I'm getting into funk...

[Gord_oh]

I primarily play all genres of rock, from classic to alternative, but I am getting into funk style music lately. We have a motown station on pandora at work and I find myself grooving in my seat when I hear a good bass line. I live where Grand Funk Railroad got started, so maybe it's just in the air.

Give me some funk/motown type bass lines to learn and groove to. I am not a very advanced technical player. I can play finger or pick style. I am hoping that branching out into different genres I can improve my technique and apply it to everything I play. I did just pick up a Zoom B3, so I will have a full arsenal of effects at my disposal, as well as a recording capability with the audio interface it has.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Cissy Strut - The Meters
Pusherman - Curtis Mayfield
Use Me - Bill Withers

 

[Gord_oh]

all songs i groove to at work.


I just picked up a new Squier VM 5 string and that Zoom B3 so I think I will possibly record a few if I can.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

You're definitely going to want to check out some Jamiroquai.

 

[Gord_oh]

You're definitely going to want to check out some Jamiroquai.

been there, done that.
some of my favorites.

 

[vin*tone]

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Go.

 

[onosson]

Check out Betty Davis w/ Larry Graham on bass (along with a killer lineup) on her self-titled album.

 

[Mushroo]

There are some great Francis Rocco Prestia: Fingerstyle Funk lessons on Youtube.

 

[Finsterino]

Check out all the old motown classics. James Jamerson on many of them.

 

[onosson]

Oh, and of course hit up the James Brown catalog. The compilation Star Time is great, especially discs 2 & 3 IMO.

 

[bass12]

Some specific songs:

"Groove Me" - King Floyd
"School Boy Crush" - Average White Band
"Mr. Big Stuff" - Jean Knight
"Thank You (Fa Lettin...) - Sly & The Family Stone
"Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" - McFadden & Whitehead
"Just A Touch Of Love" and "Slide" - Slave
"Last Night A DJ Saved My Life" - Indeep
"If That's Your Boyfriend (He Wasn't Last Night)" - Me'shell Ndegéocello

 

[Starrchild]

Parliament/Funkedelic.
Boosty.
Cameo.

 

[aguacateojos]

Do yourself a favor - listen to Lettuce. See them live, marvel at the tightness that is Adam Deitch on drums.

 

[bassfran]

Check out Betty Davis w/ Larry Graham on bass (along with a killer lineup) on her self-titled album.

+1000

That James Brown guy was pretty good, too.

 

[Jazzdogg]

Tower Of Power -

 

[Mystic Michael]

I live where Grand Funk Railroad got started, so maybe it's just in the air.

For the record, Grand Funk Railroad was "funk" in name only. They played rock. Just rock.

Give me some funk/motown type bass lines to learn and groove to.

Strictly speaking, Motown isn't funk. It's rhythm & blues (R&B) - a closely-related genre to be sure, but not exactly funk per se.

That is all...

MM

 

[jkramer5]

Google search:

Lettuce, Pleasure, Average White Band, Steely Dan, especially Asia and Royal Scam albums, The Crusaders, SLAVE, Brick, Con Funk Shun, Dexter Wansel, Fat Larry's Band, Fatback, Fred Wesley, George Duke, Heatwave, Jermaine Jackson's solo records (the mid to late 70's stuff especially), Lakeside, Maceo Parker (southwick/shake everything you got), Tower Of Power, The Memphis Horns, Big Cheese All Stars, R.A.D. (from oakland, killer killer bass player) that should keep you plenty busy.

Another tip is to create a pandora station off of any one of those artists and you'll get a killer variety.

 

[howardkohler]

A couple of my favorites:

Soul With a Capital "S" - Tower of Power
The Jam - Graham Central Station

You also might check out playbassnow.com. It's run by a Danish guy whose handle is Marlowe DK. The site has a ton of slap/funk lessons.

Good luck!

 

[VitalSigns]

Perfect. I was just about to make a thread like this.

 

[DONZI97]

I like the Meters as a good starting point in funk, pretty stripped down, but man does Porter groove.