Country Funk Fusion ????? anyone

[Rev J]

+1 on the ARU.

This might be something special that you want to develop on your own while only looking to other instruments than bass to figure out how to do.

I realized a few years ago how similar Funk and Bluegrass are though you have to reassign instruments. If you listen to Bluegrass Banjo it is similar to Funk Bass. If you listen to the Mandolin it is very similar to Jimmy Nolan's "Scratch" rhythm guitar on James Brown records.

So there is one off bass instrument to draw inspiration from. Look at a book of Banjo Rolls and adapt their thumb and finger patterns to your slap technique. The actual left hand stuff might be a bit difficult as there are tuning differences between Banjo and Bass.

Then there are fingerstyle/hybrid picking country guitarists like Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Johnny Hiland, and Danny Gatton. In Roy Vogts "Getting the Most Out of Your 5 String Bass" video he does a slap example inspired by Jerry Reed. Johnny Hiland is also fascinating because his approach is like Danny Gatton meets Eddie Van Halen. From a bass/rhythm section perspective it's kind of cool because Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey play on his first album. He also has a fingerpicking country guitar instructional video out that you can probably cop some stuff from.

Then there are rock guitarists like Jimmy Herring (aformentioned ARU) and Zack Wylde who use alot of country techniques and licks in their playing.

Now after you go through learning all of that sit down with a drum machine at first (or a real drummer) and have them/it play a funk groove and play all of those country guitar/ banjo things that you just learned and feel how you have to change your feel/phrasing slightly to make it work. Then you will be well on your way.

C/S,
Rev J

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by Nashrakh

Hmmm... Dixie Dregs? Gotta give them a listen again but they came to mind for a wild mixture of genres across the board...

Yes! You beat me to it.

Dixie Dregs and Steve Morse Band have been doing this (and a few other things) for decades.

[bubinga5]

two words.. Ben Harper..

[phillybass101]

This is easy. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones. or is there a C in there at all?

[hennessybass]

My Guitar player has his own project that does Country Funk... they call it Funky-tonk.

Check out Waylon. This is pure Disco!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhp9to0hMNM

Or Marshal Tucker - country funk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHq87F2fS-s

[loogy1]

[quote=Kwesi;13932827]Slap ≠ funk. This is soooo not funky.

dissagree at the 50 sec mark where he breaks it down its country with a funky slap style that's what i had in mind

like the stuff you posted but i feel it leans more toward jazzy bluesy stuff

[loogy1]

Originally Posted by jaywa

Not sure if this is what you had in mind but may I recommend:

www.galacticcowboyorchestra.com

"The Blaze" may float your boat. Its on Youtube.

I've seen em a few times and they kill. Great folks too... Very fan friendly. Their bassist is a great player and a good guy. I'm talking these guys up to whoever I can.

nice +1

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by loogy1

dissagree at the 50 sec mark where he breaks it down its country with a funky slap style that's what i had in mind

like the stuff you posted but i feel it leans more toward jazzy bluesy stuff

I'm gonna sound snobby as hell right now but that wasn't an opinion that I posted earlier. That's straight up not funky. Glad someone pointed you to what you're looking for but it's just not funky. Again, slap ≠ funk. You can find them separate now more than ever.

[loogy1]

revj +1

[loogy1]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'm gonna sound snobby as hell right now but that wasn't an opinion that I posted earlier. That's straight up not funky. Glad someone pointed you to what you're looking for but it's just not funky. Again, slap ≠ funk. You can find them separate now more than ever.

kwesi the **** you posted wasnt all that funky. at least the parts i listened to before i started skippin through the songs (so ill go back and give em a good listen) but i still disagree. the melody he was playin was 100% country but his slap technique was funky as ****. if he through a few mutes here n there maybe slow it down then you'd be in total funk town

[loogy1]

Originally Posted by hennessybass

My Guitar player has his own project that does Country Funk... they call it Funky-tonk.

Check out Waylon. This is pure Disco!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhp9to0hMNM

Or Marshal Tucker - country funk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHq87F2fS-s

tottally see the marshal tucker one


p.s. sorry everyone if i'm posting too much with the +1s and wutev but im new to the thread postin and thanks every one for the input it's all gold

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by loogy1

kwesi the **** you posted wasnt all that funky. at least the parts i listened to before i started skippin through the songs (so ill go back and give em a good listen) but i still disagree. the melody he was playin was 100% country but his slap technique was funky as ****. if he through a few mutes here n there maybe slow it down then you'd be in total funk town

Nope, sorry. you're just gonna have to agree to be wrong on this one .

[phillybass101]

Funky music is ok but not my cup of tea either. I've said this before there is a vast difference between Funk and Funky. If you can't understand it I'll put it like this. The difference between Funk and Funky is like the difference between Sex and Sexy. for anyone who is experienced, you'll know exactly what I mean. Two totally different things going on there. Since I am more into Funk, It's hard for me to debate someone' else's opinion about what is funky or not since it's still somewhat subjective. But using my acid test described there would be no denying FUNK. You can look at it, feel it, smell it taste it etc. Y'all get the drift. I actually like some pop/country tunes. I can't stop humming the song by Kid Rock and what's her face. You been gone for 7 Got damn days, I put your picture away!!!!

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Rev J

+1 on the ARU.

This might be something special that you want to develop on your own while only looking to other instruments than bass to figure out how to do.

I realized a few years ago how similar Funk and Bluegrass are though you have to reassign instruments. If you listen to Bluegrass Banjo it is similar to Funk Bass. If you listen to the Mandolin it is very similar to Jimmy Nolan's "Scratch" rhythm guitar on James Brown records.

So there is one off bass instrument to draw inspiration from. Look at a book of Banjo Rolls and adapt their thumb and finger patterns to your slap technique. The actual left hand stuff might be a bit difficult as there are tuning differences between Banjo and Bass.

Nice post...all of it makes good sense.

I selected the above because (IIRC) in the '80s Wooten was playing in a Busch Gardens Bluegrass band...he took the banjo rolls, etc & adapted those to the bass. Combine that with drummer flams, etc...and some Stanley Clarke ("Lopsy Lu", etc) & you're on your way.

[zfunkman]

Check out the Night of the Living Dregs by the Dixie Dregs.

[JimmyM]

Old 70's-80's disco turned country band called Exile.