Tower Of Power – You Got To Funkifize

You Got To Funkifize drum sheet music – a note-for-note accurate transcription of David Garibaldi’s drum part on Tower Of Power’s “You Got To Funkifize”, from the album Bump City (1972). Every ghost note, open hi-hat and syncopated kick is on the page, in a clean, print-ready PDF.

About You Got To Funkifize drum sheet music

“You Got To Funkifize” comes from Bump City, Tower Of Power’s 1972 album and the first with David Garibaldi on drums. The Oakland horn band became one of the defining funk groups of the decade, and Garibaldi’s playing on these records is still studied by drummers all over the world.

This is classic Garibaldi: intricate, syncopated grooves full of ghost notes, open hi-hat accents and linear patterns where the hands and feet interlock rather than play together. It sounds effortless on the record, but every note has its place. Learning it note-for-note is one of the best ways to understand how funk drumming really works – and to develop the control and independence it needs.

A drum transcription taken from the original recording

Every bar of this You Got To Funkifize drum transcription comes from the original recording. Instead of an approximate groove with a couple of fills, you get the whole drum part – so if you need You Got To Funkifize drum notes that sound like the record when you play them, this is the version to use.

The sheet music is professionally engraved and easy to read on a music stand or on a tablet. Each part of the song is clearly labelled, and repeats with first- and second-time endings keep the layout compact, so you spend less time turning pages and more time playing.

Song facts

• Artist: Tower Of Power
• Album: Bump City (1972)
• Drummer: David Garibaldi
• Tempo: ♩ ≈ 90
• Style: funk

What you get

Your You Got To Funkifize drum sheet music download includes:

• The full song, transcribed note-for-note from the original recording
• Clearly labelled song sections
• Professionally engraved, print-ready PDF
• Instant download after purchase

How to practise You Got To Funkifize on drums

Here is a practice plan that works well for You Got To Funkifize:

1. Listen and read along. Follow the groove on the page and hear how the ghost notes and accents fit together.
2. Slow it right down. Start at around 60–70 bpm and build up to ♩ ≈ 90 only when every note is even.
3. Separate the layers. Practise the hand pattern alone, then add the kick, then the ghost notes.
4. Watch your dynamics. The ghost notes must be really quiet and the accents strong – that contrast is the funk.
5. Loop one bar at a time. Garibaldi’s grooves change subtly; master each variation before moving on.
6. Play along with the record. Lock in with the bass and horns and listen for the pocket.

Why note-for-note sheet music?

Learning You Got To Funkifize by ear or from a free tab usually means guessing the details – which fill goes where, what the hi-hat is doing, how a section ends. Accurate sheet music takes the guesswork out: the rhythms are exact, the song structure is clear, and you can focus on playing instead of decoding.

Who is this sheet music for?

You Got To Funkifize drum sheet music is for intermediate to advanced drummers who want to get serious about funk. Teachers can use it to teach ghost notes, linear playing and independence, and it is essential reading for anyone who loves the Tower Of Power sound.

About David Garibaldi

David Garibaldi joined Tower Of Power in 1970 and played on their classic albums Bump City, Tower of Power and Back to Oakland. His linear, highly syncopated style made him one of the most influential funk drummers ever, and his book Future Sounds is a standard text for drummers studying funk.

More Tower Of Power drum sheet music

Want more than one song? The Funk & Groove Drum Sheet Music Collection includes You Got To Funkifize together with other songs, at a lower price than buying them one by one. This is currently the only Tower Of Power song in the store – the Tower Of Power drum sheet music page will list new ones as they are added. In the meantime, browse the full drum sheet music store – funk fans should also look at the jazz and funk transcriptions in the store.

Frequently asked questions

Is it the complete You Got To Funkifize drum part?

Yes. The whole song is transcribed note-for-note from the record, including every fill, as heard on Bump City.

Is You Got To Funkifize drum sheet music a tab or real notation?

It is real drum notation on a five-line staff, the standard way drum parts are written. If you are used to tabs, it is worth the switch – notation shows the rhythm exactly, which tabs can’t.

How is the sheet music delivered?

As a PDF download. The link shows up as soon as you complete checkout and is emailed to you as well.

Is You Got To Funkifize hard to play?

Yes – it is an advanced funk groove. The tempo is moderate, but the ghost notes, syncopation and independence take time to master, so go slowly and build it up.

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