Mike Clark Funk, Blues & Jazz
In this in-depth Hal Leonard video series, legendary drummer Mike Clark (Herbie Hancock, Headhunters, Eddie Henderson, Brand X) explains and demonstrates the Blues, Funk and Jazz roots behind his unique and highly influential drumming approach.
Videos
• Introduction (00:35) - Mike shares his drumming history and what he will be covering in this series. As mike has been a drummer with tons of musicians, throughout this series we'll hear great stories and tips.
• Funk Influences & Beats Pt. 1 (09:36) - Mike plays one of the first funk beats he ever heard and talks about drummers particular styles and how he approached them as a drummer. Mike also discusses ghost notes, fills and grooves.
• Funk Influences & Beats Pt. 2 (10:36) - Mike discusses 'off beats' and how he would add them to his grooves and continues to tap into signature styles of drumming heroes from the past and how he's shaped them into his own style.
• Shuffles (03:35) - Mike talks a bit about the different shuffles and how he approaches them, including classics like the 'Big Beat Shuffle' and the 'Texas Shuffle'.
• Swing (05:31) - Mike brings us back to the history of swing and imitates some great swing grooves, focusing on the ride cymbal and the signature accents that make up that classic swing sound.
• Slow Blues (02:35) - We slow things down a bit for this video as we dive into the essential slow blues techniques, working the ride cymbal and snare into that classic sound.
• Phrasing & Form (14:05) - In this video, Mike covers what Jazz-Funk is and how he plays it before discussing phrasing, which helps bring us to soloing and how to keep everything together with the band during the performance.
• Influences & Styles (05:03) - Mike gives some heart felt advice for drummers of all different styles and how to learn from your favorite drummers and make your own statement through drumming. Mike ends this video on a great history lesson about the best Jazz and funk drummers of all time.
• Past Lives (05:38) - Mike explains the track titled 'Past Lives' that brings together funk and swing styles. He also demonstrates this live with his band so you can really see the fusion between the multiple styles.
• Loft Funk (09:50) - Mike talks about the Jazz he would play in New York lofts in the late 70's. Watch as Mike and the band takes us up to the loft and lays down that NY Jazz.
• Slow Blues (Performance) (04:05) - Mike tips his hat to the great blues drummer Ray Torres and plays a slow blues tribute with the band.
• Blues Shuffle (02:41) - Your feet will be tapping from this video as Mike and the band plays an organ blues shuffle that was inspired by great blues drummers from his early days.
• Medium Swing (03:08) - In this video, Mike explores both 'Medium Swing' and the 'Ride Beat'.
• Bright Swing (01:03) - This quick video featuring the whole band shows us what 'Bright Swing' is and how they use it in the groove.
• Funk (02:14) - Best known for his Oakland style and 16th note funk style, Mike and the band take us for a ride to that funky era.
• More Funk (05:16) - Here's another take on the Oakland Funk style. The whole band is with us again and really hits the groove with this live demonstration.
• Final Remarks & Credits (03:16) - Mike shows us a quick ending for that classic last note on the song before listing off the drummers that were essential to his career.