Fingerstyle Funk

uturnbass · #1 03-02-2007, 12:14 AM

I've been having trouble getting "fingerstyle" funk type playing down. Mostly playing dead notes, and when/where they should be placed, and also making a funky groove.

So any tips/hints?

Also, if you could, name some songs with some good fingerstlye funk for me to practice working on! When I hear funk, it's mostly slap.
Thanks!

Sarbecue Boss · #2 03-02-2007, 09:22 AM

Check out tower of power's rocco prestia
killer 16th note fingerstyle grooves

markjazzbassist · #3 03-02-2007, 11:27 AM

the search function is your friend. this has been covered many times.

stealth51 · #4 03-02-2007, 01:51 PM

Just keep playing and one day the funk will hit you

bburk · #5 03-02-2007, 02:00 PM

I recommend these books by Anthony Vitti.

http://www.anthonyvitti.com/fingerfunk2.html

Some really nice grooves in there...

Stewmc5222 · #6 03-02-2007, 07:03 PM

it's also worth noting that Jaco was a killin' funk player. most people key in on his chops but when I saw him he was playing pocket (freakishly DEEP pocket!) for 90% of the time.

another fingerstyle player to check out is Paul Jackson. his playing on the first 2 Headhunters albums is gold!

never overlook James Jamerson's contributions to finger funk, either. if you can find the Gladys Knight & The Pips version of "Heard It Through The Grapevine" you will not be disappointed!

finally Anthony Jackson's funk sessions (notably the work with Chaka Khan) kill. there's a reason he has the reputation as a player he enjoys today!

Stew

DocBop · #7 03-02-2007, 08:08 PM

Get playing straight sixteeenths down first then take on some songs. Use a metronome and just play sixteenths and focus on right hand and alternate fingers. If you are playing good time and alternating One will alway be your index finger. Then like Rocco from T.O.P. get your muting going using the third and fourth fingers of left hand lightly resting on the string. Now for the real work play only the first sixteenth of each measure and ghost the rest. Focus on getting the note and ghost notes even. Now try doing octaves, with note on beat 1 and 3 and octave on 2 and 4. Get all together in good time and tone and metronome up to around 110. Now it's Rocco time and some Jaco and Alain Caron.

Stewmc5222 · #8 03-02-2007, 09:01 PM

and Gary Willis!

uturnbass · #9 03-02-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewmc5222

it's also worth noting that Jaco was a killin' funk player. most people key in on his chops but when I saw him he was playing pocket (freakishly DEEP pocket!) for 90% of the time.

another fingerstyle player to check out is Paul Jackson. his playing on the first 2 Headhunters albums is gold!

never overlook James Jamerson's contributions to finger funk, either. if you can find the Gladys Knight & The Pips version of "Heard It Through The Grapevine" you will not be disappointed!

finally Anthony Jackson's funk sessions (notably the work with Chaka Khan) kill. there's a reason he has the reputation as a player he enjoys today!

Stew

What do you mean by pocket? Just keeping his hand in one position? Thats what I think you mean...

Thanks for the info I'll gladly check those guys out!

Bburk, I'll deff check that book out, thanks!

mrniceguy715 · #10 03-02-2007, 10:41 PM

i bought the funk book from bass builders cause it was cheap on amazon and it had some very good exercises on finger style and slap

Stewmc5222 · #11 03-02-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uturnbass

What do you mean by pocket? Just keeping his hand in one position? Thats what I think you mean...

Thanks for the info I'll gladly check those guys out!

Bburk, I'll deff check that book out, thanks!

pocket is just another way of saying groove. some people use it to refer to the bass and drum lock, too.

slackerdefined · #12 03-03-2007, 10:54 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6x--c9SZak

**jumbosilverette** · #13 03-03-2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uturnbass

What do you mean by pocket? Just keeping his hand in one position? Thats what I think you mean...

Thanks for the info I'll gladly check those guys out!

Bburk, I'll deff check that book out, thanks!

No. Pocket is synch, it's locking in on the groove. Don't forget Paul Jackson, monster player.

bburk · #14 03-03-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slackerdefined

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6x--c9SZak

I think the main thing to learn from Rocco is that it's essential to first work on your funk voice. Practice with me, talk REALLY low with an extremely laid back drawl. That's it, just let the words kind of spill out of your mouth and the funk drool down on to the bass. Relaxed now? Good. Time for funk.

Dr_Funkdamental · #15 03-03-2007, 05:35 PM

Actually try listening to/transcribing some Parliment (Mothership Connection is a good one or just the greatest hits joint). Thats a great example of space in fingerstyle funk. I know P funk is kind of a different style than some others, but thats where I got ALOT of the groove and greasiness that shows in my playing. I think I listened to too much cause even when Im playing gospel, you can still hear Parliment in my style lol.

DocBop · #16 03-03-2007, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr_Funkdamental

Actually try listening to/transcribing some Parliment (Mothership Connection is a good one or just the greatest hits joint). Thats a great example of space in fingerstyle funk. I know P funk is kind of a different style than some others, but thats where I got ALOT of the groove and greasiness that shows in my playing. I think I listened to too much cause even when Im playing gospel, you can still hear Parliment in my style lol.

+1 The Mothership has Landed!!!

mattblissett · #17 03-04-2007, 11:44 AM

I love that album, the bass is so greasy!

Joe Garage · #18 03-05-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sarbecue Boss

Check out tower of power's rocco prestia
killer 16th note fingerstyle grooves

Shame that its not out on DVD:-(

Stupid Jerk · #19 03-05-2007, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stewmc5222

some people use it to refer to the bass and drum lock, too.

Ohhhhhhhhhh... that's what I'd been guessing all this time, but was too afraid to ask.

So now that that can's been opened... what does everyone mean when they say "groove?" I asked a working pro once and he smirked at me and said "If you don't already know, then there's no way I can explain!" And I was thinking, "yeah, thanks a lot pal... that really helps."

bburk · #20 03-05-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stupid Jerk

Ohhhhhhhhhh... that's what I'd been guessing all this time, but was too afraid to ask.

So now that that can's been opened... what does everyone mean when they say "groove?" I asked a working pro once and he smirked at me and said "If you don't already know, then there's no way I can explain!" And I was thinking, "yeah, thanks a lot pal... that really helps."

Sadly, I'd probably give you the same advice. Pocket... groove... these are all very personal, subjective terms and they mean different things to different people.

All I can tell you is, keep playing. One day it will just happen, and you will never forget. Then you will spend the rest of your life trying to figure out how to do it on command.