Concept: Toy Dancing

By Billy Martin Published in the August, 2009 issue of DRUM!

This is a funk beat inspired by a Central African pattern that you can find in my book Riddim: Claves Of African Origin (page 68). I prefer to call this type of pattern a clave because in Spanish clave translates as “key.” And, that rhythm is key to what makes this beat funky and musical — not the bass drum and snare alone. In this situation, I like to play the clave pattern on the hi-hat or cowbell.

The notation here is within a simple one-bar phrase. But there is more to it than what is written. The feel and nuance of how I play can get lost in translation. In the video for this lesson I’m playing this beat with variations. I start this pattern on the hi-hat and switch to cowbell while maintaining two-on-the-floor and backbeat snare combinations. I also add fills when I feel it necessary and make variations on the clave itself. You can follow that with your own approach or cop what I do. Whatever gets you playing.

Even without the video, you can just play what is written and come up with your own funky flavor. You can also hear (and see) recordings of Medeski, Martin, And Wood perform this under “Toy Dancing” on our compilation in the bonus DVD of the Fourplay mini-documentary.