Video/Text

Learn to groove

26 Lessons

0% Not started

The Groove Class is an online, interactive approach to developing, practicing and improving ensemble playing. Developed by Vinny Valentino as part of the Drum Fantasy Camp class offerings, The Groove Class connects students to students using PlayAlongTunes tracks to practice playing in a group. Groove Class participants will also have access to Bandlab (practice recording and uploading content), a secret Facebook group, YouTube Channel, a monthly listening session and a monthly group meeting as a way to continue the ensemble coaching and learning process. Participants will be able to upload audio and video content and interact with other members of the group and receive continued coaching from and access to Vinny Valentino.

Ready?

Start Course

Groove Class

Internal Pulse

2 Chapters

General practice

5 Lessons

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

How to Practice more efficiently and effectively.

In this lesson I have detailed 5 "things" that will help you develop a better and more effective practice routine. Let me know if you have any questions.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Practice time

For this lesson, we will dig into the specifics of how and what to practice to develop that deep head-bopping groove.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Motivation

In this lesson we will work on answering the question, what motivates you?Let's start by understanding exactly what it means to be motivated. When I think of motivation I think of reason to do something. "a reason or reasons to act in a certain way." "stimulate interest or enthusiasm for doing something."

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Play

Just play the first ideas that come to you with the PlayAlong track.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Record and Upload

In this lesson, you will be documenting what you have worked on in the previous steps.

Working with a metronome

8 Lessons

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Effortless duple and triple time.

The goal of this lesson is to practice being able to hear and perform duple and triple time feels.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Repeat step 3

Develop a different 4-8 bar pattern/ostinato that does not change.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Setup/fill

In this lesson, we will add a setup/fill to the patterns.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Dynamics

In this lesson, you will be working on the previous steps but adding dynamics.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Perform

Like in the second lesson you are just going to play and record.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Checking your pulse, your time, your groove

This lesson is more of a timing, pulse test. Can you keep time when the band, backing track or metronome drops out?

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Second Line

This lesson is we are working on the Second Line Groove. Check the attached tune, "Pack a Lunch."

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

On The One

The key to the James Brown funk groove lies on the emphasis of the first beat of the phrase.

Playing and listening

10 Lessons

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Listen

Download the tracks and check out how it was originally recorded. (I like to spend 2 weeks just listening to new music before I attempt to play it. That's not always possible but preferable)

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Isn't She Lovely

This is a review of what we have worked on in the previous 3 lessons.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Long Train Running

In this lesson we will dive into producing a complete track with your playing as part of the ensemble.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

The Trouble With

Drummers play the bass drum on beats 1 in and the and of 3. Bass players do the same. Guitar players on 1 and the a of 2.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Thinking Out Loud

In this lesson we will work on record your part to the song "Thinking Out Loud," in Bandlab.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Sir Duke (4 on the Floor)

This is the Stevie Wonder tune Sir Duke. We will do an analysis of the tune based on the phrases and parts.There is an accompanying play along track is available in bandlab at a slower tempo than the original.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Beautiful Love

This is the standard "Beautiful Love" from the Great American Songbook as play by Anita O'Day. https://youtu.be/VjLYoTR8cDE Written by Wayne King, Victor Young and Egbert Van Alstyne with lyrics by Haven Gillespie. Listen to many versions and get to know the melody. I can make recommendations if need be. What kind of song structure is it? What's the form?The key is D minor, the tempo is medium 78 = the half note. Have fun and let me know if you have any questions.

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

I Don’t Need No Doctor

Practice playing the song, "I Don't Need No Doctor," with multiple styles. Rock (Ray Charles), Funk (John Mayer, Jon Schofield) and Bossa Nova (I'll post an example)

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

8 Guitar Grooves

Practice and play to these 8 guitar grooves. 1. Play with a minimalistic and approach. 2. Play with a maximum approach. (what is the minimum and maximum you can play and still support the groove).

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

What’d I Say

"What'd I Say" by Ray Charles is a classic R&B tune that was released in 1959. The song is known for its catchy, repetitive piano riff and Charles' soulful vocals.

Bonus Lessons

1 Lesson

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

A lesson brought to you by Steve Smith

Steve gets into the details of practicing and where to find the "skip beat." Bonus materials include a listening list and a reading list.

Top 10 Grooves

1 Lesson

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Top 10 Grooves of all time.

This is a list of the top 10 grooves of all time. Each person has their own idea of what that will be. There is no wrong answer.

Collective Recording

1 Lesson

ONLY FOR LOGGED-IN USERS

Collective Recording Project 1

About the teacher

Vinny Valentino

Grammy-nominated Guitarist, Composer Vinny Valentino continues to redefine musical genres, to the acclaim of audiences worldwide. From his debut recording, The Distance Between Two Lines, to his latest 2016 recording Groove Blue Vinny continues to expand the confines of the guitar, composition, and recording. His international debut recording, The Distance Between Two Lines, shot straight up the charts to #2 and stayed on the national charts for more than 14 weeks. Paul Anthony of Jazz Unlimited called it “one of the top five albums of 1993.”Versatile is an understatement when describing guitarist and composer, Vinny Valentino. Playing guitar since age six, this native Virginian began touring in a progressive rock band while still in high school. At age 16, influenced by the music of George Benson, Vinny began pursuing Jazz as a career. He recalls, "The turning point for me was hearing George Benson in concert; I had never heard anybody play like that. He single-handily changed the way I listen to music and played guitar." Vinny earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies at Howard University. In 1988, he released his first solo recording entitled, Vinny Valentino, and now has twelve recordings to his credit. Vinny appeared with his band as the featured performers on BET’s jazz cable program, “Bet on Jazz.” This one-hour feature program became one of the top five requested programs on “Bet on Jazz”. One of the first musicians to perform live on the World Wide Web, Vinny continues to pioneer on the Internet with online clinics, performances, and lessons at http://www.vinny.com. Vinny’s compositions have been recorded by Steve Smith and Vital Information, John Benitez, George Benson, Sunny Sumter, and Steve Haas and are featured in the “All Jazz Real Book.” The National Endowment for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts have recognized Vinny’s talents as composer, arranger, and recording artist with a grant for a series of works entitled "New Music for Three Guitars." A significant part of this innovation is Vinny’s new PlayAlong Tunes website (www.playalongtunes.com) where aspiring musicians can download various tracks minus the instrument they play. These recordings will offer fans and students alike the chance to play along with many genres of music from their favorite musicians.