In this article, I showcase 5 of my favorite drum grooves. This is my tribute to the drummers who made these grooves legendary, from the classic Rosanna half-time shuffle to the infectious Bill Withers’ Use Me drum beat. Funky, soul, and half-time shuffle; these are drum beats I never get tired of playing during every practice session. Let these grooves inspire you!
Toto – Rosanna
No need for presentation, few drum grooves have become as recognizable as “Rosanna” by Toto. Jeff Porcaro’s groove on this track is a masterclass in precision and finesse. With its subtle ghost notes, hi-hat pattern, and bass drum hemiola pattern, this groove perfectly fits the song arrangement.
The complete drum transcription for “Rosanna” is available for purchase.
John Mayer – Waiting On the World to Change
Steve Jordan’s drum groove on “Waiting On the World to Change” by John Mayer is a prime example of how simplicity can be incredibly effective. The steady, laid-back beat drives the song forward. The drum part is based essentially on one groove, consisting of two bars repeated for the entire tune with some variations. That is one of the most remarkable grooves played by Steve Jordan, a must-know for every drummer.
Check out my latest article about Steve Jordan’s drum part. You can download the complete drum transcription for free!
Bill Withers – Use Me
James Gadson’s rhythmic pocket on “Use Me” by Bill Withers is undeniably tight, featuring a distinctive bass drum-snare pattern that defines the song’s character. His ability to blend funk, soul, and jazz influences smoothly makes “Use Me” an enduring classic.
To know more about James Gadson, check out my latest article about “Got To Be Real” by Cheryl Lynn.
Death Cab for Cutie – Grapevine Fires
That’s one of my favorite songs! Jason McGerr’s drum groove on “Grapevine Fires” is a sort of half-time shuffle but less busy, creatively incorporating the left foot hi-hat. The groove differs from a classic half-time shuffle, the hi-hat is played in quarter notes (with two variations on the upbeat of beats one and four), and the subtle ghost notes pattern presents a variation on the third beat. McGerr’s groove adds depth and finesse to the song, elevating it to new heights.
James Brown – Cold Sweat
No discussion about groove would be complete without acknowledging James Brown. There are tons of tracks and grooves to highlight, from “Sex Machine” to “Funky Drummer” to “I Got the Feelin’” and “Super Bad.” It was hard to select one groove, but the choice was for “Cold Sweat,” the track that marked the arrival of the legendary Clyde Stubblefield (Clyde actually joined the band in 1965, but “Cold Sweat” was his first recorded hit). The drummer said about the recording of the track, “I just sit down and strike something that goes along with what’s going down.” Ghosted snare, displacing the backbeat on “four” from the downbeat to the upbeat, avoiding the downbeat of “one” with the bass drum, all happening under an open-closed hi-hat pattern. The result is an infectious funk groove. In the bridge Clyde plays a variation, substituting the bass drum on the downbeat of “one” with the snare. This groove is absolutely irresistible.
To explore James Brown grooves in-depth, I highly recommend this book, The Funkmasters: The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections 1960-1973. Elevate your drumming!
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