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Where's One? | Summer NAMM 2004 | Bring On the "Funk"

Bring On the "Funk"

by Bruce Gust

Today we're looking at a little drum solo I wrote called "Caleb." It's designed to take some basic sixteenth note rhythms and incorporate them into a practical setting.

First let's start with the grooves that are used:

Groove # 1 incorporates a little bit of a clave pattern that.s shuffled around between the snare and the toms.

Groove # 2 is just a basic combination that sets the stage for more aggression a little bit later in the solo. While it.s not written, introducing a slight accent on each beat allows for a much stronger sounding groove. It's not necessarily "heard", but it is certainly "felt".

Groove # 3 is actually the same kind of thing as Groove #1, only now we've introduced a more consistent back beat on the snare. This, by the way, is a great illustration of how by moving some of the voices around you can better compliment different sections of the song.

The first fill is based on imaginary horn hits happening on the "a" of beat one, the "e" of beat three and the "e" of beat four. If you've ever listened to any "Earth, Wind and Fire" or "Tower of Power", you will inevitably hear something that resembles this figure.

Fill #2 is one of those brilliant little licks that sounds complicated, but isn.t that hard actually. Executed in a musical manner, it sounds great!

Now that we've got the basic elements under our belt, let's take a look at the solo! You can download the track, the loop and the manuscript by going out to http://www.brucegust.com/StartingLine/ Downloads.htm.

Bruce Gust is a former national recording artist having performed with the band "Western Flyer". In addition, he was a Marine Drum Instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music. For more information, visit http://www.brucegust.com