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IS there A College or University that Actually
- Thread starter JAUQO III-X
- Start date
Can funk be taught? I mean sure there's certain techniques associated with every style of music but can you, honestly, be "taught" the feel of any genre?
I think the funk is something you have to find yourself.
Then, as Will Lee said, once you find it don't let go.
Then, as Will Lee said, once you find it don't let go.
Not that I know of, but any reputable music school would (or should) likely be teaching music. What you do with those musical skills is up to you.
Well, you can teach approaches - as well as history and analysis (there is a book called "Presence And Pleasure: The Funk Grooves Of James Brown And Parliament" by Anne Danielsen that analyses some of the music of Brown and Parliament) - but I think a lot of what funk is about playing-wise comes down to feel, which I don't think can easily be taught.
Yes, but the skills often learned in music faculties/programs don't necessarily translate well into the world of "popular music". I took a couple of popular music analysis courses and it was very interesting to see how some of the students from the "classical side" handled analysing pop songs. Popular music studies in general is a field that is sorely neglected by most music faculties in most universities.
Musiclogic
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- Aug 6, 2005
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yeah, the cd school of associative learning and practition. Get some Bootsy, some Verdine White, a little Marcus, some Charlie Mingus, maybe a touch of Chic, Grahm Central Station etc., and practice. If you can get the feel and groove with the music, you might have a chance, but as stated above, I don't think Funk can be taught, you have to have it in you. It's not one thing, but a mixture of many.
Well, if you subscribe to the Jeff Berlin school of thought (which I mostly do), music academics and the art of music are two completely different things. I my opinion, a school should be teaching musical principals which can then be translated to any genre of music.
Funk is an art, which can only be learned by years of experience of listening and playing. I am not sure you can teach a feel.
Funk is an art, which can only be learned by years of experience of listening and playing. I am not sure you can teach a feel.
You can be taught The Funk.
You can be taught Jazz.
You can be taught Blues.
etc...etc...etc...
But if its not in you...if you cannot let yourself go....if you can never get away from the question " How do I approach?"..then the teaching doesn't matter.
You can be taught Jazz.
You can be taught Blues.
etc...etc...etc...
But if its not in you...if you cannot let yourself go....if you can never get away from the question " How do I approach?"..then the teaching doesn't matter.
- Feb 27, 2005
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Not that I'm aware of, but there are plenty of schools teaching things music theory, ear training, arranging, improvising, etc. They also have live performance, private lessons, and other courses designed to help students understand the principles of sound in general and music in particular. All of that adds up to a program that will help someone who wants to learn funk, learn funk.
If you mean, "Is a university somewhere teaching Bootsy's licks" then the answer is, "No".
If you mean, "Is a university somewhere teaching Bootsy's licks" then the answer is, "No".
If you looked through all the responses thus far and still need to ask that question, then I think we need to hear what you mean by "funk." Do you mean the principles of funk? Funk rhythms? Song structure? Instrumental arrangement? What do you mean?
Doesn't Berklee have the occasional Master Class taught by legacy funk musicians?
I do believe that the funk must be in you! If it ain't in you, it ain't in you! Not sure it can be 'taught'! Just my opinion. I've been playing funk all my life!
SN: I come across many many musicians who say they're into funk and r&b but when it's time to apply it, it's not there and when you try to correct them when they're playing something wrong, they get pretty upset! Sorry, saying you're into funk and applying it are 2 different things! My band's singer wanted us to play Lakeside's Fantastic Voyage. When we played it the first time, I told him to remove the song from the setlist! It was completely devoid of funk. Sister Sledge's Greatest Dancer, the keyboardist is having the hardest time with the timing on that tune! I cringe everytime we play it but the singer is adamant about doing it! Thing is, he's relying on ME to provide the funk but it doesn't work that way. It has to be an ensemble thing! He's always telling to 'funk it up'! Nah bruh, it don't work like that! I need everyone to be on the same page.
Sorry for the side bar tangent! Carry on!
I do believe that the funk must be in you! If it ain't in you, it ain't in you! Not sure it can be 'taught'! Just my opinion. I've been playing funk all my life!
SN: I come across many many musicians who say they're into funk and r&b but when it's time to apply it, it's not there and when you try to correct them when they're playing something wrong, they get pretty upset! Sorry, saying you're into funk and applying it are 2 different things! My band's singer wanted us to play Lakeside's Fantastic Voyage. When we played it the first time, I told him to remove the song from the setlist! It was completely devoid of funk. Sister Sledge's Greatest Dancer, the keyboardist is having the hardest time with the timing on that tune! I cringe everytime we play it but the singer is adamant about doing it! Thing is, he's relying on ME to provide the funk but it doesn't work that way. It has to be an ensemble thing! He's always telling to 'funk it up'! Nah bruh, it don't work like that! I need everyone to be on the same page.
Sorry for the side bar tangent! Carry on!
