Rhythm reading lessons › Lesson 19 of 19
Sixteenths around rests on the beat: the core of funk grooves.
Funk rhythms sit on the "e" and "a" of the beat, with rests where you would normally clap. The beat is still there; you just don't play it.
Nod your head on every click and keep all four sixteenth slots going in your mind. Clap only the ones that are written.
| Figure | Count | Kodály syllables |
|---|---|---|
| Rest + e + & + a | (1) e & a | (sh) ti-ka-ti |
| e and a only | (1) e (&) a | (sh) ti (sh) ka |
A funk rhythm treats all four sixteenth slots as equal and then takes notes away, very often the one on the beat. What remains are short notes on "e", "&" and "a" with rests between them. On paper this looks messy, with many sixteenth rests, but each beat is still just a choice of slots.
Rhythm guitarists and drummers keep a hand moving in steady sixteenths and let only some of the strokes sound. Do the same: tap all four sixteenths lightly on your leg with one hand, and clap or press the key only on the written notes. Start at 60 BPM. Read one beat at a time and name its slots before you play it.
Notes on "e" and "a" drift towards the nearest beat or "&", so the rhythm straightens itself out into eighth notes. The rests also get shortened, which makes the whole bar rush. Keep the click on and nod on every beat. The shorter and tighter the notes, the more it sounds like funk.