How to Play P-Funk on My Drums

A strong, staccato groove is important when playing P-Funk songs on drums.

Parliament Funkadelic, commonly called P-Funk, is known for its groove-heavy funk sound. In particular, its drum parts often are very complicated, with a lot of staccato hi-hat, quick bass drum and tight snare fills. However, the drum parts aren't impossible to perform. If you're already a skilled drummer, you can learn how to play P-Funk on your drums with some additional practice.

Instructions

1. Press down on the hi-hat pedal so you get a tight hi-hat sound. Adjust the settings on your hi-hat stand, if necessary, so that you can get the hi-hat cymbals to be pressed tightly together.

2. Hit the hi-hat with a drumstick to get a tight, short sound. P-Funk drum parts are known for their staccato hi-hat parts. Often these parts are highly syncopated. Practice playing on different spots in the measure, not just eighth notes. Practice the shuffle rhythm on the hi-hat to help make it easier for you to master P-Funk hi-hat playing.

3. Hit the bass drum with the bass drum pedal. P-Funk bass drum parts often are very short, quick parts, such as hitting the "a" of 2 and then "3," creating two quick notes. This helps produce that signature funk groove often is found in P-Funk songs.

4. Hit the snare drum on counts "2" and "4" with a drumstick. Throw in subtle variations, such as playing the snare on different spots in the measure. To get the P-Funk sound, use a crisp-sounding snare drum with a high sound. Tightly tune your snare drum or use a piccolo snare to achieve that sound.

5. Play a fill on the snare drum. P-Funk drummers often do fills right on the snare drum, typically playing a staccato and syncopated fill that also uses the hi-hat and toms, if the song calls for it. Keep the groove strong, which is most important in P-Funk.

References

• Drums Database: Funk Drums

Resources

• Guitar Center: Rock House Funk and Hip-Hop Drums Featuring Jerome Brailey of P-Funk