Syncopated Funk Groove I Drum Lesson 

20 years of drumming and I could never really explain syncopation. My dude just did it in 5 seconds.

Jesus christ, what a natural teacher.

The vlog style vids would be really cool!

i never see a drummer play so smooth

Killer groove Mike. Also that fill at 6.29 was so tasty, I would love to see a breakdown on that!

THIS is why I LOVE watching mikes videos and learning from him. He’s such a GREAT teacher.

Hi Mike ... You are absolutley right with your playing and your comments!!! Thx for sharing!!! Greetings from germany Christoph 👏👏👏👏👏

Been kit-less for years after some apartment living and lots of moves. Electronic kit getting delivered today and while it won't replace acoustic I'm so excited to be playing again. Been watching your videos for years even while I haven't more than pads. Thanks for everything!

Vintage drum hunt? Yes and yes!!!

Hello Mike .. I don't know how we found your video but we don't regret being here!! Very natural, honest, heartfelt ... We hear you well on the Funk groove .. And you are absolutely right .. Your dog is adorable. Excellent video and above all: "Let There Be Funk!" Cheers!!

To fill it you need to say "just chill" after every repeat of the first 4 notes! Love your videos and content!

Mike, you are the tone and tempo that sets so many listeners ablaze. They watch your old videos, your recent videos and wind up like me, commenting on how important you are to the drumming community. I laid level a favorite view for you in 2007! So happy to see you so effing far!!!!

Such a good teacher you are! Thank you!

Yes please Mike's drum vlogs.

The second you explained thinking about throwing in the best at the gig, made me a faithful follower and subscriber. Totally what I do all the time!

Your new "M" logo is absolutely awesome! An "M" combined with digital VU meters. A perfect idea!

Yes to the vintage vlog! x

Vlog of the drum search would be very cool. Showing what you're looking for as well as showcasing some cool drum shops would be a good watch!

Thank you Mike... come back to great groove...awesome. .. yeah..

1. Vlog = yes. 2. Juno = my day made. Thank you princess

We need more Vintage Drum Vlogs! I've been anxiously waiting for new ones! As a drummer and a lover of vintage things, these are perfect! Plus, you're a personality anyone could watch anytime! Thanks for inspiring and Merry Christmas

I owe you a lot Mike. Thank for your RU-vid lessons and for your amazing app!

Mike always full of energy. And always love it.

Yes! Absolutely! Take us to all the Cali drum shops! It's one thing to follow them on instagram and try not to have a stroke watching the vintage gear they throw on their feed everyday but to get the depth of walking through the door and really seeing how their shop is setup, that would be great

Dude your vibe is infectious

Yes, please let the set search begin!

Ummm, OK, spill the beans on that fill!!!!! NICE!

Absalutely marvelous I love it I'm not shaby quick single style bass drum but boy that gives me more to see what im missing out on with those nice fills

🥴Man I thought you might’ve been under the influence of something until I remembered my video playback speed was on .75x💀 Dude you are sick with it, especially in normal playback speed😂 Thanks for the lesson!🤘

I have to say, I love the way you teach. Thanks for sharing your awesome knowledge

That opening fill🤯

I love the way you teach. Thanks Mike!

BEST DRUM CHANNEL EVER.

I love your teachings Mike! Thanks!!

Mike!!!!! I stopped drumming 10 years ago and I used to watch your videos And now that I can play again, it is nice to see you making these videos. Your way of teaching is admirable Thanks for all your knowledge and good stuff I'll be waiting for your cool drum and bass videos they are amazing too

Mike you best teacher in my life because your energy is very cool and important for me . Mike you best!

I could never get tired of hearing you improvise 🔥

Cheers mate....not only what you teach is gold, but you are a great teacher...

Thank you so much for this, you’re an amazing human being

Love it ! ❤️

Generally, your flow is like Weckliweckl man! Flows like a singing spring of fresh mountain water down the valley of musical tastiness 👌

Great stuff! I like it because it's not too hard, sounds really cool, and is potentially useful!

Juno is AWESOME!

These kind of grooves speak to my soul. So fun!

and figuring out your fills, like at 6:28 ,is so much fun!

Hey mike! Yep. We wanna see the vlog... but only if Juno gets to sit in the front seat for the drive!

That's an Educator right thurr! Even kids would love to see that smiling teacher and always with humor makin Advance lessons fun and always get you on the Jive! Thanks Mike. Ain't Mike really good ey Juno? 👌 (Lol love that canine!)

I've been watching your lessons for the past 2 years or so , and for real , if you were teaching diy slime recipes , my involvement wouldn't change a bit. You look and teach like a overall good person , love your content. Keep groovin'

" I can't stop playing it" that's because it is syncopated, when it's syncopated it plays itself. I really like the added funk component, that adds a twist. Can you show how to play just the syncopated part. Thanks for the nice and short lesson.

Bringin that second snare drum at the outro like a boss - great lesson Mike

On a different note: Mike, although I've never taken an actual lesson from you or been to camp (I live in Germany and these are crazy times) I am still an avid follower of your work. I got introduced to you via the MD podcast (RIP, or maybe not?) and started following on the various channels. Through your various discussions with Mike Dawson and now Eddy Thrower (YAY, new podcast!) I have gotten a glimpse inside the mind of what I believe to not only a great educator but also a true connaisseur of the drumset. My point, however, is this: I think it is great how honest your presence on media like YT or IG is ... it's the little things, like telling people: "I may have made a video on this, but I've never ever used it in real life", that I appreciate. Because it enables us, as your audience and/or students, to separate pure entertainment from educational content. And I do think you found a very good middle ground between the two in many of your YT videos. They do what I assume they set out do: reel people in and get them hooked on your method. Certainly did it for me, I'll have a mikeslessons.com subscription for my upcoming birthday! Also: the Groove Scribe is THE SHIZZLE! Thanks for updating it constantly!

Thanks for your lessons Mike! Your attitude and approach on drums are amazing

I once spent 2 years every day practicing these type of funk grooves and it was total bliss during every session. Unfortunately now I don't have a kit, or space, or money for one. I hope to return to those grand times again.

Awesome groove! And please take us on the vintage gear hunt!!!

I love this kind of groove lesson! Thanks Mike for yet another awesome groove for me to spend two weeks or more working on. The best thing about these kinds of grooves is the sticking patterns are simple and easy to get down quickly, But getting the feel right is where the work comes in.

We gonna love the vlog style

very ingenious and the good mood definitely shows in the groove!!!

Your lessons never dissapoint 😌

Drum shopping video...”HELL to the YES”! There’s not a video u post that we wouldn’t all love

Excellent information and video. A really usable groove,thankyou..

Dude your dog is legendary.

Always inspiring Mike. Would love to shop with you for vintage drums. I'm 73 so I'm vintage already.

Yeah! Vlog style vids would be great! I love watching those kinds of videos coz there arent any vintage drums here in the Philippines. I just like having a look at other drums out there. Thanks man. And thanks for the free groove lessons!

100% volg out! i get so excited for your new vids and even listening to you hunting and talking about vintage gear would be wild. please do it. big love

Vlog content of drum searching = yessss!

Yasss, Mike and David Cola my fave youtube drummers

Great idea and very well explained as well, Thanks!

Your drums look so "dapper"🤩🤩. You made the lesson look so simple

I love your drum set

Yes to the vlogs looking for vintage drums. 👍

Awesome groove 😎. I’d definitely tune in for those vlog type videos; they sound cool. I love Juneau.

Hell yes to the vlogs

Yes! What could be more fun than questing for vintage drum?

Great lesson, and the dog seals the deal. As I improve, I see the spaces more and things that seemed fast before, don’t seem as quick now ( if that makes sense). Good example, Kickstart My Heart isn’t fast to play anymore. Me likey!! Thanks Mike.

I love your videos man! You articulate your lessons really well which helps me to learn these lessons easier! You also inspire me to learn a lot of grooves and expand my repertoire!

Great as always Mike. Best wishes

New follower here after learning about you from Lisa and Karen at a women's drum clinic in Tulsa a couple yrs ago. Enjoying everything..podcasts especially! Love this funk groove; I'm a beginner (still and maybe forever?) but glad you broke it down and will attempt s l o w l y and surely to get this one. Yes on the vlog!

Awesome! Love your videos for the great drumming content, of course, but also for the inspiring positive energy. I watch them and I immediately feel the urge to practice and become a better drummer. Thank you, thank you, thank you! And yes to vlogs in search of vintage drums and a big "hell, yeah, why not?" to more Juno on the channel. 😀 Peace!

Love the groove, and love the way you teach!

Haha "I can't stop playing that groove"...what a dude!

Heavenly groove!

This Dog is so cute🥰🥰 great Video mike

Yes ! Let's go shopping !

Thanks for your work!!! Regards from Spain!

Mike! You should educate teachers on how to teach! And yes. Amazing lesson. Very my kinda groove! Love it. 😁

Dude, I’d watch a video of you shopping for groceries! Keep it up brother!

Perfectly presented lesson as usual, man👊🏻 I’m also loving the look of your videos. Not sure if it’s your grade or perhaps a promist filter, but whatever you’re doing, it’s looking nice! Last note: Could we all see a video of you and Eddy Thrower maybe trading 4’s, jamming out, or shoot...just have a bomb conversation like the podcast showcases?! I’m sure a lot of people would love to see the that content in visual form🥁

Lovely and simply superb 👌 💕

Awesome drum lesson!

We definitely want to watch these vlogs!!

Dude.....love the vlog idea.... seriously would be awesome 👌

Mike, love the channel and your great positive attitude. A vlog you were describing sounds great in addition.

Do I want to know how Mike 'Vintage Drums' Johnston shops for vintage drums? HELL YEAH!!!

Take us on your journey for your search, for you vintage drums. I really enjoy watching your technique and ghosting of a grove. The one thing that I think would make your video's even better, is the mic you are wearing. Turn that up in the mix when editing.. Keep those vids coming!

Nice groove and that brief fill at 6:46 was awesome❤️

Great instruction style and presentation! And of course, nice funk groove!

Such a great lesson! Thank you for the inspiration!

Definitely, let’s hit the road in search of vintage treasure. And bring Juno too!

Great groove! Nice dog too. I miss hearing you and Dawson crack up.

Yes, yes, yes. Would love to see the drum search.