Cissy Strut - Two Grooves

As promised and requested, here is the groove from the classic New Orleans Funk track Cissy Strut by the Meters.

Remember to play it 'almost swung'....

Having nailed that bit .... have a go a this 'sample bar' from the bridge. On the actual track, nearly all of the bars are different but this will give you a flavour of what's needed.

This week's suggested listening homework is some Earth, Wind and Fire - Live! You'll smile ... I promise. Here's the link, enjoy EWF - Live!

Let us all know how you're getting on Tweet

Rope - Two Grooves

Well done to everyone this week. It is a fast one ....

So as a reminder, here's the Intro and Verse Groove

And here's the Groove from the Bridge/Chorus, lead hand on the ride cymbal

The downloadable PDF of the chart up to the drum soli phrasing  can be found here.

Any problems, or questions don't forget to Tweet

5 stroke roll ex's

Here's yesterdays 5 stroke roll fill's.

The first bar is the basic sticking ex for the 5 stroke single stroke roll. Make sure you practice it starting with both the right and the left hand as written.
The next two bars are examples of the same ex but phrased across the toms. If you practice these dynamically it adds proper musicality to the fill and to quote don becomes "proper drumming". Both phrased variations have an example starting with the left hand so practice those as well.

The last three are examples of when to play the five stroke roll within the context of a groove creating a pick up or fill. The first is the easiest with the fill starting on the 3rd beat of the bar so start with that one. I have written the fills just on the snare to start with so you can hear the placement of the fill. Once your comfortable try using some of the "phrased" and accented examples again try leading with the right and left hand.

Hope that all makes sense we'll do some more of these next lesson with some combinations of five stroke rolls so really get the basic rudiment under your hands.

Enjoy
Pete

16th note snare drum co-ordination

Last week we started to look at 16th note syncopation. This is the adding of notes, usually on the snare drum or bass drum in between the 8th notes on the hi-hat. I have written out the snare drums ex we looked at.

i) is the excercise written out in 8th notes to start with it's easier to read and will help you get comfortable with the co-ordination. Make sure your counting and take your time. The bass drum on 1 and three will help you get your bearings when you move onto ex ii.

ii) is EXACTLY THE SAME as ex i. The only difference being it's written as 16th notes rather than 8ths. So count it 1 e + a, 2 e + a, etc play it to a metronome if you can and the click should fall on the 1, 2, 3 and the 4 with the e + a's in between.

iii) Ok now you've got the ex's you can work on your co-ordination with your right foot. In this ex your playing the 1+ and the 3+ on the bass drum and missing out the 2 and 4. Again take it slow and count it. It shouldn't be too difficult as your bass drum plays with your right hand on the hi-hat.

iv) Same idea as before, your hands play the same but this time we've moved the bass drum 8th notes to +, 3 and +,1. Read it count it and take your time

v) This is the killer playing the bass drum on the + of 2 and 3 in the middle of the bar requires some serious counting but if you've practice the other ex's you shouldn't have much trouble nailing it.

When you can play all of these ex's try adding a back beat by playing your right hand on the snare drum on beats 2 and 4

Next week's Groove

Here's a look at the basic grrove that we'll be working on next week. We'll need it at about 140 bpm ..

Remember - The Track can be found here on Spotify and don't forget to click this button Tweet to let us all know how you're getting on. The downloadable PDF can be found here.

Just one more ... Paradiddle-diddles Part 2

Hey Diddle-diddle ... Here's the last one, honest!

RECOMMENDED LISTENING : This week's listening homework is Rope - Foo Fighters. It's from their new album of the same name.

Paradiddle-diddle Grooves - Part 1

Ok, here we go with the last part of the Paradiddle Groove journey. The download-able PDF can be found here.

16th Note Hi-hat Grooves

Here's a link to the pages already up with examples of hand to hand 16th note grooves like the ones we looked at on monday. Remember start slow and try to keep your hands down. Your aiming for a "light and tight" sound with out accenting the hands when the bass drum is playing. Start slow and remember to breathe

16th Note Hi Hat Grooves

News Flash!

Now, you know that I NEVER get involved with the retail side of the business at Playsomething .... but this is really good for you guys should you want a drums kit?

Jon is selling off the ex-teaching Yamaha DTX explorer kits for £350 .... they're all virtually un-used, and all in perfect order.

If you want one call Jon on, 01920 460646 (only speak to Jon or Max!) and reserve one, it's a great deal!

Al

Double Paradiddle Grooves - Part 2 'The Inverted Double'

Ok, so how did you get on with the first batch? I bet you've nailed them all ...

Here's the second lot - This time its an Inverted Double Paradiddle, played on your left hand (Right hand for Big Dave) and right foot.

The downloadable PDF can be found here or click on the chart below to go full screen.

Watch out for the third and final instalment on Friday ... something for the weekend!

NEW - Each post, from now on is going to include some recommended listening. You're going to need Spotify (if you need help with getting Spotify - let me know).

So this week's 'Listening home-work' is some fine West Coast Funk (pronounced FONK! as in honk) from Tower of Power. The drummer is David Garibaldi who is the king of funky grooves using  paradiddles. Have a listen to this album Tower Of Power – Great American Soulbook.
Their version, on this album, of 'Me and Mrs Jones' is in 12/8 and therefore would be a great way to practice those double paradiddle triplet grooves! Me and Mrs Jones.

Enjoy ... and stay funky!