ryangruss.com

Such a pun-laden headline could only mean one thing: Another funk loop. And rather than picking up the sticks and burying the VU meters into the red, I decided to to go the subtle route and use brushes to lay down the back beat.

Jim Keltner - Master of brushes, forks and pens.

Loop #119

I’ll admit, I’m not breaking any new ground with today’s groove. Drummers like Steve Jordan, Jim Keltner, and even the guy from G. Love and Special Sauce have been incorporating brushes into funk and pop grooves for years. I am, however, providing you with two measures of pristinely-produced, wide open snare, right hand on the floor tom, brush-based goodness.

Enjoy.

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103 BPM

One of my favorite albums of the past five years is Nine Inch Nails’ 2005 release, “With Teeth”. It’s a record chocked-full of hypnotic drum loops and haunting, yet hook-heavy melodies. It’s the perfect soundtrack for working out, getting in a fight at the mall or even playing D&D.

Loop #80

This loop takes some of the flammed-out, in your face, floor tom action that is present on several tracks on With Teeth and mixes it with the thick and dry kick and snare sound that is prevalent on many other Trent Reznor’s productions.

Now go lock yourself in your bedroom, paint your fingernails black and lay down some industrial-goth-pop stylings on top of this groove.

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114 BPM

Yeah, I know I should be hating on Meg White. The sloppy technique. The loose time. The lack of chops. But, in my humble opinion, she’s the perfect drummer for The White Stripes.

She doesn’t use multiple splash cymbals. She doesn’t play anything faster than a 16th note. She plays what she feels is right for the song… and it feels fucking great. Music shouldn’t fit on a grid. It should have a vibe. It should have some soul. Meg’s got plenty of soul. And a sweet set of Ludwigs.

Meg White

Loop #56

Today’s loop is based off of one of the many floor tom grooves favored by Meg. A strong, “four on the floor” feel, mixed with a bit of filtering. It might be a little “accurate” as far as grids go, but I gotta keep all of you REX-heads happy. Now, go start a band with your wife/sister and write some indie rock classics.

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129 BPM

At least it has a happy ending.

Can you imagine life without floor toms? The thought alone makes me want to crawl up into a ball and cry like a little girl. There would be no Sing, Sing Sing.. No awesome intro to Unskinny Bop. Oh, and you can forget about The Velvet Underground!

Rikki Rockett - Floor Tom Enthusiast

Loop #5

Dear Floor Tom,

You’ve kept people dancing since the 50’s. You’ve rumbled arenas around the world. You’ve always been there to support me (and my stick bag). This loop is dedicated to you.

Sincerely,
Ryan

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80 BPM