rock bassist needs to get funkier

[Rocks]

Please help, I've been playing almost all rock blues stuff, basically pentatonic/blues scale stuff. I decided that its time that I learn to play a little funkier but not sure where to start. What scale is the funky stuff done in? I'm looking more for beginner to funk ideas, places to start, some basic patterns I can build from type of stuff just so I can get a starting point.

[Chrisk-K]

Learn some Verdine White's lines (EW&F).

[duff84]

learn to add space in the lines too, and perhaps muted notes. Funk doesn't have to be all crazy and such, just a nice groove. Space to lines adds alot to the sound, and work with the drummer more, pay close attention to his style in the songs. You can make anything funky.

[Rocks]

ok, but I'm still curious, is most funk played using pentatonic scales or something else?

[osd]

Minor 7th, major 6th, octaves, minor 3rd. But I agree with posters above, it's more about the rhythm, and notes not played.

[Eminentbass]

Try investigating chromatic approach notes. Those notes could be also considered part of the blues scale if you're using it but if you're comping on a dominant 7 for instance, go from the b7 to the octave using the maj7 as a chromatic passing note. I also like playing 9ths and descending to the tonic using the chromatic note between the two(a generic example would be a fill using r-5-9-b9-8).

Those are just two examples but a lot of principles of jazz walking can be used, the only difference is the groove. You can construct fills just by using chord tones and linking them chromatically.

[puddin tame]

You won't find the funk in a scale, funk is about the feel.

Listen to lots of funk. One rhythmic tip is if you count out like one-ee-and-a-two-ee-and-a... etc, you can sometimes catch the funk on the "a" of 4, right before the one. If you hear a bass line and you plot out the rhythm you can usually tell why something is funky, but honestly if you want to play funky it's just a feel. develop the feel by listening to good funk.

of course some people couldn't funk their way out of a paper bag no matter what, but hopefully that's not you!

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by puddin tame

You won't find the funk in a scale, funk is about the feel.

+1.

Check out some early "Crusaders" material on You Tube. Wilton Felder was/is a master of funk IMO.

[Cloverfield]

Funk is definitely all about the feel (which everyone else has already said), but if you absolutely must have a scale, I'd say Dorian.

[dogofgod]

Originally Posted by Eminentbass

Try investigating chromatic approach notes. Those notes could be also considered part of the blues scale if you're using it but if you're comping on a dominant 7 for instance, go from the b7 to the octave using the maj7 as a chromatic passing note. I also like playing 9ths and descending to the tonic using the chromatic note between the two(a generic example would be a fill using r-5-9-b9-8).

Those are just two examples but a lot of principles of jazz walking can be used, the only difference is the groove. You can construct fills just by using chord tones and linking them chromatically.

+1.

[Stumbo]

Here are some links you may want to check out:
~Funk, Slap, Groove, R&B, Soul
Links to over 20 funk,groove and R&B bassists

TB's Funk 101 list of funk tunes
Funk 102
TB's Old School Funk tunes suggestions
R&B set list tunes
50 songs to learn R&B on

Muted Grooves by Joaquin des Pres
Classic Funk and R&B by Joaquin des Pres

Bass Grooves by TB member Jon Liebman
Funk Bass
Funk/Fusion Bass
4 R&B/Funk book
"Standing in the Shadows of Motown" James Jamerson book/CD
Funk Bass Bible

New funk groups
Modern Funk bassists
Funk Masters w/James Brown Rhythm Section Book
Who played bass with Aretha Franklin?

The late, great, James Jamerson
Jamerson w/Marvin on Youtube

TB slap bass references/links
Over 60 slap/funk lessons by MarlowDK
Video lessons w/Dmanlamius

Playing behind/ahead of the beat
Getting a "synth" bass tone/sound
1 Get that dead flatwound string sound
2
TB Synth bass thread
Funk rock

Neo-Soul (1990's)

Books/Videos from
F. R. Prestia/Tower of Power
Anthony Vitti
Alex Sklarevski
Bill Dickens
Tony Oppenheim
Larry Graham

[Rocks]

Thanks everyone for all the links and help. The reason I was so hung up on "what scale is used" is because I just assumed like rock is based around pentatonic scales that funk must be based around a scale too. And as to whether or not I'll ever be able to funk my way out of a paper bag, I guess only time will tell!

[capnsandwich]

My suggestion to you is you listen to A LOT of funk here in the next week. Don't listen to anything else. That way your mind and ear get acclimated to what's going on.

[Coop Soup]

Don't assume that funk = slap.

[mambo4]

To me funk starts with James Jamerson. Even tho he's the motown /soul guy, his use of rhythm and chromaticism informed all who came after. And proof that it ain't about slapping.

[AsianVoodoo]

I started by listening to some Earth, Wind, & Fire. Look em up on youtube. RHCP is always good intro into funk. Also, Graham Central Station. Once you get used to it and catch on to the syncopation you'll catch on.

[faulknersj]

Holy Links Stumbo!!! Nice dude! As said above, ANY scale can be funky, it is about the feel man. Here is a killer excercise. Google 'monkey machine' and launch the monkey machine drum machine. It is really simple to program in a simple beat in 4/4 time. Now, pick 3 notes, E (on the A string) D (on the A string) and G (on the D string) work really well. Play along with the drum machine using only those 3 notes and force yourself to find new and rhythmically interesting combinations every 4 measures. Focus on cincopating with the snare on the 2 and 4. a more advanced approach is to approach the funk with these 3 notes on the 1, then 4 measures later from the 2, then the 3, and then the 4. When approaching from one of these downbeats, your approach can be to leave that one downbeat open (space) or to attack from that particular downbeat. I invented this technique and have seen it do wonders for some players. Give it a try...u just might dig it! Also, as said above, listen to and learn the funk. James Brown and Maceo practically invented the funk and the lines in those tunes are easy and can really help you to develop a feel for funk. James Brown and Maceo almost always approached from the 1. Now stop reading this, grab your bass, launch the Monkey Machine, and get to practicing!!

[Martin89]

^trying that. Diggin' that machine!

[faulknersj]

Martin89, let me know how that works out for ya dude!

[5string5fingers]

Tried that program is it's not working for me for some reason. I click start and the window pops up but then nothing.