Five_Funk_Beats_You_Should_KnowDownload
This beat is from a James Brown song called Cold Sweat. This wasn’t easy to get the hang of, however it was relatively easy compared to some of the others. The only issue I had is getting used to the backbeat being on the and and not the 4 in the first bar. It didn’t take long to get the hang of it though. Once you can get this beat sounding clean and tight, it’s a great beat to play, and it sounds great with the open hats and the delayed backbeat.
This beat is from another James Brown song, called Soul Power. This was the most difficult to learn, as it is the most complicated. It has a different kind of hi hat pattern to the rest, as it is sort of a jazz swing. Also linking your left hand up with the hi hat is pretty difficult. Also to make the beat sound good, you have to play it really well. Which I didn’t, however it is still a great sounding beat if you can get it perfect.
This is once again another James Brown song, called Funky Drummer. It’s a 16th note beat, and it wasn’t the easiest or the hardest of the bunch. The open hats sound great and were slightly difficult to get the hang of, and the second half was the most difficult part. As there’s a lot going on, however after playing it for a bit it isn’t that difficult. This is another groovy beat, however I still needed more rehearsal time before it sounded great.
This beat is from the song Chameleon by Herbie Hancock. This was the easiest for me as I already knew this beat. However it is still a great sounding beat, with the off beat accented snare sounds great. The drag at the end also sounds great.
This beat is from Cissy Strut by The Meters. This was one of my favourite beats from these 5, as it’s the most experimental. It isn’t a standard beat like the rest of them, it has an odd sticking pattern as the hi hat isn’t in standard quarter notes, eighth or sixteenth notes. Which gives this beat a uniqueness that makes it great. It also just sounds great, and fits well with the song. It was somewhat difficult to get this beat down, especially the second half of the bar. However it didn’t take me as long as funky drummer.