The Power of 3 in 4/4 Funk - Part 1

Grouping 16th notes in 3’s in 4/4 time creates motion and great grooves!!

The Power of 3 in 4.4 Funk - 2

Grouping 16th notes in 3’s in a measure of 4/4.

If you group 16thnotes in 3’s in a measure of 4/4 there will be 4, groups of 3 (=12) plus one group of 4, total 16. That takes account of all the 16th notes in the measure.

123,123,123,123,1234 - total 16, 16thnotes.

(Note: you can put the group of 4 anywhere in the measure. For this exercise we’ll put the group of 4 at the end of the measure.)

Video explanation:

1 – 16ths on HH. Groups of 3 with LH on SD playing the 2 & 3. 123,123,123, 123, 1234 + total 16, 16th notes.

2 – Add LH, no rim shot.

3 – Add LH, with rim shot. 

4 – Add BD in holes, without SD, i.e. on 1 of each group.

5 – Add LH, with BD, no rim shot.

6 – Add LH, with BD & rim shot.

Workbook

a) Follow the video explanation and play exercises 1-6 above.

b) Create and play two beats of your own using these ideas.

The Power of 3 in 4/4 Funk - Part 2

Let’s use this concept (one of my favorites!) with some different HH patterns and accents.

The Power of 3 in 4/4 Funk - Part 3

Rim Shot Every Time. Let’s keep building up those rim shots. Super important in funk.

The Power of 3 in 4/4 Funk - Part 4

Let’s add another broken 16th HH pattern. Not so easy but a good one to have. It sneaks in there when you need it: 2, 16ths plus 1, 8th. Kind of the reverse of the more familiar one coming out of the jazz ride pattern which is an 8th plus 2, 16ths.

The Power of 3 in 4/4 Funk - Part 5

Let’s get into the LRR Sticking. And, of course, it’s a 3-beat idea so it works really well in 4/4 funk. We’re grouping those 16ths in 3’s. That’s what it’s all about.

The Power of 3 in 4/4 Funk - Part 6

Hey, what about the Bass Drum? Let’s use these same concepts with the BD. Another new world to have fun with. And please keep adding your own ideas and your own original applications to these basic concepts.