I need a new lick

[kjizzel]

I am into funk(old school) and I believe I have hit a plateau as far as licks.. can anyone hook me up?

[MalcolmAmos]

http://lickoftheday.blogspot.com/200...bass-lick.html

[anonymous02282011]

one that won't make you sick

make you talk too much ..

or make you feel three fit thick

[tsunami1052]

http://playbassnow.com/

[dtiii]

Playbassnow will keep you busy for sure. There is no shortage of ideas there.

I noticed some discrepancies on the lickoftheday site. The notated rhythm is not what is being played in the vid clip, the second measure of notation doesn't add up, and the lick is not based on minor pentatonic - it's based on a dominant structure. It's important to do a check on what we find online or anywhere, not just take it for granted that it's correct.

[kr0n]

Wow... I gotta study this site some more...

[pacojas]

Originally Posted by kjizzel

I am into funk(old school) and I believe I have hit a plateau as far as licks.. can anyone hook me up?

ROTFL!!! i sorry, but.... you made my day!!!

(we all been there)

[Lesfunk]

Ask Rudy Sarzo. He licks his bass

[Chef FourString]

Originally Posted by kjizzel

I am into funk(old school) and I believe I have hit a plateau as far as licks.. can anyone hook me up?

Stop playing funk for a while. Find another style to learn and when you feel you have become proficient with the new style use that to help influence your writing habits. Find an alternate "change of scenery" for a while.

A creamy rif can change the world. Good luck with you writing. Hope I could help.

[Stumbo]

You mean a bass lick?

[monroe55]

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

Ask Rudy Sarzo. He licks his bass

ROFL. That's frikin funny dude.
I saw Rudy on that vh1 rock band show. He appears to have been a kickazs player judging by some older clips of him on youtube, but I was grossed out by how he does that thing where he licks his plucking fingers while he plays. Is that really necessary??? The hands get greasy enough on their own naturally. Maybe if he stopped licking them and let some sweaty-grease aquire he'd solve the issue.

[cardboardJoe]

Can I have your old one?

[puddin tame]

make your own licks!!

you know what they say, give a man a fish...

[bopland]

It could also be a good idea to transcribe a couple of licks from the records you like. It can take some time but it will definitely be rewarded. I for one can play almost every lick I have transcribed anytime. The more time you spend for transcriptions the more confident you will be while playing the tunes.

[Russell L]

Well, if you like funk, then it ain't about the lick as much as it's about feeling the groove. I often play simple licks when practicing by myself just so I can get into the groove. Once I get there everything feels right. Every little nuance of my playing comes to focus. I am balanced and feel every rhythm, even the little muffles and passing notes come to life. There is a momentum in there that takes me with it. Ya'll know what I mean, and you must know it's hard to describe. Actually, I discovered the grrove long ago when I was mostly a guitar player. It goes back to the '60s and '70s for me, especially when funk got popular. How many nights I played rhythm, muffling the strings and working a wah wah (like playing Shaft). Six nights a week on stage for a couple of years my right hand got a workout.

I've been a working bass player for 24 years now and I'm still enjoying working on the groove. But I play finger style and it has been interesting to find the same feel as when strumming. I don't play slap. For a long time I didn't play much at home by myself, but for some time now I enjoy it. I don't even need a drum machine to "groove" by myself. It's all about being a rhythm instrument. And when I play with the band we are a rhythm section as an art form in itself. No one has to solo to be a part of "one nation under groove."

So, if you need a new lick, relax, and just work on being in the groove instead. Or find new ways to feel the groove. That's what I did. And guess what? I discovered new licks naturally as they came to me. I guess it's like a golf swing---you can't MAKE it happen, you have to LET it happen. I love to find a lick and repeat it over and over until the groove begins to seep into my fingers, then my hand, up my arm and shoulder, and through my whole body.

Sorry to be so deep and vague. Just a thought.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Well, if you like funk, then it ain't about the lick as much as it's about feeling the groove. I often play simple licks when practicing by myself just so I can get into the groove. Once I get there everything feels right. Every little nuance of my playing comes to focus. I am balanced and feel every rhythm, even the little muffles and passing notes come to life. There is a momentum in there that takes me with it. Ya'll know what I mean, and you must know it's hard to describe. Actually, I discovered the grrove long ago when I was mostly a guitar player. It goes back to the '60s and '70s for me, especially when funk got popular. How many nights I played rhythm, muffling the strings and working a wah wah (like playing Shaft). Six nights a week on stage for a couple of years my right hand got a workout.

I've been a working bass player for 24 years now and I'm still enjoying working on the groove. But I play finger style and it has been interesting to find the same feel as when strumming. I don't play slap. For a long time I didn't play much at home by myself, but for some time now I enjoy it. I don't even need a drum machine to "groove" by myself. It's all about being a rhythm instrument. And when I play with the band we are a rhythm section as an art form in itself. No one has to solo to be a part of "one nation under groove."

So, if you need a new lick, relax, and just work on being in the groove instead. Or find new ways to feel the groove. That's what I did. And guess what? I discovered new licks naturally as they came to me. I guess it's like a golf swing---you can't MAKE it happen, you have to LET it happen. I love to find a lick and repeat it over and over until the groove begins to seep into my fingers, then my hand, up my arm and shoulder, and through my whole body.

Sorry to be so deep and vague. Just a thought.

Very good post.

[Russell L]

Thanks, Chris. It's hard to describe this stuff. ya know, I was just thinking that even the groove doesn't work if you don't have good articulation. But getting in the groove and riding it for awhile until you get warmed up will also bring on good articulation. One other point is when playing live, or recording, don't play licks that you can't. Instead, put good articulation to work on things that you do well. That way you will say more. I learned long ago that's it's better to say something slow with good articulation than trying to play fast with too many notes, especially if you're not good at it. My hat's off to those who can do that, though, and still say it well. Heh, I'm just not one of them. Play within your ability when out playing, improve your abilities at home practicing. But, for me, I find that I do best at practice by just playing. If I find a new lick, then I have to play it overe and over until I can articulate it well. Only then will I let it be heard on a gig.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Thanks, Chris. It's hard to describe this stuff. ya know, I was just thinking that even the groove doesn't work if you don't have good articulation. But getting in the groove and riding it for awhile until you get warmed up will also bring on good articulation. One other point is when playing live, or recording, don't play licks that you can't. Instead, put good articulation to work on things that you do well. That way you will say more. I learned long ago that's it's better to say something slow with good articulation than trying to play fast with too many notes, especially if you're not good at it. My hat's off to those who can do that, though, and still say it well. Heh, I'm just not one of them. Play within your ability when out playing, improve your abilities at home practicing. But, for me, I find that I do best at practice by just playing. If I find a new lick, then I have to play it overe and over until I can articulate it well. Only then will I let it be heard on a gig.

Fast play in itself isn't groovy, though many seem to think so. I like to say (and to keep saying ) that contrast is the way to go. A fast riff will have much more effect in between long ringing notes and vice versa.
To tell you the truth: The faster I got, the more I had to pay attention to keep it simple.

[Russell L]

Originally Posted by Chris K

Fast play in itself isn't groovy, though many seem to think so. I like to say (and to keep saying ) that contrast is the way to go. A fast riff will have much more effect in between long ringing notes and vice versa.
To tell you the truth: The faster I got, the more I had to pay attention to keep it simple.

Right-on, Chris. Sometimes less is more.