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James Brown

(Tune sign: move hands in circles beside both sides of head, to suggest a 'Jackson 5' haircut)

Notes:

Named after the Godfather of Soul because Break 1 and the end of Break 2 sounds just like the beginning of the James Brown classic “Like a Sex Machine”.

In this tune, the low Surdo swaps one of its beaters for a plastic Repenique stick (aka a whippy stick) and plays close to the rim with that hand to get a higher pitched sound.

Start with break 2 played through once.

Break 3 is played so that the snare keeps playing its normal rhythm, whilst everyone else plays the break. It is normally played 4 times, although you can play it over and over until the mestre gives the signal to go back into the groove.

Try for a bit of a difference having everyone play the groove rhythm on the rims of their instruments. Call Break 1 (played normally) and then go back to playing on rims. Repeat this a few times before going back to playing the groove normally by calling Break 2.

Also try stopping everyone except the Surdos - it sounds fantastic!

Break up the groove by stopping everyone for a count of four except for one group of instruments to continue playing through the silence.

End with break 2.

[Printable Version]

Groove

x = hit

w = played with a whippy stick close to the rim get a higher pitched sound.

fl = flare on repenique

. = shadow note on snare

l = low agogo bell

h = high agogo bell

Break 1

(Signal: hold up 1 finger)

1st note (*E) is played on the upbeat of the last bar of the groove - there is no pause

x = hit

Break 2/ Intro break

(Signal: hold up 2 fingers)

S = Surdos

E = Everyone else

Break 3

(Signal: hold up 3 fingers)