How to be a Funk Drummer : What is a ‘Pocket’ in Funk Drumming
Some refer to in funk, called the pocket.
That’s a certain feel that the bass player and drummer will get into and actually the
entire band will get into it. It’s kind of just behind the beat, so you have the: Instead
of playing it straight, it’s a little bit behind, but there’s really no definitive explanation
of what the pocket is. It’s something you have to feel and like I was saying the only
way to actually get out there and feel it is to go out and see some bands play it. Some
people have some great fills just to listen to the records. Bernard Perty has an excellent
pocket fill, so you can check him out. He’s on some records will Gill Scott Heron he’s
on Boogala Joe Jones records. It’s just incredible and you have to listen to it. That’s the only
way to describe what the pocket is. There’s no technical explanation of it, it’s just
a certain feeling to have. It just grooves and you have to hear it, so go check it out.
Dude this video sucks you're teaching nothing
For all of those who put a negative comment on this video should think again. The lesson this guy is teaching in this video is probably the most important lesson you could learn in drumming. I was taught to play just behind the beat when i studied drums at "Brighton institute of modern music". It has made me 10 times better and this way of playing makes the band even more syncronised.
The pocket ain't the same for different style of funk. If you play the meters, everyone is "behind", James Brown, the drums are "behind" and the rest is "before", p-funk/ohio players, the drums are slightly ahead and the bass is "behind", 80s funk, everybody is right on the beat, etc etc…
Pretty simple: pocket drumming is defined as an interlock in the rhythm. Playing along with a bassist on the downbeat is a fine example. Not playing a beat and then slowing down…
since we're talking about funk, there is nothing funky about that fireplace back there.
Well done ell1010. You're powers of observation and wit are second to none. I'm sure you have amazing social skills also. Do you play drums? Where are YOUR videos?….
hahahaha
…… ummm?
A good backbeat has to ring out with Stank' on it..lots of Stank'. That perfectly placed backbeat or backbone lets everybody know where that pocket is… i dont know what this cat is talking about… in this emotionless video…yes jordan kicks butt! i wanna play his snare..
i disagree with most of these comments . although u cant describe a pocket i agree the beats do sit behind the main beat espacially on 2 and 4.
The pocket? Two words: Dennis Chambers.
I'm sure this guy is an adequate drummer. He should have just jammed a groove to demonstrate it. BTW, John Mc Cain survived five years in a POW camp. Let's see any street thug do that. None of that internet and cable TV dem inmates are used to, yome sane?
BTW, James Brown sang and had capes thrown over him, but Clyde Stubblefield provided the pocket.
He wasn't happy with the proposal and for good reason. It was Barney Frank and Chris Dodd who touched off this powderkeg and Clinton and Carter filled it. lol
Sorry, man. Dragging the rhythm is not playing in the pocket. You should probably just play against a metronome to illustrate it. Or, play to a funk piece straight, then in the pocket.
this was shit
Great quick demonstration of the pocket, I got the idea and thats the main thing lol. 4 stars
WTF???? Instead of headbutting a sidewalk….he should wipe his ass with 20 grit sandpaper……and quit drumming
he can shit in his own pocket.
yeah….dragging the beat is not in the pocket it's actually out of the pocket. in the pocket is when you're not rushing or dragging…you're in the pocket.
Little bit… lol He atleast needs other band members to explain this… but like it is said it can't really be explained I guess
But he's white. . ?
he doesn´t tap tha point…
very very bad video
lol
Dude your just slowing down…
the fucking pocket is different for every drummer, lol..cant explain it, want good pocket? listen to TOTO or Dennis Chambers!!!
Expert Village should get someone with decent recording equipment.
i got a pocket full of breaks moron !!
it doesnt mean to play slower.. almost every BLACK style music uses this style except we dont call it pocket. listen to "D.C GOGO drummers" on youtube. its in a black persons soul to have this feeling. even 2 month old black babys dance on this rhythm.
youtube or google "nobody beats the biz" by biz markie .. learn how to replay that basic drum pattern and you will have it down to a science.
Pocket = 2 and 4
idiot.
Wrong, as explained by Steve Kirby playing "in the pocket" is achieved by playing ever so slightly behind the beat but at the correct tempo.
As Ludwag511 said. Playing in the pocket just means playing without a bunch of fills and/or rolls.You just play straight forward and dont try to make the drums a lead instrument. You might do a little roll when the band hits "the bridge". Funk music is simple and stripped down. Thats why its fun. No distortion or solos on the guitars just straight ahead rythem chords. And the bass always plays "on the one" The first beat of the four count. I dont know what the hell this guy is talking about.
this dude is clueless
Pocket is knowing the one. you can play whatever u want from a straight beat to over the bar line fills so long as your one is locked. If you don't know what the one is you got some reading to do.
all this did was slow down the tempo…
pocket is just how good your damn timing makes the song feel.
a groove can land ahead, on, OR behind the beat.
the only way you can learn this shit is with your ears and with time and experience.
expert noob-age.
Amen Brother!
idiot.
sorry, i thought this was "Expert" village.
it does help to have tight timing to get into the pocket..
are you drunk??
first of all, i dont think that a white guy should have a video on how to be a funk drummer
it doesnt matter wether there black or white. your a dipshit. its like trying to say that only black people can play slap cos they started it when clearly flea is a very get good white slap player
who do u think flea was inspired by? bootsy collins, a black guy. its like a fact that black people have alot more rhythm than white people. that doesnt there isnt an occasional white person with awesome rhythm such as flea, or chad smith the drummer for the chili peppers.
hahaha sweetest comment ive heard in a long time!
It doesnt matter who he is inspired by, thats not the point. The point is white & black people can teach what ever they are good at. Your comment is a bit racist, its the same as me saying- its like a fact that black people have a lot more criminal records then white people. oh btw im not saying this person is good. expert village blows
The sound quality makes me cringe!
why expertvillage is always so bad haha, he's no expert…
red hoottt chili pepperrsssssss
You got to be kidding me. You're the "expert" in this video I'm assuming? Your drumming abilities are really an insult to us even amateurs if you call your self an expert.
isn't that just slowing down? behind the beat would be just be the same tempo, but hitting the snare a little bit behind
@nbeausejour
Thats Shuffle bro.
hahaha nice "pocket" fool… i don't think failing to have tempo means that's the pocket… I think what you're trying to define is referred to as second line… not straight 16th subdivision and not completely swung. next
there's a huge leak in your pocket dude
why are you all so rude…
ExpertVillage = Sucks
FreeDrumLessons = Really taught me how to drum!
Just check out FDL, its so much better!
ExpertVillage = Sucks
FreeDrumLessons = Really taught me how to drum!
Just check out FDL, its so much better!
"Expert village" or "Amateurs who don't know what they're doing will pointlessly try to give vague explanations of shit that everybody knows"…
whiners, build a bridge!
THATS A LIE…YES PURDIE ITS NOT BEHIND….SURE THERE'S A TECNICAL TERM NO FILLS JUST PLAY STRAIGHT UNTIL IT JUST COOKS LIKE A SOUP…THATS THE HOW U DESCRIBE IT…
@joaonvf freakin awesome hahaha well said
this is the only vid from you i don't like 🙁
so bored….
@MrJuzsztin yes…lost of drummers do…
@drum333cory
Haha but he said "there is no technical explanation"… Yours cant have been a technical explanation then, but it could have saved me watching this video :p
The pocket is just playing tight. Being consistantly out of the pocket means you might want to stop playing drums. Take up stitching or try your hand at making misinforming youtube videos like this one.
1:12 of my life I'll never get back…..playing in the pocket, doesnt mean you keep your hands in them….but then again, maybe its a good place for yours…..
you know what's funny, that you think you're funky, but u aint. Funk is not a feel that you can learn, u gotta feel it! if u aint feelin' it u aint playin'
I'm a really shitty drummer, and this video sucks balls.
IdiotVillage strikes again.
The Drum Expert is playing the drums using the wrong end of the drum stick.
Eh, all pocket means is you play everything evenly and your accents are on the right places.. having good tone doesnt hurt either. Using push and pull method on hihats helps.. When you play sixteens, think of a train "chug a chug a" accent a little on the upbeat and drop the 2 and 4/backbeat in the same place every time, better to be late then early if you cant be right on it.
@gleventhal Learn push pull here, this drummer seems to be a pocket drummer in this video based on the one measure he plays.
CRAP
this is the funniest shit Ive ever seen
pocket is wat i put my stuff in
He's just dragging it.
I read the title, then I saw 'expertvillage' and thought THIS is have to see.
expertvillage? more like sucksalotvillage!
Slowing down does not = pocket?
can expert village not afford mics?
learn how to tune your drums… then think about getting the pocket!
HE DRUNK!!!!!!!
What a stupid fucking video
lmao these guys are fucking douche bags. Give it up already. The only thing these guys are experts at is how to suck ass at drums.
the only nice thing for me is his snare sound.
It is offensive and unacceptable to present this kind of clueless bullshit to young musicians who are trying to improve, and may take it seriously. Shame on you, expertvillage.
And I'm dead serious. Shame on you..