Funk Musicians blending elements of Soul, Jazz, and Rhythm and Blues in the early to mid-1960s developed a danceable music genre soon to be named Funk. Funk de-emphasized melody and harmony lines while bringing a strong rhythmic groove supplied by the bass and drums to the foreground of the musical composition. Funk songs are often read more
Drum Notes
The Bolero drum beat, drum rhythm
The Bolero The Bolero From Spanish folk dances and songs of love and romance comes The Bolero. Associated with dance and song The Bolero originates during the 1800’s with the term ‘Bolero’ from the Spanish verb ‘Volar’ meaning to ‘fly’ which is exemplified in the moves of the dancers (either solo or as a couple) read more
The Songo drum beat, drum rhythm
The Songo The Songo drum rhythm combines elements of Funk and Soul much the same way that Jazz influenced the Mambo and Cha Cha. Combining Cuban rhythms with Funk, Rock, Jazz, Fusion and the musical styles of from the Caribbean and Brazil, the Songo can be described as a very soulful type of music. With read more
The Boogaloo
The Boogaloo The Boogaloo can refer to several off-shoots of American popular music and dance from mid-1960 to approximately 1970. Also loosely known as the Latin-Boogaloo, or Latin Rhythm and Blues, The Boogaloo was a style of music combining Salsa with Rhythm and Blues. Current Boogaloo patterns are often interpreted as Funk or Rhythm and read more
Punk Rock Beats
Punk Rock Beats Punk Rock requires a lot of energy, speed and endurance. The drumming technique required for Punk Rock is often fast paced and intense. The Ramones, often cited as the first Punk Rock band despite limited commercial success, was a major influence on the Punk Rock movement. Drummer Tommy Ramone (1974-1977) kept the read more
Combining Rudiments
Combining the Single Paradiddle and the Paradiddle-Diddle Combining different drum rudiments is a great way to make fills, discover new beats, and importantly make playing the rudiments more interesting for the player (and listener). Rudiments, the basic building blocks of the drum set, are great ways to improve drumming skills and are necessary to build read more
Drum Sweeps 2
Drum Sweeps 2 Sweeping is a fairly straight forward concept. Introduction to Sweeps can be found here: Drum Sweeps. Sweeping is the ability to move from one surface to another in the same down stroke, a technique that lends well to being able to play clean double strokes. Visualize that sweeping is like a broom, read more
Drum Sweeps
Drum Sweeps Sweeping is a fairly simple concept. Sweeping is to move from one surface to another in the same down stroke. Sweeping will involve using a double stroke technique. Visualize that sweeping is like a broom, moving across a floor surface from point A to point B. On the drum set, sweeping will involve read more
The Agogo Beat
The Agogo Beat is a fun swinging beat. Its name derives from the playing of the agogo bells, which originated in Yoruba and Samba music commonly found in Africa. The agogo bells may be the single oldest instrument used in Samba music – they are certainly one of the highest pitched found in percussion. Examples read more
The Train Beat
Dynamics are the key to creating the illusion of a train, and the key to this beat. This is a very simple drum pattern that plays well in various musical situations and types of music (Country, Folk), and can be a lot of fun to just play. The train beat is also a great drum read more
