Best Hand-Foot Independence Drummers — Who Plays It | MetalForge
Discover which pro metal drummers use hand-foot independence. Gear setups, videos, and tutorials for hand-foot independence players.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hand-Foot Independence?
Hand-foot independence is the ability to play rhythmically distinct patterns with the hands and feet simultaneously, without one limb's motion influencing another's. This foundational skill underlies nearly every advanced metal drumming technique, from polyrhythms to linear drumming to Meshuggah-style polymetric riffing. Without genuine independence, limbs tend to "leak" into each other, causing accents to blur and complex patterns to collapse into simpler, more habitual groupings.
How fast are hand-foot independences played?
Hand-Foot Independence is typically played around Any.
Who is the best hand-foot independence drummer?
Tomas Haake (Meshuggah) is among the most cited Hand-Foot Independence drummers, alongside Danny Carey (Tool), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater).
What gear do you need for Hand-Foot Independence?
The gear requirements for Hand-Foot Independence vary by drummer. Browse MetalForge for complete kit specs from pros who use this technique.