Funk Mozambique

q =100-120 By John Xepoleas

The first time I heard Steve Gadd play his funky Mozambique groove, I was floored. I was familiar
with Afro-Cuban rhythms, but had never heard anything like what he was playing. In this lesson I'll
teach you the basic funk Mozambique groove plus some great sounding variations.

Start by playing the ride pattern on a cowbell. I like the LP Mambo bell with some tape on it to stop
some on the ringing. Practice the pattern until it becomes second nature. The ride pattern can also
be played on a closed hi-hat, ride cymbal, bell of ride or rim of tom.

Pay close attention to the accented notes. They'll to give the groove the correct feel. Play the
accented notes ( ) with the shoulder of the stick on the mouth of the bell. Play the unaccented notes
( ) with the tip of the stick on top of the bell.

Now with the left hand on the snare drum, fill-in all of the 8th-notes that are not played in the ride
pattern. Add the bass drum to complete the basic groove. Be sure to play the ghost notes ( ) as
softly as possible.

Here are some nice sounding bass drum variations

1.

2.

3.


4.

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Practice the following snare drum accent variations.

1.

2.





3.

You can create some great sounding grooves by combining the different snare and bass drum variations.

1.

2.





3.

The accented snare drum notes can also be played on the toms.

Hi-tom
Lo-tom

1.

Hi-tom Lo-tom
Med-tom

2.

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You can really create some excitement with the groove by adding flams.

1.






2.

You can cplay the Mozambique with a half-time feel by accenting the snare on the first beat of
the second bar

1.

2.

3.

4.

Copyright (C) 2011 by John Xepoleas. All rights reserved.