James Travers Demonstrates a Latin/Funk groove on Drum Set

James Travers a Drum Set and Timbale Instructor at Rhythm Traders in Portland, Oregon demonstrates a Latin/Funk groove shown to him by Giraldo Piloto.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Latin
• Jazz
• Funk
• Rhythm
• Traders
• Drum
• Set
• Timbale
• Timba
• Salsa
• Rock
• Groove
• Kit

[rbjax2001]

Of the 100's of drum videos I've seen this is seriously one of the best grooves I've heard. I may have to lock myself somewhere for a month to learn it. Awesome.

[rhythmtraders]

@rbjax2001

Thanks for the kind words. I love this groove and use it a bunch. Once you get it down, you can start applying the LH hihat/snare with RH bell concept to other types of grooves. Another cool thing is if you are using timbales on the left side of your kit, you can switch the hihat/snare to the RH and play the embellishments with the LH on the timbales. To practice I do the hand patterns and on BD do the reading from "Modern Reading Text in 4/4" by Louis Bellson. Fun stuff!!! (James)

[Allouez]

Do you find that with Latin grooves it can be beneficial to "lead" with your left hand on hi-hat, ect? I've noticed that with timbale players for example, there doesn't seem to be a strong emphasis on one hand or the other.... Both are used somewhat interchangeably. Or have I misunderstood this?

Thanks for your thoughts on this.

[rhythmtraders]

@Allouez For me (James) it is situation specific. In a groove like this, I prefer LH on the snare/hi-hat. It allows me to embellish with the RH on the toms. If I were playing more of a Songo groove, I would probably go with RH lead. If I am playing the Timbales on the right side I, generally, go with LH lead also. Again, it allows me better access to the kit. In any case, It's fun to try both and see what your able to come up with.

[hassantafia]

Made it after some practice! Thanks for the inspiration! Both of the bell patterns are sounding great.

[rhythmtraders]

@hassantafia

Cool. Now that you have the groove down, see what yo can come up with and post it on Youtube. Maybe we can get a bunch of folks and their take on the groove. (james)

[Manzo27]

Awesome groove. Deff have to lock myself in the basement for this one.

[Mac1Jack]

Awesome, I met Piloto awesome guy!

[joetruglio]

@rhythmtraders

Love this groove. Reading lines with the bass drum?!? = winning.

[scooter146]

Very hip groove - thank you for sharing! I'm going to work on it...

[philipminnis]

cool groove, I'm going to start practicing it. But did anyone else notice that when he isolates the cowbell part it is not the same as how he plays it in the groove?

[Allouez]

Thank you for the feedback... This is really interesting. I'm just now getting into Latin-based playing, but have also found LH lead to be beneficial in certain situations, but not necessarily as a rule. I'm a right-handed person, but I've been pushing myself to lead more w/the left for all the benefits allows, like open access to the rest of the kit... Very cool. Thanks again!