Exploring Metal Drumming Techniques

Metal drumming is known for its intensity, speed, and intricate patterns. And today, we are diving into the electrifying world of metal drumming, where precision meets power and beats take on a life of their own. If you’ve ever found yourself headbanging to the intense rhythms of metal music, you’ll know that the heartbeat of this genre lies in the hands (or should we say sticks?) of the drummer. Those magical sticks, when they hit the drum, sound amazing and everyone glows with the flow.

There are many techniques of drumming and we are going to explore the thunderous techniques that make metal drumming a force to be reckoned with. No matter if you are a seasoned drummer looking to expand your skill set or just a curious soul eager to understand the magic behind the blast beats, you are at the perfect spot. So, tighten your seatbelt (or should we say drum throne?) as we go into the secrets of metal drumming that make it a genre unlike any other.

Double Bass Pedal Technique

When metal drummers play really fast music, they use a double bass pedal. This pedal helps them hit the bass drum with both feet, making it sound like a speedy heartbeat in the music. It’s a bit like tapping your foot to a fast song, but instead, they use both feet to make the drum go really quickly. It’s like a dance for the feet!

Dynamics & Ghost Notes

Imagine a metal drummer playing the drums. Sometimes, they hit the drums really loud, like a big thunderstorm. Other times, they play quietly, like a soft whisper. This is called dynamics where they are playing with different levels of loudness. They also use something cool called ghost notes. These are like secret drumming notes that are not too loud but add a touch of mystery to the music, like playing hide and seek with the sounds.

Polyrhythms

In metal music, drummers often play different rhythms at the same time. This is something students do in their educational journey when they write my coursework, work on dissertations and plan for their professional careers alongside. It’s like clapping your hands in one rhythm and stomping your feet in another. This makes the music sound like a puzzle of beats. It’s a bit tricky, but it’s like telling two stories at once. One with your right hand and another with your left hand and feet!

Blast Beat Variations

Metal drummers love to make their drumming interesting by trying different types of blast beats. Regular blasts are like a powerful storm of drumming. Then there are special ones like gravity blasts, where the drums feel like they are falling down. Then come bomb blasts, which are super strong and powerful,. The final ones are hyper blasts, where the drumming goes really, really fast. It’s like having different superheroes for your drumming!

Cymbal Techniques

In metal drumming, hitting the cymbals in a special way is like adding delicious spices to food. Drummers hit the middle part of the cymbal (the bell) to make a unique sound. They can also make the cymbals stop suddenly, like a surprise, by choking them. And imagine having lots of different plates, each making a different sound. That’s what drummers do with many types of cymbals. It’s like having a big box of crayons to color the music with different drum sounds!

Tight & Controlled Playing

If you see metal drummers play their drums, you can observe they pay a lot of attention to being tight and controlled. It’s like driving a car smoothly without any sudden bumps. This helps them play really fast and tricky parts with clear and precise sounds. Think of it like making sure all the pieces of a puzzle fit perfectly together to create a neat picture.

Use Of Toms & Snare

You must have seen metal drummers getting creative with the drums called toms and the snare drum. They use these drums in special ways, adding interesting patterns and fills to the music. It’s like telling a story with different parts. Some drums go boom, and others go rat-a-tat! By experimenting with how they hit the drums and where they make each song sound unique and exciting.

Dynamic Footwork

Apart from using two feet for the bass drum, metal drummers also use their foot on a pedal called the hi-hat. This adds more spice to the rhythm by creating different sounds with the cymbals. It’s like tapping your foot to the beat, but in drumming, it’s a dance for both hands and feet together!

Extended Drum Kit Setup

Some metal drummers have a really big drum kit with extra drums and gadgets. It’s like having more color placements in your painting palette. They might add things like electronic pads or extra drums to make lots of different sounds. This helps them create a bigger range of music, like having more instruments in a band.

Odd Time Signatures

Metal drummers like to play with time. No, not the clock kind, but musical time. Instead of the usual beats, they use odd time signatures, making the music feel a bit twisty and turny. It’s like walking in a rhythm that’s not the usual one-two-three-four. This adds a cool and complex vibe to the music.

While Drumming It Up For You…

In the thunderous world of metal drumming, where beats become a life force, drummers wield magical sticks to create a symphony of intensity. From double bass pedal dances to mysterious ghost notes and intricate polyrhythms, metal drumming is a genre that thrives on complexity.

Drummers spice up their performances with various cymbal techniques, tight and controlled playing, and creative use of toms and snare drums. Dynamic footwork and extended drum kit setups add layers to the sonic palette, while the exploration of odd time signatures introduces a twist to the rhythmic journey. Metal drumming is not just music; it’s a captivating and dynamic art form.

A Bonus Tip For All The Drummers

Since metal music can be really fast, being a drummer, you may need strong muscles to keep up. It’s like running a race but with drumsticks! They do special exercises to build up their speed and endurance, so they can play fast and energetic music without getting tired. It’s like being a musical athlete, training to keep up with the speedy beats!