whats your favorite 2 n 4 playalong

[Cringe]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations of your favorite music to practice/playalong with when trying to improve your 2 + 4 groove ?

I always find that when I want to practice my groove, that if i put on some busy rock, i feel like competing with the drummer, where as if I play along with some rap/hiphop or even electronic music I just like to sit and groove,

so with that in mind, anyone like to share their favorite bands/songs/music to lay down your 2+4 with ?

[KBadd]

Great question! A nice 2/4 song is "Deacon Blues" by Steely Dan. Bernard Purdie on drums. This song is all about the drums just being in the right place and right time. Simple is hard. This is the original studio version.

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

K

[Fuo]

I'm new to drumming, so I was looking for something like this too. I'm working on "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd now. Good song, mild tempo (60 bpm) in 4/4, and pretty much one beat through the whole song, just with changing fills.

My main challenge is not actually playing it, but staying in time (I seem to focus on the vocals and play along with that, which doesn't work), and keeping my place in the song (ie counting the reps).

Also I'm using a drumless playalong track, which I thought would be easier, but seems tougher so far (no real beat to lock onto).

[Fuo]

I've also heard many people suggest pretty much any AC/DC song, but I've never been much of a fan...

[Cringe]

well probably 2 of the best songs and very popular are
AC/DC Back in Black
and
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

but after playing billie jean for the 1000th time it starts to get old :P

keep em comming guys ! :)

[pirate]

-Try Steely Dan in general..
-Try Gotan Project.
and also try Radiohead or somthing...

[Pocket-full-of-gold]

I seem to focus on the vocals and play along with that, which doesn't work

You're dead right mate......it doesn't work. Especially when you get into live situations.....where the vocal line can shift. You definitely don't want to use it for your timing. Just keep listening to the music and trying to feel the beat. It'll get easier to feel as you progress.

.

[brady]

All Right Now - Free.

It feels great to lock into that groove. A classic.

[Chonson]

Of late, my 2&4 practice has been along to:
- Early Al Green songs up through, say, Let's Stay Together.
- Green Onions. (Theme of the last two: Al Jackson Jr is SICK)
- Most Tom Petty tracks.

Fuo: Start listening to the chord changes. That's the roadmap through the song. If you know where they're going you can feel through the song. (And the extra bonus is, you'll start understanding the intervals used and the form the song is in and that's when you can bluff your way reasonably well through stuff you haven't heard.)

[toddy]

trance/electro normally, although i suppose my practice is a little different to some..

[Drums101]

Put it in your pocket by Joshua Redman