From whence came the shuffle?

Eddie Lange · Post by **Eddie Lange** » 6 Mar 2002 5:19 pm

Well I am not going to discredit Herb, Kevin, or Mr. Bush (the King of all Shuffles), but I think 4 on the floor gives the shuffle really nice drive if you know what I mean, especially in a rhythm section without a piano. Swing on the other hand no, but you guys know that, you're from Texas

. Say by the way, I have a Johnny Bush live album from the late 70's that has John "Smiley" Reynolds on drums and I believe he is playing 4 on the floor.

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The Young Steelkid[This message was edited by Eddie Lange on 06 March 2002 at 05:21 PM.]

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 6 Mar 2002 7:41 pm

Eddie
I work with Smiley all the time since he's back doing a bunch of Bush gigs, and trust me, he plays 1 and 3 on the bass drum.

As to the live album, I don't have it and can't comment... though I've known lots of albums with hot bass mixes to sound like the bass drum is kicking 4/4.

BTW, I was stating Johnny's preferences (and Justin's and Loessberg's), not necessarily my own, though I did just say a little while ago that it was!

(I just edited my preference)It depends on the drummer and the band. I agree that 4/4 on the bass drum with a knowledgeable drummer can really move a band. But the majority of the Texas shuffle guys I work with down here in Texas go for the 1/3 bass drum thing.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

[This message was edited by Herb Steiner on 06 March 2002 at 09:19 PM.]

Manny Shuffles · Post by **Manny Shuffles** » 6 Mar 2002 9:54 pm

Let me reinforce my from the heart take earlier. As a drummer who has played many styles of music, I'd say you're all right on

However understand the style defines what feel you put on a shuffle. A price song may require a 1/3 bass with dotted eights on the hihat with 2/4 snare (basic country suffle)

A stevie ray vaughn song may require4/4 bass drum with actually an emphasis on 2 and 4, single note quarters on the right hand while shuffling with your left on the snare (the song cold shot comes to mind) some mistakingly call this a double shuffle.

Sorry to be so long but here's my point. There are a hundred different ways to shuffle. The real question is the FEEL. Most are to damned worried about technique or riffs or licks. Its not knowing what to play, its knowing how to play.

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swing it til' the wheels fall off!