Linear Time Playing: Funk & Fusion Grooves for the Modern Styles
Funk & Fusion Grooves for the Modern Styles
By Gary Chaffee
Item: 00-PB-0002043
$25.99
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Description
An introduction to linear time playing. The first section contains basic exercises for linear playing skills: voice coordination, dynamic balance, accenting, and more. The second section deals with the development of time feels in the linear style, including 4/4, half-time, shuffle, and odd-meter.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
72
SKU:
00-PB-0002043
More about this title
About the Composer: Gary Chaffee
Gary Chaffee stands as one of the most influential voices in modern drumset pedagogy, particularly for players seeking to break free from traditional swing and straight-ahead rock feels. His systematic approach to coordination and time has shaped how generations of drummers understand independence, voice leading, and the mechanics of contemporary groove styles.
Why we love this
Chaffee's linear approach cuts through the noise by treating the drumset as a melodic instrument rather than just a timekeeping tool. This book doesn't ask students to memorize licks; it builds the architectural understanding of how limbs coordinate to create coherent musical lines across funk, fusion, and contemporary styles. The progression from foundational voice work into diverse time feels makes it equally useful for the first-year student grasping coordination and the advanced player exploring textural sophistication.
What to expect
Linear time playing opens up a textural palette where every limb speaks independently yet harmoniously. The grooves generated feel intentional and sculptural, with voices weaving in and out rather than stacking predictably. It's methodical work, but the payoff is drums that sound modern, articulate, and distinctly personal.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced drumset students ready to move beyond basic groove playing into sophisticated voice coordination and contemporary time feels. This suits drummers in fusion ensembles, modern jazz settings, or any group exploring funk and advanced rock vocabularies.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate each limb separately before combining voices. Chaffee's exercises demand clarity; rushing to combine all four limbs before each voice is secure will obscure the learning.
- Record yourself playing the exercises and listen back with fresh ears. You'll hear dynamic imbalances and uneven accenting that feel fine in the moment but need refinement.
- Apply the shuffle and odd-meter feels to repertoire you're already playing. This bridges the gap between method material and actual musical contexts.
How to use it
Assign the foundational exercises as part of individual practice regimens for students advancing from basic rock and jazz. The time feel section maps naturally onto a fusion or contemporary jazz ensemble, where students can apply new vocabulary directly to ensemble repertoire within the same rehearsal season.
Skills your students will build
- Voice coordination and independence across all four limbs
- Dynamic balance and controlled accent placement
- Linear phrasing and melodic drumming concepts
- Time feels in 4/4, half-time, and shuffle rhythms
- Odd-meter time feels and mixed-meter coordination
- Application of linear concepts to authentic funk and fusion contexts