Need 70's funk song to learn

[sydandpaigesdad]

Hey guys a great milestone for me, I learned my first song. Well I played through it 5 times without getting lost to bad anyways lol. My instructor started with the basics and then we worked on a song so it would start out as fun so I learned My Girl, and it was fun.
For this song we used notation combined with tabs to help when I would get lost but for this second song I will only be using the sheet music. He suggested a 70's funk song like Ladies Night to just keep it fun before we get into chords and such as technical practice which I think is a really cool way of teaching.
My question is while I am 38 I'm not very familiar with this genre of music, I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions for another song I could choose from?
BTW my teacher didn't have time to lay out a choice of songs so it's not that he's being lazy lol

[John Wentzien]

2 words...BRICK>>>HOUSE!

[sonofabass]

2nd time today with this "advise" but try it.

1: google cover bands (say sauceband, austin Texas...I am not affiliated )

2. Check out their song list ( most bands will have their covers broken into categories like "70s funk / disco")
This will give you a reasonable idea of the "repertoire " in the world....no, not a complete study by any means but you'll really find a lot of " funk tunes every bassist must know" because you can through a dart at any cover band and they'll all have pretty much the same set lists regardless of what part of the country (or even world) they are in.

Yes....brick house and play that funky music (white boy) are on every list...ans every time I swear I don't ever want to play either of them I end up doing so with a big grin thinking "they're actually paying me to do this" :-)

[bass12]

Here are some relatively easy-to-play classics you could look up (+1 to "Brick House"):

"The Payback" - James Brown
"Hollywood Swinging" - Kool & The Gang
"The Message" - Cymande
"Loose Booty" - Funkadelic
"Good Times" - Chic
"If You Want Me To Stay" - Sly & The Family Stone
"Skin Tight" - Ohio Players
"I Don't Know What It Is (But It Sure Is Funky)" - Ripple

[dmusic148]

I'd steer you toward something slower/simpler, like Average White Band, 'Schoolboy Crush.' It's all about feel. Laying back and not rushing.

[bass12]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

I'd steer you toward something slower/simpler, like Average White Band, 'Schoolboy Crush.' It's all about feel. Laying back and not rushing.

Yep, that's a great one and a good suggestion.

[sydandpaigesdad]

Ah man digging the average white band song, plus my dad tells me he's a big fan lol

[tapewound ted]

The Isley Brothers - Fight the Power part I & II
The O'Jays - For the Love of Money

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by sydandpaigesdad

Ah man digging the average white band song, plus my dad tells me he's a big fan lol

If you like that, buy their 'Best Of' disc and learn the whole thing.
Then get Tower Of Power, 'Funkland,' and learn that.

[Strat Hater]

Higher Ground

[Stumbo]

Play That Funky Music White Boy

[Brianvw]

Just Kissed My Baby by the Meters. Simple line that's full of funk and groove!

[chanson]

Anything James Brown

[John Wentzien]

Cissy Strut ..By the Meters...and Pick-up-the-pieces.....AWB....

[John Wentzien]

THEN..,.Just kissed My Baby!!!!......only then!

[John Wentzien]

LOL!

[bassybill]

It's a mixture of 60s and 70s stuff, but still, just buy this book...

Amazon.com: Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson (9780881888829): Dr. Licks, James Jamerson, Berry Gordy: Books

And start by picking out the ones that sound/look easy, with your teacher's help. When you've worked carefully through this, one bar at a time and thinking about the notes you're playing and how they fit in with the chords, then you should find learning this sort of stuff by ear isn't too hard.

You'll thank me afterwards.

[Stumbo]

Some Funk and R&B tunes to check out. These are set lists from some TB bands.

"What's Going On" and "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
"Stand By Me" by Ben E. King
"Respect" and "Chain Of Fools" by Aretha Franklin
"Dock Of The Bay" by Otis Redding
"I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown
"Knock On Wood" by Eddie Floyd
"Soul Man" and "Hold On! I'm A Comin'" by Sam & Dave
"In The Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett
"I Want You Back" and "ABC" by The Jackson 5
"My Girl" by The Temptations
"I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
"How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" by Marvin Gaye
"Proud Mary" by Ike & Tina Turner


Do You Love Me - Contours
Baby Love - Supremes
Stop! In the Name of Love - Supremes
Love is Like an Itchin' in my Heart - Supremes
You Can't Hurry Love - Supremes
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - (we medleyed the two versions: Diana Ross and Gaye/Terrell)
Reach Out (I'll Be There) - Four Tops
Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over) - Four Tops
Sugar Pie Honey Bunch - Four Tops
Bernadette - Four Tops
I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight
Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight
This Old Heart of Mine - Isley Brothers
It's Your Thing - Isley Brothers
Darling Dear - Jackson 5
Shotgun - JR Walker
Home Cookin' - JR Walker
I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Gaye
Let's Get it On - Gaye
How Sweet it is - Gaye
Ain't Nothin' Like the Real Thing - Gaye/Terrell
You're all I Need to Get By - Gaye-Terrell
My Guy - Mary Wells
You Really Got a Hold on Me - Smokey
You Better Shop Around - Smokey
I Second that Emotion - Smokey
Cruisin' - Smokey
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me - Temptations
The Way You Do the THings You Do - Temptations
Get Ready - Temptations
Just my Imagination - Temptations
Cloud Nine - Temptaions
Ain't Too Proud to Beg - Temptations
My Girl - Temptations
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted - David Ruffin
I Wish - Stevie
Superstition - Stevie
Sir Duke - Stevie
For Once in my Life - Stevie
Master Blaster - Stevie
Higher Ground - Stevie
Uptight (Everything's Alright) - Stevie
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Stevie
Why Can't We Be Friends - War
Slippin' Into Darkness -War
Spill the Wine - War
Soul Vaccination - ToP
Diggin' on James Brown - ToP
So Very Hard to Go - ToP
What is Hip - ToP
Dance to the Music - Sly
Everyday People - Sly
Stand - Sly
Thank You (Falletin Me B Mice Elf Agin) - Sly
A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles
Georgia on my Mind - Ray Charles
What'd I Say - Ray Charles
I Got a Woman - Ray Charles
At Last - Etta James
Try a Little Tenderness - Otis Redding
Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding
The Glory of Love - Otis Redding
Hard to Handle - Otis Redding
Wrap it Up - Sam & Dave
Hold On! I'm a Comin - Sam & Dave
Soul Man - Sam & Dave
Clean Up Woman - Betty Wright
Mr. Big Stuff - Jean Knight
Drift Away - Dobie Gray
I'll Be Around - The Spinners
We Are Family - Sister sledge
Stomp - Brothers Johnson
Strawberry Letter 23 - Brothers Johnson
Chank - John Scofield
Funky Broadway - Wilson Pickett
Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
Land of 1000 Dances - Wilson Pickett
In the Midnight Hour - wilson Pickett
634-5789 - Wilson Pickett
Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd
The Jam - Graham Central Station
Hair - Graham Central Station
Who's Making Love - Johnnie Taylor
Pick up the Pieces - Average White Band
Stand by Me - Ben E King
Everything I Do Gohn Be Funky - Lee Dorsey
Me and Mrs. Jones - Billy Paul
I'm So Tired of Being Alone - Al Green
Let's Stay Together - Al Green
Love and Happiness - Al Green
Here I Am - Al Green
Tighten it Up - Archie Bell andthe Drells
Good Times - Chic
BOogie Wonderland - EWF
Let's Groove Tonight - EWF
September - EWF
Shining Star - EWF
Lady Marmalade - Labelle
Postizo - Marc Ribito
Dancing in the Street - Martha and the Vandellas
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough - MJ
PYT - MJ
Rock with You - MJ
I Wanna Testify - The Parliaments
Superfreak - Rick James
Killing Me Softly - Roberta Flack
The Jackal - Ronny Jordan
Tell Me Something Good - Rufus
It's a Shame - The Spinners
Long Train Running - The Doobie Brothers
Let's Go Crazy - Prince
I Would Die 4 U - Prince
When Doves Cry - Prince
Raspberry Berry - Prince
Kiss - Prnce
Cissy Strut - The Meters
Tippi-Toes - The Meters
Good Old Funky Music - The Meters
They All Ask'd For You - The Meters
What's Going On - Gaye
Cold Sweat - James Brown
Sex Machne - James Brown
The Payback - James Brown
It's a Man's Man's Man's Word - James Brown
Papa's Got a Brand New Bag - James Brown
I Got You (I Feel Good) - James Brown
Chameleon - Herbie Hancock
Hang up your Hang Ups - Herbie
For the Love of Money - The O'Jays
Flashlight - Parliament
Chocolate City - Parliament


Set 1
Ain’t Too Proud To Beg
Get Ready
At Last
Reach Out (I’ll Be There)
This Old Heart of Mine
Heatwave
Everyday People
Baby I Love You
Let’s Get It On
Dancing in the Streets
I Wish
It’s Your Thing
Shotgun
Superstition
I Will Survive

Set 2
Dance to the Music
Celebration
Respect
6345789
Let’s Stay Together
Sir Duke
Shining Star
Good Times
Lady Marmalade
Brickhouse
Disco Inferno
Diggin’ on James Brown
Thank U
Hard to Handle
What’s Going On
Use Me

Set 3
I Got You (I Feel Good)
Pick up the Pieces
What is Hip
Mustang Sally
My Girl
Can’t Help Myself
Love and Happiness
Hold On! I’m a Comin’
Cold Sweat
I’ll Take You There
Knock on Wood
Groove Me
Try a Little Tenderness
Heard it Through the Grapevine
What Becomes/Broken Hearted
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Soul Man

1. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong
2. Shop Around - Shorty Long
3. Please Mr. Postman - The Velvelettes, The Velvelettes
4. Jamie - Martha & the Vandellas, Martha & the Vandellas
5. One Who Really Loves You - Jimmy Ruffin
6. Do You Love Me - The Marvelettes Listen
7. Beechwood 4-5789 - Nickolas Ashford, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
8. You Beat Me to the Punch - The Originals
9. Stubborn Kind of Fellow - The Spinners, The Spinners
10. Two Lovers - Mary Wells Listen
11. You've Really Got a Hold on Me - Martha & the Vandellas, Martha & the Vandellas
12. Come and Get These Memories - Marvin Gaye
13. Pride and Joy - Stevie Wonder
14. Fingertips, Pt. 2 [Live] - Martha & the Vandellas, Martha & the Vandellas
15. (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave - The Miracles
16. Mickey's Monkey - Eddie Holland Listen
17. Leaving Here - The Temptations, The Temptations
18. Way You Do the Things You Do - Mary Wells
19. My Guy - The Miracles, Smokey Robinson
20. Devil With a Blue Dress On - Brenda Holloway
21. Every Little Bit Hurts - The Four Tops Listen
22. Baby I Need Your Loving - Martha & the Vandellas, Martha & the Vandellas
23. Dancing in the Streets - Carolyn Crawford
24. My Smile Is Just a Frown (Turned Upside Down) - The Velvelettes,
25. Needle in a Haystack - The Supremes, The Supremes
26. Baby Love - The Supremes, The Supremes
27. Come See About Me - Marvin Gaye
28. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) - The Temptations, The Temptations

1. My Girl - The Marvelettes
2. He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' - The Four Tops
3. Ask the Lonely - Junior Walker & the All-Stars
4. Shotgun - Martha & the Vandellas, Martha & the Vandellas
5. Nowhere to Run - Brenda Holloway
6. When I'm Gone - The Miracles
7. Ooo Baby Baby - The Four Tops
8. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) - The Contours
9. First I Look at the Purse - The Miracles
10. Tracks of My Tears - The Four Tops
11. It's the Same Old Song - Eddie Holland
12. Love (Makes Me Do Foolish Things) - Kim Weston
13. Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While) - Stevie Wonder
14. Uptight (Everything's Alright) - The Marvelettes
15. Don't Mess with Bill - The Elgins
16. Darling Baby - The Isley Brothers
17. This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) - The Monitors
18. Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)
19. Shorty Long - Junior Walker & the All-Stars
20. (I'm A) Road Runner - The Temptations, The Temptations
21. Ain't Too Proud to Beg - Mary Wells
22. What Becomes of the Brokenhearted - Junior Walker & the All-Stars
23. How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) - Chris Clark
24. Love's Gone Bad - The Supremes, The Supremes
25. You Can't Hurry Love - The Temptations, The Temptations
26. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep - The Elgins
27. Heaven Must Have Sent You - The Four Tops

1. Reach Out (I'll Be There) - The Temptations, The Temptations
2. (I Know) I'm Losing You - The Four Tops
3. Standing in the Shadows of Love - Marvin Gaye, Kim Weston
4. It Takes Two - The Contours
5. Hunter Gets Captured by the Game - Martha & the Vandellas,
6. Jimmy Mack - The Four Tops
7. Bernadette - Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
8. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
9. More Love - Gladys Knight & the Pips, Gladys Knight & the Pips
10. I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
11. I Second That Emotion - The Temptations
12. I Wish It Would Rain - Rita Wright
13. I Can't Give Back the Love I Feel for You - Bobby Taylor
14. Does Your Mama Know About Me - The Marvelettes,
15. Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing - Diana Ross,The Supremes
16. Love Child - Stevie Wonder
17. For Once in My Life - The Temptations,
18. Cloud Nine - Marvin Gaye
19. I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
20. Baby, Baby Don't Cry - Edwin Starr
21. Twenty-Five Miles - David Ruffin
22. My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me) - Junior Walker & the All-Stars
23. What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) - The Temptations
24. I Can't Get Next to You - Mary Wells
25. Baby, I'm for Real - The Supremes, The Supremes
26. Up the Ladder to the Roof - The Jackson 5,

1. I Want You Back - The Originals
2. Bells - Rare Earth
3. Get Ready - The Jackson 5
4. ABC - The Temptations
5. Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today) - Jackson 5
6. Love You Save - Stevie Wonder
7. Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours - Edwin Starr
8. War - Marvin Gaye
9. It's a Shame - Diana Ross
10. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - The Four Tops
11. Still Water (Love) - The Jackson 5, The Jackson 5
12. I'll Be There - Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
13. Tears of a Clown - The Supremes
14. Stoned Love - Gladys Knight & the Pips
15. If I Were Your Woman - The Temptations
16. Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) - Marvin Gaye
17. What's Going On - The Jackson 5
18. Never Can Say Goodbye
19. Nathan Jones - The Supremes,
20. I Don't Want to Do Wrong - Gladys Knight & the Pips
21. Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Undisputed Truth
22. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) - Marvin Gaye
23. I Just Want to Celebrate - Rare Earth
24. I Just Want to Celebrate - The Miracles


1. Got to Be There - Michael Jackson
2. Floy Joy - The Supremes, The Supremes
3. Simple Game - The Four Tops
4. Walk in the Night - Junior Walker & the All-Stars
5. Ben - Michael Jackson
6. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Temptations
7. Silly Wasn't I - Valerie Simpson
8. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
9. Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye) - Gladys Knight & the Pips
10. Touch Me in the Morning - Diana Ross
11. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
12. Keep on Truckin', Pt. 1 - Eddie Kendricks
13. Boogie Down - Eddie Kendricks
14. Dancing Machine - The Jackson 5
15. Do It Baby - The Miracles
16. Shoe Shoe Shine - The Dynamic Superiors
17. Harmour Love - Syreeta
18. Love Power - Willie Hutch
19. It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday - G.C. Cameron
20. Love Machine, Pt. 1 - The Miracles
21. Walk Away from Love - David Ruffin

1. Quiet Storm - Smokey Robinson
2. Love Hangover - Diana Ross
3. I Want You - Marvin Gaye
4. Don't Leave Me This Way - Thelma Houston
5. Got to Give It Up, Pt. 1 - Marvin Gaye
6. Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
7. Easy - The Commodores
8. You Can't Turn Me off (In the Middle of Turning Me On) - High Inergy
9. Brick House - The Commodores
10. You and I - Rick James
11. Three Times a Lady - The Commodores
12. There'll Never Be - Switch
13. Heaven Must Have Sent You - Bonnie Pointer
14. Sail On - The Commodores
15. Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson
16. Still - The Commodores
17. With You I'm Born Again - Billy Preston, Syreeta
18. Let's Get Serious - Jermaine Jackson
19. I Need Your Lovin' - Teena Marie
20. Being With You - Smokey Robinson

1. Upside Down - Diana Ross
2. Give It to Me Baby - Rick James
3. One Day in Your Life - Michael Jackson
4. Square Biz - Teena Marie
5. Lady (You Bring Me Up) - The Commodores
6. Super Freak - Rick James
7. Right in the Middle (Of Falling in Love) - Bettye LaVette
8. Let It Whip - Dazz Band
9. All Night Long (All Night) - Lionel Richie
10. Time Will Reveal - DeBarge
11. Don't Look Any Further - Dennis Edwards, Siedah Garrett
12. I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
13. Treat Her Like a Lady - The Temptations
14. Ebony Eyes - Rick James, Smokey Robinson
15. Nightshift - The Commodores
16. Rhythm of the Night - DeBarge
17. Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell
18. In My House - The Mary Jane Girls

1. Part-Time Lover - Stevie Wonder
2. Who's Johnny - El DeBarge
3. Lady Soul - The Temptations
4. Nail It to the Wall - Stacy Lattisaw
5. Talk to Me - Chico DeBarge
6. Just to See Her - Smokey Robinson
7. One Heartbeat - Smokey Robinson
8. Dial My Heart - The Boys
9. Him or Me - Today
10. Your Sweetness - Good Girls
11. Where Do We Go from Here? - Johnny Gill, Stacy Lattisaw
12. Rub You the Right Way - Johnny Gill
13. Slow Motion - Gerald Alston
14. Iesha - Another Bad Creation
15. Motownphilly - Boyz II Men
16. I Love Your Smile - Shanice
17. End of the Road - Boyz II Men

1. Gee Whiz (Look At His Eyes)- Carla Thomas
2. Last Night- The Mar-Keys
3. You Don't Miss Your Water- William Bell
4. Green Onions- Booker T. & The M.G.'S
5. Walking The Dog- Rufus Thomas
6. I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)- Otis Redding
7. Candy- The Astors
8. Respect- Otis Redding
9. You Don't Know Like I Know- Sam & Dave
10. I Want Someone- The Mad Lads
11. Hold On I'm Coming- Sam & Dave
12. Let Me Be Good To You- Carla Thomas
13. Your Good Thing (Is About To End)- Mable John
14. Knock On Wood- Eddie Floyd
15. B-A-B-Y- Carla Thomas
16. Tramp- Otis Redding
17. Soul Finger- The Bar-Kays
18. Born Under A Bad Sign- Albert King
19. Soul Man- Sam & Dave
20. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay- Otis Redding
21. I Got A Sure Thing- Ollie & The Nightingales
22. Soul Limbo- Booker T. & The M.G.'S 2:22
23. I've Never Found A Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)- Eddie Floyd
24. What A Man- Linda Lyndell
25. Private Number- William Bell
26. Who's Making Love- Johnnie Taylor
27. I Forgot To Be Your Lover- William Bell 2:20 $0.99 Buy Track
28. I Like What You're Doing (To Me)- Carla Thomas

1. Time Is Tight- Booker T. & The M.G.'S
2. So I Can Love You- The Emotions
3. Walk On By- Isaac Hayes
4. Do The Funky Chicken- Rufus Thomas
5. Jody's Got Your Girl And Gone- Johnnie Taylor
6. Mr. Big Stuff- Jean Knight
7. Never Can Say Goodbye- Isaac Hayes
8. Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get- The Dramatics
9. Respect Yourself- The Staple Singers
10. Theme From "Shaft"- Isaac Hayes
11. Son Of Shaft- The Bar-Kays
12. That's What Love Will Make You Do-Little Milton
13. I've Been Lonely (For So Long)- Frederick Knight
14. Hearsay- The Soul Children
15. In The Rain- The Dramatics
16. I'll Take You There- The Staple Singers
17. Starting All Over Again- Mel & Tim
18. Dedicated To The One I Love- Temprees
19. If You're Ready (Come Go With Me)- The Staple Singers
20. Cheaper To Keep Her -Johnnie Taylor
21. I'll Be The Other Woman- The Soul Children
22. Woman To Woman- Shirley Brown

[Saxn]

Originally Posted by sydandpaigesdad

Ah man digging the average white band song, plus my dad tells me he's a big fan lol

Ohhh, yeah. AWB to me is a shining example of simple basslines that are funky and FANTASTIC... in fact the first and one of the few funky tunes I learned (I'm new-ish on bass, too) was Pick up the Pieces. So now I am torn between tenor sax and bass on that one!

[jmattbassplaya]

Chameleon - Herbie Hancock