how important is keeping the hi-hat going with your foot?

[styles2281]

It depends on what you're doing and the sound you want.

In swing style music, the 2/4 high hat is the point that the entire band keys in on (not the 1/3 bass drum). In Rock music it can be used the same way, or as an off-beat accent, or just ear candy.

[drummaniac42]

Thanks for the help!

[LuxDrumGoddess]

I also think it has to do with keeping good time. When I play with Nekromantix, I do a lot of snare rolls and will usually keep the hi-hat going during this to help keep me and the band in time. It really helps and it'll help with your independence too.

[nickadamsdrums]

I find that bouncing the hi-hat actually helps me to subdivide when playing on a ride or a crash. It keeps me feeling that quarter or eighth note pulse the whole tune, and actually helps me to play more cleanly, and evenly. It also comes through in the studio depending on how loudly your playing on your ride or crash, and is of course essential if you are playing jazz.