Play That Funky Music
Drum Sheet Music

Practice Wild Cherry on Drums

Intermediate to Advanced

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Learn to Play Play That Funky Music Faster With Pro Interactive Drum Player

Choose your Drum Sheet Version

Two versions of the drum sheet - choose the one that fits your level and goals.

ORIGINAL VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Intermediate to Advanced

Exactly as played on the original recording
All fills & ghost notes
Full arrangement

Purchase for only 1.90$

SIMPLIFIED VERSION

Difficulty Level:

Easy to Intermediate

Easier to learn
Simplified fills
Reduced ghost notes
Perfect for beginners & intermediates

Purchase for only 1.90$

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We recommend starting with the Simplified Version and moving to the Original Version once you're comfortable with the groove and structure.

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Drumming Techniques You'll Learn in Play That Funky Music

Funk Syncopation Mastery
Hi-Hat Foot Coordination
Snare Ghost Note Dynamics
Rhythmic Pocket Precision

Recommended For

This drum sheet is recommended for intermediate drummers seeking to refine their funk groove, dynamic limb independence, and syncopated coordination. It is an invaluable study for players wanting to master the balance between ghost notes and powerful backbeats while locking tightly into a danceable rhythm.

Learn to play Play That Funky Music on drums

Learn to play Play That Funky Music on drums with our interactive drum sheet and synchronized video player. Follow every note in real time as the synchronized drum notation moves with the music, helping you master Ron Beitle’s syncopated funk groove. Slow down the groove using precise tempo control to nail the subtle ghost notes, or loop difficult sections like the upbeat hi-hat openings to build flawless muscle memory. With our isolated drums feature, you can separate the drum score from the heavy bassline to analyze every snare crack. This interactive drum sheet turns a standard drum cover into an efficient practice tool, sharpening your linear coordination and timing precision. Grab your sticks and master this groove today!

Song information

Artist: Wild Cherry

Drummer: Ron Beitle

Album: Wild Cherry

Released: 1976

Sheet Music Details

Length

3 pages of highly readable, clean drum score layouts.

Tempo

110-119

Time Signature

4/4

Key features

Features a driving 110 BPM syncopated funk groove, crisp upbeat hi-hat openings, ghost note snare variations, and punchy crash accents that precisely lock with the horn section's rhythmic stabs.

Song's Overview

Released in 1976 on the band's self-titled debut album, Play That Funky Music became a definitive track that successfully bridged the gap between hard rock and mainstream funk. The song relies heavily on a syncopated, rhythmic call-and-response between the bass guitar and the drum kit, creating an energetic dance floor groove driven entirely by sharp accents and absolute precision. For musicians working to learn Play That Funky Music on drums, the track serves as an essential lesson in funk syncopation and limb independence. Ron Beitle’s drumming avoids over-complicating the arrangement, opting instead for a rock-solid foundation punctuated by crisp, open hi-hat notes on the upbeats and ghosted snare hits. When studying a Play That Funky Music drum cover, you can hear how the drums act as the glue holding the aggressive brass hits and the iconic guitar riff together. Using an accurate Play That Funky Music drum sheet is highly valuable for developing absolute control over your left-foot hi-hat pedal and micro-timing. The performance proves that a drummer's groove is shaped by the space between the notes just as much as the notes themselves, making it a foundational study for anyone expanding their funk-rock repertoire.

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About the Drummer

Ron Beitle was the drummer for Wild Cherry, responsible for one of the most famous funk-rock grooves ever recorded. His rock-solid and driving beat helped "Play That Funky Music" become a global hit. He is a great example for beginners learning drums on how to hold a funk groove.

Drumming Style

His style is characterized by a "heavy" funk feel, utilizing a strong snare backbeat and a driving kick drum. Playing drums to his track requires a consistent, unmoving pocket that locks in with the bass. This track is a must-know for anyone recording funk drum covers and early drum lessons.

Practice Advice

Start Below Full Speed

The song’s funk syncopation requires clean separation between your limbs. Start practicing at 85 BPM using tempo control to ensure your kick drum notes don't bleed into your ghost notes before stepping up to the original 110 BPM.

Loop Upbeat Hi-Hat Opens

Loop Upbeat Hi-Hat Opens The recurring hi-hat openings on the "and" of the beats provide the song's signature lift. Loop these specific sections to master the foot-to-hand coordination needed to open and choke the cymbals crisply without rushing the tempo.

Avoid Overplaying the Snare

A common mistake when learning this drum transcription is hitting the ghost notes too hard. Keep your ghost notes faint and close to the drumhead, saving your full velocity for the authoritative backbeats on beats two and four.

Lock With the Bassline

To capture the true feel of this printable drum sheet, align your bass drum notes perfectly with the bass guitar's rhythmic slaps. Practice along with a metronome, focusing on the spaces between notes to establish an unshakeable pocket.

Master the Horn Accents

The fills in this track are often quick, punctuated crash hits that mirror the brass section. Work on striking these accents cleanly and returning immediately back into the core groove without losing your physical relaxation or balance.

Learning Roadmap

Phase 1: Isolate the Core Funk

Groove Begin by mastering the foundational eighth-note hi-hat pulse and the syncopated kick patterns. Practice slowly to ensure your bass drum hits align perfectly with the standard snare backbeat before adding any embellishments or variations.

Phase 2: Integrate Ghost Notes and Barks

Once the baseline groove is stable, introduce the soft ghost notes and upbeat hi-hat openings. Focus on the dynamic contrast between loud backbeats and quiet ghost notes, developing the hand-foot coordination needed for a true funk feel.

Phase 3: Smooth Out Section Transitions

Practice navigating the changes between the driving verses, the choruses, and the bridge. Isolate the quick fill placements and crash accents, ensuring you transition back into the main pocket smoothly without dragging or rushing the rhythm.

Phase 4: Perform the Full Endurance

Perform the Full Endurance Run Play through the entire drum notation score along with the full audio track. Concentrate on keeping your wrist relaxed during continuous hi-hat playing, maintaining rigid micro-timing, and delivering an energetic, groove-heavy performance from start to finish.