I am also in the school of Yes.
contrary to what I see as a lot of people (on this form anyhow) that seem to think it is some innate ability. and it cannot be taught, or explained. To me this discredits my hard work and I essentially I view it as a cop out..(because they cannot explain it, or know someone who they base this claim off of. 'John/Jane Doe cant groove, so s/he cant be taught, and will never learn it' kind of thinking..I digress)
I say it is teachable, because I learned it. and I did not create it from thin air. there is no "magic wand of Groove" that was waived at me. I did not pick up a Bass and say "Ima groove this thing" and proceed to lay down some serious Funk/Groove sessions. as I said in a thread of a similar nature, my folks are not musical and do not play instruments, or sing well for that matter. But I listen to a S***-ton of music, and many different styles as well.
I worked for it. It was fun, so that always helps. but I put in the work I felt is necessary for the foundation. and when I played in the cover band I grew as a Bassist even though I didn't really understand music. that is the great part of music is a lot of ways. one can sound incredible and not really know much about music in general aside from having the ability to time out notes on the fret board in rhythm. good enough to emulate music.
it takes time to internalize, so yes I had to put the work in. but my "Teachers" were not in a class lecturing me on how to 'groove'. my "Teachers" were tons of Columbia House and BMG compact disks and mix tapes/disks that I collected over the years.
the people/groups/bands/styles of music one is influenced by, indirectly, are the Teachers of Groove, at least that is how I see it based off of my experience with music.
