Funky Groove

[Mr. Pasquini]

Well I'm probably making too many videos but I made a funk groove earlier today.

Watch it, love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDoDipCdTmg

[Steady Freddy]

It was OK. It never really sat in the pocket. Developing feel is one of those things that just takes time. The good news is you're young, and you have the time, so just keep doing what you're doing.

Your snare is too low. Your left hand seems to rest on your thigh between strokes. I'd raise the snare to about belly button height. Maybe lower the throne a little.

[Mr. Pasquini]

It was OK. It never really sat in the pocket. Developing feel is one of those things that just takes time. The good news is you're young, and you have the time, so just keep doing what you're doing.

Your snare is too low. Your left hand seems to rest on your thigh between strokes. I'd raise the snare to about belly button height. Maybe lower the throne a little.

As far as snare height is concerned, I feel I can easily hit rim shots and it's very easy to hit all parts of the snare. If I raise it I hit too many rim shots. I can't drop my seat height, the height is optimal for my bass drum playing and my back kinda flips if I drop it any more. I guess I'll try messing a little but nothing else I've ever done before has been comfortable.

[jonescrusher]

I'd agree with raising the height of the snare drum. You may find this is needed as your left hand technique develops, especially when you get into ghost notes (if you do).
Also, the hihats were too open; a tight closed hihat sound is vital for the funk feel.

[Mr. Pasquini]

Alright, I'll work on it. I'm headed towards metal but I feel like I should have a good bit of grounding in funk, I love funk drumming. Was it decently solid? Did it sound ok? Were the ideas good?

[ZildjianMan1023]

As far as snare height is concerned, I feel I can easily hit rim shots and it's very easy to hit all parts of the snare. If I raise it I hit too many rim shots. I can't drop my seat height, the height is optimal for my bass drum playing and my back kinda flips if I drop it any more. I guess I'll try messing a little but nothing else I've ever done before has been comfortable.

angle your snare drum.. does wonders for your knees and arms

[fourstringdrums]

The timing could have been a bit tighter, but I think you were on the right track with ideas. The only things I would suggest is keep your hi-hat tight when playing. You could throw some open hi-hat notes, or slightly open accents in there, but to me it sounded partially open throughout the groove and that kind of ruined the feel for me I think. Also try swinging your playing a bit more. You did in a few spots, but it wasn't consistent throughout the groove.

For your snare, is it totally flat right now? If you raise it, try angling it down one click, that should allow you to put it higher but stop you from hitting rim shots all the time.

[Wavelength]

angle your snare drum.. does wonders for your knees and arms

...and messes up your sound and playing feel.

[Wavelength]

As far as snare height is concerned, I feel I can easily hit rim shots and it's very easy to hit all parts of the snare. If I raise it I hit too many rim shots.

Your forearms should be more or less horizontal in your basic playing position, and when you hold your sticks in this position using the German grip, the sticks' tips should be a couple of inches above the head. If you let your forearms slope downwards you'll need to use bigger motions and expend more energy than is necessary. It will take some time and effort to shift your playing position from down to the navel height, but the benefits are worth it.