Drumming heels up vs heels down

[foomanfat]

Do you drum heels up or down?
Which do you think is more efficient?
Other thoughts?

[Schlatte]

Heels up... Idk why.. I've always played that way and yeah... feels more "natural" to me.. and you can get much louder, punchy-er and more powerful stomps with your heel up... heel down is kinda... uncomfortable to me.

[cheesecats]

i'm not much of a drummer but when i drum it's heels up

[nieh]

fuzzzzzzzzz

[kosta]

I'm no drummer by a long shot, but I find it easier to drum heels up. I feel like I get more power and have better rhythm that way. Less finesse though.

[Grrface]

I play with 2 different drummers weekly. One plays heels down. Self taught, punk style drummer. Other drummer is a lots of lessons, more technical drummer. He plays heels up, and actually hits harder on the kick. Different strokes, really. They're both talented dudes.

[Muse FTW]

Typically I use a variable approach to foot placement/technique. I adapt to the style which is necessary and will frequently shift between heel down and up.

[foomanfat]

Edited to add a "Both" option
Also, I didn't realize that would wipe the votes.

[dubkitty]

down. the first thing i need if i'm doing an activity where i have to use all four limbs simultaneously is a solid base, and i don't have that if i'm sitting on a stool with only the balls of my feet on the ground.

[Ghost Hip]

I do both. Heel down for slower/calmer songs, and heel up for more rockin' songs. Although my hi-hat foot is always heel down so far.

[Zounds Perspex]

Practice using heel up. Heel down is more natural and is greater for quieter, subtler dynamics, but you get a lot more power with heel up.

[bdunlap]

Up up and away

[RR Bigman]

Heel up for sure, I've just never even tried it heel down...it just seems weird, like being born with 11 toes or something.