Fran Merante from www.cidrumming.com is an accomplished drum instructor in the Connecticut area. Here he explains his approach to learning and playing linear funk. This style was made extremely popular by drumming great, David Garibaldi.
This is another tune from the David Garibaldi play along book "Code of Funk". Great tune from the TOP cd "Oakland Zone". I put a partial metric modulation in the breakdown section. Probably should have been played more "straight" given the feel and context of the tune but it never hurts to try new things. I'm still trying to decide if it works or not. Your opinions are appreciated.
Yet another great tune from the Tommy Igoe Groove Essentials Play Along Book. I recommend it to any SERIOUS student of the drums. You will have a lot of fun with this book and CD. The band is INSANE!!
This is a Tower of Power tune from the Dave Garibaldi play along package "Code of Funk". Another HIGHLY recommended play along package. After all, the opportunity to play with the greatest funk band on the planet doesn't come along every day......until now.
This is the tune Niles from the Tony Royster Jr Dennis Chambers book and cd package. This is a tough one to get with one pass. I dont like overdubbing for any of my videos. It is not a good habit to get into if you want to improve your live playing.
This is a tune off of the Dave Weckl "In Session" Play along package. My good friend Steve Cioppa and I recorded this about a year ago. It can be very hard for a drummer and percussionist to play together without stepping on each others feet. I consider myself extrememly fortunate to have a good friend as talented as Steve to practice with to work on this type of playing.
This is a trio led by Ronnie Neuhauser (www.nocheez.com). The band features Ronnie's playing and compositions. This tune is titled "Schizo Goes the Weasel" Weasel because the bass line has shades of "Pop Goes the Weasel" and Schizo because Ron wanted me to superimpose modulations and various groove styles and phrases played loosely over the bass line. Enjoy!!
This is New Ground by Tommy Igoe. It was only available as a download from the Vic Firth web site. VERY CHALLENGING!! Very LOOONG!! I hope I did it justice!!
This is a Reggae track from the Tommy Igoe book and cd Groove Essentials. Keep an eye out for his second Groove Essentials package!! Should be awesome!!
This is the tune "Submarine" by Gregg and Matt Bissonette. I downloaded from the Vic Firth website complete with chart. It is also featured on Gregg's instructional DVD "Musical Drumming in Different Styles". A MUST HAVE
This is the tune "School Days" from John Riley's book and cd package "The Art of Bop Drumming". I realized I never put up any swing tunes so the next bunch of vids I put up will be of the Swing genre. This is a slow - medium tempo swing tune. The ones that follow will be more up tempo.
This is another tune from the Tommy Igoe Groove Essentials Play Along book demonstrating a Samba groove. This one is a tough one to keep chuggin along consistently!! you'll notice some wavering at various points.
A tune from the Tommy Igoe Play Along Package in the style of Nanigo. Please excuse the annoying click track in the beginning. It is part of the track but it goes away after the first time through the form.
![Fran Merante - Tommy Igoe Tune \"Endure\"](http://img.youtube.com/vi/dz2txhWvTu0/2.jpg "Fran Merante - Tommy Igoe Tune \\"Endure\\"")
![Fran Merante Tower of Power \"Pocket Full of Soul\"](http://img.youtube.com/vi/FYs06O1H8mA/2.jpg "Fran Merante Tower of Power \\"Pocket Full of Soul\\"")
![Fran Merante - TOP \"Back in the Day\"](http://img.youtube.com/vi/Sz4I9t0Mre8/2.jpg "Fran Merante - TOP \\"Back in the Day\\"")
![Fran Merante -Steve Cioppa- Dave Weckl \"Big B\"](http://img.youtube.com/vi/-w0MECxeOP8/2.jpg "Fran Merante -Steve Cioppa- Dave Weckl \\"Big B\\"")
![Fran Merante - Ruff\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/ESieP8Wrlcg/2.jpg "Fran Merante - Ruff\")
![Fran Merante - Tommy Igoe\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/4H6FL8xsLR8/2.jpg "Fran Merante - Tommy Igoe\")
![Fran Merante Gregg Bissonette\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/VHBeZmROl24/2.jpg "Fran Merante Gregg Bissonette\")
