Studio Drummer – Hi Hat Can Be A Very Musical Instrument

The hi hat is a ‘musical instrument’ so treat it like one, approach it like one.

 

*FIRST RULE IS DO NOT BOUNCE YOUR FOOT ON THE HI HAT WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING A CONSISTENT CLOSED OR SEMI CLOSED HI HAT PHRASE.*

 

When we were touring with Toto I got the chance to stand at the back of the stage and watch Jeff Porcaro play.  The stage was at about my head level since there were risers toward the back of the stage so my head level was right at his foot level.  I’ve always loved his textures. He was a beautiful studio player with great nuances in his playing, truly one of the all time greats.  His kick foot was a slamming heel up technique!  It was a beautiful fat kick presence but his hi hat foot?

 

Heel down and his foot was dead still!

 

If he was playing a closed or semi closed pattern on the hat his foot never moved unless he was making very subtle and specific adjustments.  That was a great lesson to me.  I also got to meet Jeff and hang a bit.  He was an awesome guy, very humble!  He also gave me the greatest drumming compliment of my entire life.  He said to me “your time is a motherfucker man!”  We lost a lot of music they day we lost him.

 

So what you’re doing by bouncing your foot is constantly changing the tension of the hats, which is affecting the sound and emotion that you’re producing. 

 

Think of a piano player. You don’t see a piano player stomping on the dampening pedal or keeping time on it either.  The pedal serves a specific function on both instruments, in our case it’s tension and cymbal decay. 

Of course if you’re playing something that involves opening or closing or if it’s a foot hat pattern then this rule doesn’t apply.

 

But creating a high end, very consistent kick, snare and hi hat groove involves being very much aware and in control of the hi hat subtleties and texture!  The same of course applies kick and snare and to ride cymbal technique and all the subtleties surrounding that as well.

 

I’d encourage you to study some great players here. Steve Gadd is another outstanding example. Listen to the use of the hi hat and his command of the instrument.  Also listen to the great players use of tip and shank techniques utilizing the sticks to create different groove soundscapes.