Funk / Fusion Style

Funk is a style typically involving a strong snare drum back beat on two and four. Either straight or swung eighth notes are common. The main difference between a funk and a rock groove is that the drummer has more freedom to break up the groove into more angular or separated elements. Rather than lining things up vertically or simultaneously, the groove can take on a more linear feel by placing the flowing bass, snare, and hi hat notes at entirely separate times. Also, because funk is related to earlier music styles, it can have grooves that strongly resemble jazz and rock. Fusion grooves have elements of jazz, funk, rock, or other related genres. It is typically more based in jazz with elements of others styles ornamenting the feel. The ECM groove is a typical fusion drum set style - ECM refers to the record label by the same name. This groove is based around driving eighth notes on the ride cymbal, with sporadic snare and bass notes providing more accompaniment.