As a rule I play my kick drum pedal, especially when playing rock, with my heel slightly off the foot plate.

After striking the bass drum, I hold the beater against the skin.

Some drummers I watch and talk to, remove the beater from the skin straight after executing the note. It comes down to personal choice.

Of course if you are playing a quick bass drum part, the beater automatically leaves the skin after each note.

I like the to get good back swing on the beater.

TIP Move your foot up and down the footplate while playing a beat to find that sweet spot.

When playing my high\hats I play with the heel of the pedal for closed high\hats,

and heel flat for open or semi open high\hats,

When I play closed high\hats with an open note every couple of bars, as in lesson 2, I use the heel of the footplate method all the way through.

NOTE Some drummers play their high\hats with their foot flat on the plate and use their heel as a pivot when opening and closing. Personally this does method does not work for me. Try both ways and make your own choice.

TIP When playing closed hats, try not to close the hats that tightly that you choke the sound.

I like about 3\4 of an inch gap between my hats when they are open and the top high\hat cymbal is free to move between the washers.