Help me figure that sound out

[Mixmasta J]

Hi all, I haven't posted in a while, but I am in need of some assistance.

Along with my upright jazz transcription, I have been looking into certain licks and patterns of funk/jazz electric bassists such as Stanley Clarke, Vic Wooten, and Marcus Miller. I also have recently come across that BP Live video with Tal Wilkenfeld, and it got me thinking.

I hear this common tonality or scale that they use in their solos and licks that is quite funky, but I cannot figure out what they are using for the life of me. Every time I slow the licks down I can play them, but I just don't understand the scale or mode they are derived from. It sounds like something that is used a lot in funk and r&b, and it gives all of their melodic runs and fills that type of quality.

No matter how much I transcribe and listen, I can't seem to figure it out, and I would like to add it to my arsenal of scales and patterns. I'm not sure if anyone will understand my post, but if you think you might have some help, I am all ears.


Thank You in Advance


- Joe

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Not sure about what you're looking for, but the most "funky" scale I can think of right now is the minor pentatonic, which has been used and abused in rock and funk tunes, specially in the key of E ( E - G - A - B - D ). Something like this, for instance...



...should be second nature for any funk player. The fast run at 1:15 in this video is another cool example.

Hope this helps.