I've been working through David Overthrows book, "Beginning Bass For Adults." Great book and I learned alot but the last chapter deals with funk. I don't listen to funk nor have I ever. I don't feel the urge. My question is, if I take what's there and work on it, will it help me anywhere down the line? I don't plan on playing funk or listening to it and I'm not interested in it. Has anyone not liked it but had a use for it? I guess it works the same for rock, jazz, country, etc.

Nurse, NURSE!!!! Get the crash cart this man has no Soul!

Nurse, NURSE!!!! Get the crash cart this man has no Soul!

:D I'm not knocking you funksters Doc, I just want to know if somewhere down the road I'll need to get my funk on in a band setting. I just want it known, I'm knocking any genre here. Just questioning.

Knowing how to do something convincing in every style is a part of being a 'well-dressed' bass player. I don't listen to country music, but I have played in country bands and I know what I need to do on bass for that music.

I'm wondering if the number of styles a player knows is in direct proportion to his/her bank account?

You need to know as many different style as possible. That in itself makes you a better bassist. You don't have to be a master at them but you need to be able to pull off a few tunes in that a given style should they come up.

:D I'm not knocking you funksters Doc, I just want to know if somewhere down the road I'll need to get my funk on in a band setting. I just want it known, I'm knocking any genre here. Just questioning.

Just having some fun. The every form of music has something to learn for it. Funk is going to teach you about playing with a good groove and ALL music must groove. If that is all you get out of Funk you will have benefited. But there are good lines and technique that you could throw into other styles to add some spice.

Many times when hear some player doing something "new" they are throwing in something from another style of music.

+ 1 for DocBop (a consistently insightful poster I might add)!

I am not a big fan of most country music but I have learned a lot from understanding the history, construction, melodic approaches etc., and by listening to the very fine musicians that play that type of music best. It is not so much whether it is something you care to play or listen to and more whether or not there is something to learn and apply to your own choice of music. So even if you don't care for or play funk, I am positive there is something you can learn and apply to your music that will make it worth at least understanding the musical underpining that is the funk form.

Spin

+1 to DocBop's post.

The timing, which is a very essential part of every groove, gets better when you understand and can play some funk. By timing I mean also to have full control of the lengths of the notes, not just the starts of them.

I use a lot of funk ingredients in my playing in at least pop, soul, rock, jazz and reggae music. I should also add that I play very little "pure" funk, but I still find a lot of use for funky lines and fills.

What styles of music do you play or are interested in, crikker?

You think about it, or rather have a listen, a lot of 70's rock has a lil Funk injection. Hell man "Freedom" by Jimi Hendrix is super-funky! Seems that way to me. Then of course there is the Funk-Rock of RHCP. But I don't see why you should have to learn a style you have absolutely no interest in. You may want to learn how to slap 'n pop though.

BTW you should know that Funky bass lines are like an aphrodisiac (afrodisiac?). A lot of babies are made after Funk concerts. Old school viagra.

I have to agree with 30hrz on this. I have six kids and all were conceived during my P-Funk period.

Spin

Knowing how to do something convincing in every style is a part of being a 'well-dressed' bass player. I don't listen to country music, but I have played in country bands and I know what I need to do on bass for that music.

I'm wondering if the number of styles a player knows is in direct proportion to his/her bank account?

Count on it!

If you want to make a living or a reliable supplemental income then working in different situations is usually key. Knowing something about all styles will go a long way to getting you to this goal. Or maybe think about it this way. If you learn the funk licks note for note you can always sanitize them by changing the rhythm and note values and use the phrases in other music.

Thanks for the replies folks. I've been away from the computer for the last couple days and it's, as always, interesting to read the replies here. Lots of good points and some things for me to think about and maybe work on. Thanks again.