How to Play The Original Freedrum

1. Calibrating your sensors.

Each time you use Freedrum, you will need to "point" the drumkit in the right direction. Follow these steps below to point the drumkit in front of you.

  • Adjust your position so that you are sitting comfortable for drumming.
  • Point the sticks and your feet in front of you (in the position you will be playing).
  • Charging will take just over 1 hour.
  • Press each sensor button once.
Recalibrate
  • You have to repeat this process every time you change position.
  • This is so that the kit is pointing in the correct direction.

    2. Playing Style

    Freedrum, like any other instrument, has its own playing style and techniques. To get the best use out of your Freedrum, try to follow the playing styles shown in this tutorial. It can take a while before you get used to the playing style. Take things slow in the beginning.

    • Use your wrists to create the hitting action.
    • Avoid using excessive force or whipping of sticks.
    • Keep your drumsticks in the same direction when playing the same drum.
    Foot Sensors
    • Avoid playing with your elbows too much outward.
    • Using your whole arm and excessive force will cause the incorrect drums to be played and the sensor will lose its calibration.

      3. Keep Sensors Flat and Facing Towards You

      Freedrum can only understand the playing angle if the sensors are kept flat or facing towards you. Avoid twisting, rotating or letting the stick slip.

      • A very important thing to keep in mind is to always keep the sensors flat with the button/LED facing upwards.
      • Avoid letting them rotate in your hand.
      • Make sure the LED is closest to you.

        4. Drum Angles

        Freedrum understands the change in angle of the stick. It does not understand spacial difference or distance. Keep this in mind when playing because the change in angle will allow you to switch between drums.

        • Freedrum only understands angles, not spacial differences.
        • If you want to change between drums, make sure you change the direction of the sticks.

        • If you want to play drums like the high-tom, mid-tom, ride & crash, stop the stick at a higher angle.
        Vertical Angles

          5. Drum Positions

          Freedrum currently has between 1 - 10 hit areas. You can hit each hit area by changing the angle of your stick. The placement of your sticks needs to replicate what is displayed in the Freedrum app. As an example if the snare is placed in the position in front of you on the lower layer of the app you should play like the GIF below.

          Snare Drum Example

          • On a flat surface in front of you, there's a drum.
          • You have to hit in the same area to keep playing that same instrument.
          Snare 

            Hi Hat Example

            • Typically the hi-hat is played to your left. You can see now we have moved to the left and on the flat surface as the snare example.
            HiHat

              Floor Tom Example

              • To the right of the snare is another drum, the Floor Tom.
              • Tips: If you hear the wrong drum in that area you are playing make sure to repeat step 1 and calibrate your sensors again. Please make sure your sensors are on the sticks facing the correct direction. You can see an example above.
              Floor Tom 

                6. Open Hihat

                • You can open the hi-hat by slightly twisting the stick inwards while hitting the hi-hat.

                • If you have foot sensors, you can open the hi-hat by turning your foot to the left and lifting it up with the heel on the floor.
                Open Hihat