Double Bass Drum Pedal Exercises: 6 Drills to Build Speed and Control
Double bass drum pedal exercises that build speed, evenness and control. Six simple drills to practice on your own kit or a practice pad, with tips.
By Audrey Hayes
Updated November 13, 2026
By Audrey HayesUpdated November 2026
Double bass drum pedal exercises give you a structured way to build speed, evenness and control on two kicks. Working through a few focused drills will help your feet match each other in volume and timing, and it will also help your ankles and legs relax under fast tempos. Start slow, keep the motion small, and raise the tempo only after the pattern stays clean.
What You Need Before You Start
You don’t need a full kit to begin. A metronome, a stable throne at a height where your knees sit slightly above your hips, and a pair of double pedals are enough. Many drummers also practice on a single kick with a second pad or a practice pad under the other foot, which is useful for isolating one leg at a time.
Shopping for one? See our guide: 5 Best Electronic Drum Double Bass Pedal Options for Practice and Gigging (2026).
- A metronome set between 60 and 80 BPM for the first pass.
- Pedals adjusted so the beater travel and spring tension feel even on both sides.
- A notebook or app to log tempo and the highest speed you played cleanly.
Six Core Double Bass Drum Pedal Exercises
1. Alternating singles
Play quarter notes alternating right foot and left foot at 70 BPM. Keep the heel down and let the beater rebound without forcing it. Move to eighth notes, then sixteenth notes, once each sequence sounds identical in volume.
2. Doubles on each foot
Play two quick strokes with the right foot, then two with the left, aiming for even spacing within each pair. This drill exposes uneven rebound faster than any other, so check the sound closely.
3. Paradiddle-style foot patterns
Use a pattern like RLLR across the two pedals, counting sixteenth notes. These patterns train your feet to change direction without losing the groove. Practice each pattern for two minutes before moving on.
4. Single-foot bursts
Play four to eight fast strokes on one pedal, then rest for a bar, and repeat with the other foot. Keep the sound consistent from the first stroke to the last. This builds endurance without asking the other leg to compensate.
5. Metronome stepping
Start at 80 BPM and raise the tempo by 4 BPM every four bars. Stop when the sound gets uneven, then drop back 10 BPM and repeat the section. Owners often find this method reveals the real limit of their current technique.
6. Feet and hands together
Play a simple sixteenth-note pattern on the snare with your hands, and add double bass on the beats. Keep your hands steady, since uneven hands usually mean the feet are rushing or dragging.
A Practice Routine That Works
| Session Part | Time | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-up | 5 minutes | Alternating singles at 70 BPM |
| Core drills | 15 minutes | Doubles and paradiddle patterns |
| Speed work | 10 minutes | Metronome stepping |
| Cool-down | 5 minutes | Slow, relaxed singles |
If you are new to the instrument, read How to Play Double Bass Drum Pedal: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners for posture and foot placement before you begin these drills. For setup problems that affect how the pedals feel, Double Bass Drum Pedal Setup: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners covers beater alignment and spring tension.
Common Mistakes
- Lifting the foot too high, which slows the rebound and tires the leg.
- Rushing the tempo before the pattern is even.
- Letting one pedal’s beater sit closer to the head than the other.
- Practicing for long stretches without breaks, which encourages tension in the ankles.
- Ignoring the sound. Record a short clip and listen for volume differences between the feet.
Recommended Gear
A practice pad helps you work on the same patterns when you can’t play the full kit. Choose one with a rebound surface similar to your kick head.
A metronome app or hardware metronome keeps your tempo honest. Look for one that lets you set subdivisions and step up the tempo automatically.
A pair of double pedals with adjustable beaters makes it easier to match your two kicks. Adjustability is especially useful when you switch between practice and gigs.
FAQ
How long should I practice double bass drum pedal exercises each day?
Thirty to forty-five minutes is enough for most drummers. Shorter, focused sessions usually work better than one long session that leaves your legs fatigued.
Should I use a metronome for every drill?
Yes, especially in the early stages. A metronome shows you exactly where timing drifts, which is hard to hear by ear alone.
How do I know when to increase the tempo?
Raise the tempo only after the pattern sounds even at the current speed for several passes. If the volume of one foot starts to dominate, return to the previous tempo.
Conclusion
Double bass drum pedal exercises work best when you practice slowly, track your progress and keep the motion relaxed. Build from alternating singles to faster patterns, and let your metronome decide when you are ready to move on. Consistent sessions of a few weeks will show clear gains in control and evenness.
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About Audrey Hayes
Audrey Hayes is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our drums guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
About the author
Audrey Hayes writes reviews and buying guides for Drum Path.