I’m not happy with this title for this series, but I’m going to hang with it as long as we’re posting on the blog. It’s rapidly evolving into a Stick Control-like system for funk drumming (only way more fun), and the possible subject for a book (“FUNK CONTROL”???). I’m feeling very good about this system, and believe it’s worth dedicating significant effort to working through it thoroughly. I think this is a more direct route to playing modern, creative funk than I’ve seen in any book.
So let’s expand on it a little bit, with 16th notes in 6/8:
To review the practice routine:
Practice one line at a time. Learn all four lettered patterns individually, then play them in all combinations, one to four times each:
AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD
You might play these along with a slow 12/8 recording at first, like Led Zeppelin’s You Shook Me. Maybe you can fit them over a fast, modern jazz waltz or 6/4— you could make your own loop of Footprints. In writing them I’ve been playing along with an Afro 6/8 loop like this. They look an awful lot like sixtuplets in a */4 meter, but I wouldn’t start there— playing them with a sixtuplet groove in 4/4. Hell, you could do them along with Natural Woman, really concentrating on finding a pocket— it’s slow, but it’s not easy.
I am happy to help you with any of the materials on the site, and with anything else drumming related— contact me for private lessons, online world wide, or in person in Portland, Oregon. All levels of players, and all people, are welcome.
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