Learn to playPapa's Got A Brand New Bagas made famous by James Brownon drums
The drum beat in "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown features a tight, syncopated rhythm with a heavy emphasis on the backbeat, creating a funky, danceable groove.
With our step-by-step drum lesson you can recreate the beat behind Papa's Got A Brand New Bag. We’ve broken down the main sections of the song and will take you through each part beat by beat, with video demonstrations.
Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
Drums Tutorial - Step by Step
Learn the A section
In the original recording, the snare alternates between cross-stick and a regular stroke. For this lesson, we will play all regular strokes.
This song comprises two sections. Start with the A section. Lay down 1/8 notes on the hi-hat, opening the hi-hat on beats 1-& and 3-&. After 9 bars, stop on the snare and hi-hat for the guitar riff, and play hits on snare, then kick and crash on beats 1 and 2.
Learn the B section
Continue the hi-hat and snare pattern in the B section, and switch the kick pattern to play on beats 1-& and 3-&.
Perform the track
Start the song with a hit on beat 4, then launch into the form: A - A - B - A.
Learn to play
Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
with Melodics
Behind the track
Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
by James Brown
"Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" by James Brown is characterized by its energetic, syncopated rhythm, funky horn riffs, and tight, repetitive grooves. The song features a prominent backbeat, driving bassline, and punchy brass section that create a dynamic and danceable sound. James Brown's vocal performance is powerful and spirited, with his signature soulful delivery, rhythmic phrasing, and spontaneous shouts that enhance the song's lively and infectious energy.
Tips for learning Papa's Got A Brand New Bag on drums
Tip 1: Slow it down
Break it down: Tackle each section of 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag' 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 "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" on drums can be challenging, especially for beginners. The song features a syncopated rhythm and tight, consistent groove that requires precise timing and control. The drummer must maintain a steady backbeat and incorporate subtle ghost notes and accents to capture the funky feel of the track. While not the most technically demanding song, it does require a good sense of rhythm and the ability to lock in with the bass and other instruments. Fortunately, there are beginner versions of the song available on Melodics to check out!
- To play "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" on drums, you need several skills. Rhythmic precision is crucial for maintaining the song's syncopated groove. Keeping a steady backbeat on the snare drum is essential for capturing the funky feel. Understanding and internalizing the groove will help you play it convincingly. Coordination between your hands and feet is necessary to play different drum parts in sync. Dynamic control is important for adding ghost notes and accents that enhance the rhythm. Endurance is needed to maintain energy and consistency throughout the song. Finally, strong listening skills will help you lock in with the bass and other instruments for a tight, cohesive performance. Practicing these skills will enable you to master the drum parts for this classic James Brown track.
- 129 bpm
- 4/4
- E major
- 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.