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Learn to groove

33 Lessons

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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.

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Groove Class

Internal Pulse

2 Chapters

General practice

5 Lessons

Paid Course

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.

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Practice time

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

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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."

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Play

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

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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

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Effortless duple and triple time.

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

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Repeat step 3

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

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Setup/fill

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

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Dynamics

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

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Perform

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

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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?

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Second Line

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

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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

11 Lessons

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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)

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Isn't She Lovely

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

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Long Train Running

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

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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.

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Thinking Out Loud

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

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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).

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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.

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Simplified Grooves for Cory Henry's "Switch"

Practicing with limitations will enhance your ability to play dynamically and groove tightly. Use the Bandlab multi-track to play along and refine your parts.

Collective Recording

3 Lessons

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Collective Recording Project 1

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Tracks, Mix, Complete?

When is a project actually done to completion? After recording, editing, and mixing is your project actually done? In this lesson, we will delve into the process of preparing tracks and mixing a complete project. While the project in BandLab is mostly finished, it's important to understand that altering even a single track can have a profound impact on the entire project's shape. Our goal is to explore these possibilities each set of the way.

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Exploring Musical Textures

This exercise is a creative exploration of music textures and will help you develop a deeper understanding of how to manipulate musical elements to achieve different expressive effects in your compositions. Have fun experimenting!

Top 10 Grooves

1 Lesson

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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.

Bonus Lessons

1 Lesson

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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.

Revisiting Key Lessons

2 Lessons

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I Don't Need No Doctor

Practicing vs Playing: Advanced Deliberate Practice: Blend intuition and complex training routines. Challenge Mindset: Refine goal setting, self-evaluation, and plateaus. Time Feel: Beyond the Click: Internalize rhythm through movement, voice, and freestyle. Genre Time Feel: Explore and apply nuances of swing, funk, Latin, etc. Comping Mastery: Create and play supportive rhythmic backgrounds. How to Groove: Rhythm & Melody Play: Analyze and create grooves shaped by melody. Ghost Notes & More: Master subtle rhythmic techniques for depth. Dynamics & Articulation: Sculpt groove with dynamics and articulation variations.

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Long Train Running / 2024

Here is a high-energy version of "Long Train Running." Add your own part to the existing tracks. Understanding the song's structure, dynamics, and solo sections.

Self Analysis

1 Lesson

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What do I need to do to improve?

While you might identify several areas you'd like to improve, it's helpful to narrow down your focus to one or two specific goals through careful consideration and setting simple objectives. By doing so, you can concentrate your efforts more effectively and make tangible progress toward achieving those goals.

Less is More

1 Lesson

Paid Course

Sade "Sweetest Taboo"

In this lesson, students will explore the power of simplicity by focusing on Sade's "Sweetest Taboo." Each student will first learn and record the simple part played by their instrument, analyzing how minimalism enhances the groove. Then, they will apply the "Less is More" approach by composing their own parts, emphasizing space, dynamics, and intentional note choice. Finally, they will record these parts in Bandlab, integrating them into the full track to experience how less can indeed be more in a musical context.

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.