Digging in and some funky help

[Kevin.Kevin]

Hey everyone

I'm feeling a bit "uninspired" recently. In my gigs with an RnB band I just feel like my lines arn't digging in as much, or im sticking to a kinda pentatonic/roots 5ths & b7s kinda thing. Sometimes the band is playing the tune almost as arranged (ain't nothing like the real thing for instance i play the line almost note for note), but when it comes to something a little funkier (pass the peas) I just feel like im falling a bit short on the groove side. Maybe its the jazz nerd in me getting bored, maybe not.

So anyone got help on how to work on digging in, and maybe some funky guys to check out for inspiration. Alot of this I know is just listening to the greats, but if you have any excersise that helped you out in a simlar situation Id love to hear em.

Thanks

[drden]

I would just recommend learning alot of funk songs. When I get in ruts like this, I look up more songs and play the "good" bass players' lines. I find that gives me a good bit of inspiration.

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by Kevin.Kevin

Maybe its the jazz nerd in me getting bored, maybe not.
Thanks

When I noticed I was comfortable enough with a piece to get 'bored', I made a deliberate effort to start listening to the rest of the band more carefully (especially the drummer, and especially the snare) I'd ask my self "Is there something I can do with my phrasing,passing tones, or empty spaces that will make a better frame for what the others are doing?"

the classic R&B example is to stop your notes the instant before the snare hits on 2&4...does wonders for tightening the groove.

but the same idea can apply to other parts as well.