Second Line Drumming

What is Second Line?
Have you ever been asked to play a "second line" beat on a particular song? I know I have. Usually I cringe and realize that, although I basically think it involves a marching style on the snare drum, I really don't have a clue as to what to play. Luckily my experience and musicality got me by for many years. I learned how to fake things "very" well. :)

Well, I asked around a bit and was surprised to learn that the history of second line is a bit cloudy. Nobody can seem to agree on how it evolved. I heard stories about there being a line of musicians and staff that marched behind the mourners (second line) at a funeral parade in New Orleans. Apparently the musicians would play funeral marches on the way to the funeral and more livelier pieces on the return home. Some would say that it's a secondary rhythm section (second line) that answers the calls of a "first-line" rhythm section in a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. The first line would play a rhythm and the "second line" would respond to it. Others will tell you that it's just something that comes from New Orleans music and involves a marching snare rhythm. They'll admit that they don't know where it comes from but they're quick to show you an example of how they think it's played.

Depending on who you ask, you're sure to get some very interesting answers. I think the most important thing is; What are we supposed to play when someone asks us to play a "second-line" rhythm or a second line funk beat? From a little research, here's what I've learned so far about second line drumming:

#1: Second line drumming is associated with the city of New Orleans. It seems to have originated there and developed in many forms through the years.

#2: Second line drumming involves simple cadence type (marching) snare beats.

#3: Drummers like Zigaboo Modeliste and Johnny Vidacovich mixed second line with syncopated funk, developing a style called "second-line funk drumming". This style was popularized in many famous bands that came from New Orleans like the Meters (see below).

#4: Second line drumming often involves a 3/2 son clave not dissimilar to the Bo Diddley beat although it doesn't necessarily always follow that rule. Listen to this variation --> http://www.zigaboo.com/media/zig_me.mp3

#5: Second line beats are also called "Street Beats".