Solo #7 From Advanced Funk Studies by Rick Latham

Here is solo #7 from the classic drumming book Advanced Funk Studies by Rick Latham. This is one of my favorite books of all time and I use it regularly with students.
Solo #7 is written in a difficult linear funk style similar to the drumming of David Garibaldi, Gerry Brown, Mike Clark, Steve Gadd and Ed Greene.
It is a challenge to play this style evenly so I would suggest starting slowly with the metronome subdivided in 16th notes and play 4 bar phrases over and over until you are comfortable.
Don't forget to record yourself to check for accuracy.
In this video I start with a performance of solo #7 and then I talk about the techniques used to play the piece. I also show you the Ludwig Supraphonic snare that I love for this type of funk drumming.
I talk about rim shots and there application (don't use too many) and I also demonstrate a few bars that are especially tricky at a slower tempo.
The equipment I am using for this video consists of: Doc Sweeney Stave Drums in African Olive wood 20"x 16" Bass Drum Toms: 8"x 8", 10"x 8", 14"x 14 floor tom
A 14"x 5.5" Ludwig 1969 aluminum Supraphonic snare drum
Cymbals are: Sabian Jack DeJohnette 20" Ride
Wuhan 20" Lion Cymbal
Paiste Traditional 16" and 17" thin crashes
Sabian HH 13" Regular Hi-Hats Sabian 12" AA Mini Hats Heads on toms are Remo Pinstripes on toms Bass drum is an Aquarian Power stroke 1 head. Snare is a Remo Skyntone head.
Microphones are a AKG C24 stereo overhead and an Shure Beta 52 on the Bass drum

[@IBitePrettyHardSH]

Awesome performance and instruction as always Rick. That's one of the greatest drum books of all time. It's my favorite along with Stick Control. Beautiful kit too!

[@FadjarMoeljarto]

Weldone...great🔥🥁👍

[@Robertonatal1]

A lot of work there for less than two minutes of music!!. I'm currently working on it and I greatly appreciate the lesson you're sharing!

[@rickdior]

Yes, but it's a really fun 2 minutes.

[@WxkR]

The sound of that snare drum is just great! These solos look a little intimidating for us non-professional drummers. For what I heard you saying, #4 and #7 would be the most difficult ones. I am curious about what level are your students playing those two solos? College sophomores?Juniors?

[@rickdior]

Hi I have high school students who play these solos as well as some of my college students. You should not think of age as a factor as everyone has their own rate of improvement and accomplishment. Rather, just go at your own pace and enjoy the process.

[@scottpetersen3570]

Solo 7 is the hippest one of 1-10.

[@dgl_percussion]

Would you mind showing an enlarged pic of the muffler you’re using? I know you held it up back during your snare arsenal videos, but was kinda curious to get a little better look. Thanks!!!!

[@rickdior]

Hi Do you mean the snare drum muffler? Its just a thin piece of leather clipped to the rim with a binder clip. Nothing fancy.