Need some groove ideas

[porterhouse]

Trying to find ways to enhance the basic 2 and 4 rock/pop type of groove that gives it a unique flavor. I'm playing in a band that does alot of rock/pop type of stuff with an emphasis on 2 and 4. What ideas do you guys and gals out there have to make these grooves different from each other. That's the problem I'm having.

[PocketPlayer]

Throw some basic funk, latin, or fusion stuff in there, especially on the last measure of the verse in the chorus.
See Porcaro add some sweet flavor to the TOTO tune on their first LP, Girl Goodbye. Great pattern. Gadd's stuff with Paul Simon on One Trick Pony; Late in the Evening (I think that's the name)again, a great pattern that grooves. Always these guys keep the context of the song primary. Vinnie on SheDaisey's, The Whole SheBang, is also a winner.

[beats]

Try the Charlie Watts/Jim Keltner/Steve Jordan "leaving the hi-hat note off the 2+4".Its difficult.I unconciously do that with certain hi-hat strokes with the left hand in Trad. grip................fool with accents maybe.............ghost notes.........program a drum machine to feed u a straight on the 1/4 swing setting,gradually adjusting the swing function(or quantization),to a behind the 1/4 note-swung hard-at diff.tempos u will hear some cool subtle variations of the classic 2+4.............meditate on a huge dose of Phil Rudd,Steve Ferrone,Dave Grohl,Abe Laborial Jr.,?uestlove,Mike Clark,John Bonham,Phil Gould,Matt Chaimberlain,Bernard Purdie,Gadd,Ringo, and many many many more drummers who have over time who have breathed life into America's native pulse...................break up yer limbs on the 2+4 pattern................some random musings......................beats

[Dazzler]

I agree with the above, Jeff is a good place to start. If you keep 1&3 on the bass and 2&4 on the snare, you can vary the hihats. Why not try playing a swing ride pattern, this will give you a serious funk shuffle groove and get you away from the more 'straight' feel.
Also, you could play the 1st, 2nd and last semiquaver (16th note) on every beat on the hats for a different lilt. Have fun! [img]cool.gif[/img]

[Randy walker]

play with the hat abit
Watch Jeff Porcaro's video, he gives great examples of this very subject.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 30, 2003 12:01 AM: Message edited by: Randy Walker ]</font>

[ashio nz]

Explore the concept of linear drumming also.

This involves moving the hands/feet around different instruments ensuring no two limbs strike at the same time.

Try - rlrlRlff (ff = bass drum) as an alternative to a simple 2 & 4 rock feel. The R is the accent on 2 & 4. Ghost the left hand notes for a more funky feel. Check our Gary Chaffee's material for heaps more on this.

Good luck!

[porterhouse]

Ashio,

Is the right hand part on the hi-hat? And is it played like sixteenth notes?

[ashio nz]

Yep. And you play the 16ths really softly just to give it that feel but retaining the 4/4 groove.
The right hand then comes across and plays the 2 & 4 on the snare.

You could omit the 2nd bass drum note to make it sound less busy.

Maybe also try to incorporate rimshots and lay back for those serious rock feels.

[beat Hit]

I agree with beats....

Listen to a L-O-T of music. I'd add, sing the grooves with your mouth. If you can't play it, try to sing it first and make it groove.

[FlamTriplet]

Check out Who's Johnny by El debarge. This beat will keep you busy.

Also, Xtina's latest Cd has some good grooves on it.

Photek--Modus Operandi has some excellent DrumNbass beats.

Babylon Sisters--Steely Dan---Bernard Purdie's hihat work deserves a close listen.