for a short time?

[jibjqrkl]

hold the pedal down in between kicks, this will take quite a bit of getting used to. but once you do that properly you'll love it.

[skyp1e]

hold the pedal down in between kicks, this will take quite a bit of getting used to. but once you do that properly you'll love it.

I actually do do this. I rest with my foot holding the pedal down and then lift up to hit beats. Anything else you can share?

[jibjqrkl]

angle of your leg maybe? needs to be just slightly lower then where your knee would be if it was in a straight line from your butt :3

so not
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but just slightly lower than that

[skyp1e]

angle of your leg maybe? needs to be just slightly lower then where your knee would be if it was in a straight line from your butt :3

so not
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but just slightly lower than that

Hmmmm that could be it. My pedal is usually slightly in front of me (the way I position my sustain pedal when I play keyboards). I figured that this placement would be the same for drums. Guess not.

So I have to have the pedal closer to my body than I have it now. I'll have to try that next time (done playing for tonight, might try this tomorrow). Thanks!

[JamesDD4]

Unfortunately, as far as the skidding kit goes, there's little you can do other than placing something heavy on the front legs or in front of the set. That's been my biggest complaint with RB drum sets since Day 1.

As far as the leg pain goes, maybe try holding down the pedal for a different duration of time before preparing to hit another bass note? I don't know. Back in the early days of RB2, that was where I discovered that holding my foot down allowed me to jump to expert difficulty and it eliminated virtually all pain/cramps I was having. I also prefer having the pedal/drum set farther away from my person than I think most do. Having it too close = instant hamstring/quadriceps cramps for me.

[MagicMurderBag7]

I play on a carpeted floor and my kit doesn't move. Maybe get a mat with a rubber bottom to put it on?

[skyp1e]

I play on a carpeted floor and my kit doesn't move. Maybe get a mat with a rubber bottom to put it on?

I think I have some ideas on how to stop the drifting. As for the leg thing I'll need to experiment. Hopefully I'll figure that one out just as fast.

[Dentata]

I had a lot of problems with this as well. In order to handle any bass drumming that was quick, it felt as if I had to keep my foot hovering above the pedal. This was a recipe for pain. My solution has been to place a book that my heel can rest on behind the pedal. I use hand weights around the book to keep it from moving.

This isn't the "correct" way to handle it, but we aren't real drummers either. IJt is just something else to try. As the other posters suggested, mess around with how high your chair is and how far you are from the pedal. Find what works for you. Before I discovered the book idea, I also used two pedals and alternated the pain between the left and right leg.

[Der_Lex]

As for the skidding issues, personally I put one of those cheap foam yoga mats under my kit when I play. Works like a charm.