Learn to playCissy Strutas made famous by The Meterson drums
The drum beat for "Cissy Strut" by The Meters is a funky groove with a syncopated rhythm, featuring a tight snare, steady kick, and intricate hi-hat work, creating a smooth, infectious feel.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Cissy Strut. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Cissy Strut
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
A Section
Apply a slight swing feel to your 1/16 notes throughout. The groove is based around a two-handed hi-hat pattern. Use your dominant hand to play the snare, with the other hand filling in the -e and -a beats on the hi-hat. Watch for the extra kick on beat 3-e in tandem with the hats.
B Section
The B section moves to a second-line march style feel, with accents on the open hi-hat on beats 4 and 4-&. Pay special attention to how the pedal hi-hat is incorporated into the groove. Play the snare triplets using a L - L - R - L sticking.
A section 2
Repeat the A section again, this time with some slight variations. Remember to keep the slinky straight-but-swung feel.
B section 2
Finish with another B section, with more snare triplets and groove variations. Finish on the hi-hat and kick on beat 1 of bar 9.
Combine and play
Now combine the sections to play the full arrangement.
Learn to play
Cissy Strut
with Melodics
Behind the track
CISSY STRUT
by THE METERS
"Cissy Strut" by The Meters is an instrumental funk classic characterized by its tight, syncopated rhythm and groovy composition. The song features a prominent, catchy guitar riff, a deep, driving bassline, and intricate drum patterns that create a smooth and infectious groove. The interplay between the instruments showcases the band's tight musicianship and ability to lock into a solid, rhythmic pocket. With no vocal performance, the track relies on its compelling instrumental arrangement and dynamic interplay to engage listeners, making "Cissy Strut" a timeless piece in the funk genre.
Tips for learning SONG NAME on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'SONG NAME' individually for precision mastery. With Melodics, you can slow the pace of the song and work up to full speed.
Tip 2: Review your performance
Identify growth areas: Listen to playback of your performance to learn where you need to develop your timing, technique & rhythm. Melodics provides instant feedback on your performance.
Tip 3: Practice makes perfect
Stay consistent: With regular, focused practice you'll see rapid progress when learning the song. Even a short session each day will make a huge difference.
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FAQs
- Playing "Cissy Strut" by The Meters on drums is moderately challenging. The song features a distinct, syncopated funk groove that requires precision and a strong sense of timing. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- While not overly complex, the song demands good technique, coordination, and a solid understanding of funk rhythms, making it suitable for intermediate drummers.
- 89 bpm
- 4/4
- E minor
- New songs are released every week on Melodics! And we love to take requests - the best place for this is within our Discord community where you can also connect with other music learners around the world. Check out https://melodics.com/info/community.