Funk is ending up like the Blues

[IamGroot]

I have a healthy respect for older Black Church music and have sent a lot of time studying the style and learning the bass parts. It has its own set of rules and changes and it takes time to really get the feel and how to hook up with piano player and chorus. I am talking older stuff without much slap.

Unfortunately, i am kinda pale, so the opportunities for playing that music on home ground probably wont happen.

 

[bluesblaster]

I have a buddy that's just gaga for Snarky Puppy, I think they are really great players but there music just doesn't really resonate with me. Don't hate it, just not my cup of tea

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Actually she's one of the better YouTube bassists out there - all the notes and pocket down but not overly flash like some. Hopefully she goes far.

And yes, I know it's scary that one of the better bassists out there in terms of skills (writing is another matter) is 12 or something.

 

[bluesblaster]

nuff said

 

[bigshiny]

Well, I beg to differ about 70’s funk not being popular with the masses. If Bruno Mars isn’t 70’s, early 80’s funk, I don’t know what is. Just my opinion.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I have a healthy respect for older Black Church music and have sent a lot of time studying the style and learning the bass parts. It has its own set of rules and changes and it takes time to really get the feel and how to hook up with piano player and chorus. I am talking older stuff without much slap.

Unfortunately, i am kinda pale, so the opportunities for playing that music on home ground probably wont happen.

If you're in the right locale, can cut it and deal with the environment, the rest is easy.

I know fusion cats who struggle in church.

 

[bluesblaster]

I saw Bruno and the boys one night on some show, thought I was watching JB and the famous flames for a second, that's a hard workin bunch that gets that you have to be entertaining as well as great band, give the people there moneys worth. Make the ladies swoon and the fellas wish they were up on that stage....then ya got something

 

[JRA]

this new stuff, to me, is vaping an e-cig after avocado on gluten-free toast, whereas the foundational music/genres are/were a real unfiltered cigarette after a huge greasy meal.

(truth! )

One truth about all great music: it will be assimilated.

have to agree.

I feel that funk was absorbed into music on a fundamental level.... It’s a feel these days, not a genre. Anything can be funky. Does that rudimentary funk genre still exist? Definitely. But, like rudimentary Heavy Metal, which was taken up and mutated by countless new genres, it’s been challenged by a new era where you can get your funk in multiple places. Stuff changes. Accept it and move on.

have to agree. i actually 'like it' that some contemporary music hitches up with some of my preferences --- largely from my past/early music indoctrination --- even if the newer creators don't have the same connection that i think i have.

Something I hardly see in MY region at least (Central Oklahoma): young African American blues guitarists.

and why is that?

Yall of the older generations may not understand this as easily.

Unfortunately, i am kinda pale

i'm a fade, too --- but don't let that hold you back!

Well, I beg to differ about 70’s funk not being popular with the masses. If Bruno Mars isn’t 70’s, early 80’s funk, I don’t know what is. Just my opinion.

i like his stuff a lot, but he's a throwback...it's more distilled. it lacks the freedom that the earlier stuff implied. IMO, of course.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Well, I beg to differ about 70’s funk not being popular with the masses. If Bruno Mars isn’t 70’s, early 80’s funk, I don’t know what is. Just my opinion.

Exactly. A Roger Troutman drum pattern and vibe is still irresistible to most folks. You just have to do it right. That's the trick. Bruno gets it.

 

[ElMon]

Well, I beg to differ about 70’s funk not being popular with the masses. If Bruno Mars isn’t 70’s, early 80’s funk, I don’t know what is. Just my opinion.

That’s what’s interesting to me. There is, I will maintain, an ignorance of what came before, and yet when someone like Bruno Mars repurposes (some would say STEALS) the genre, the fact that people resonate with it tells me that the hallmarks of the genre (behind the beat, emotive music to mention only a few things) are as universal as the blues scale.

When people get all hyberbolic about a Vulfpeck, and play that ‘you just don’t GET IT BRO’ crap, it tells me that THEY aren’t fluent in the genre.

Hoping this turns into a ‘here’s the hot new stuff’ clip thread. Lettuce/Thundercat/etc make me think there’s hope.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

If you're in the right locale, can cut it and deal with the environment, the rest is easy.

I know fusion cats who struggle in church.

Quite true ... I’m a fusion guy myself but I’m not extremely confident with the instrument when approaching certain old style R&B tunes ... I assume it’s a matter of practice anyway (at least in my case I believe), hence, I’m studying now

 

[AngelCrusher]

I think funk is coming back but more in the electro form. Ive been in some trendier underground venues and its awesome to hear dam funk and then sos band crushing the dance floor.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I think funk is coming back but more in the electro form. Ive been in some trendier underground venues and its awesome to hear dam funk and then sos band crushing the dance floor.

Yes ... they lack a raspy guitar however in thd majority of cases ...

 

[Brad Johnson]

Many equate slap bass with funk. For a primer on relative busy bass in a funk environment check out Aaron Mills with Cameo on cuts like "Cameosis". Larry Blackmon is a master in drum placement and just doing what the song needs vs. a barrage of polyrhythmic stuff.

Or Nathaniel Phillips with Pleasure. That's where we though Funk was headed.

 

[DrayMiles]

Ah, if only it were politically correct to say what you really mean... Kinda like gentrification in my opinion...
Just because it’s called funk don’t make it the real deal. It’s kinda like bread that has no vitamins and essential minerals. It’s consumable, but it ain’t the real deal to those who know better. It’s been neutered for those who think they know what the real, deal is... At least in Europe, the originators are recognized and can still earn a living. It reminds me of people who used to say “I love Prince. His first album 1999 was great!” They were late to the party and ignorant of the three previous albums he created. If you like your “funk” second hand and diluted, that’s your right... But, degradation occurs when you copy a copy of a copy. There’s still some good stuff going on, but I think you’re going to have to go get it...

 

[Brad Johnson]

Quite true ... I’m a fusion guy myself but I’m not extremely confident with the instrument when approaching certain old style R&B tunes ... I assume it’s a matter of practice anyway (at least in my case I believe), hence, I’m studying now

Part of it that I see with my friends is that they think their Fusion chops will easily transfer but come to the realization that there's a lot to learn. Gospel kicks a lot of butts... you either pass or hunker down and get it.

Funk is even more interesting. I had a friend who could play Dave Weckl's stuff yet struggled with basic R&B and Funk. It was too simple for him.

 

[IamGroot]

If you're in the right locale, can cut it and deal with the environment, the rest is easy.

I know fusion cats who struggle in church.

Rule No1. Dont overplay. Keep the groove deep but siimple.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I saw Bruno and the boys one night on some show, thought I was watching JB and the famous flames for a second, that's a hard workin bunch that gets that you have to be entertaining as well as great band, give the people there moneys worth. Make the ladies swoon and the fellas wish they were up on that stage....then ya got something

Exactly.

 

[bluesblaster]

Funk aint nuthin but a feelin, same with the blues

 

[Brad Johnson]

Rule No1. Dont overplay. Keep the groove deep but siimple.

This largely true...because a lot of busy players tend to lose sight of the fact that they're supposed to be playing with others.

I know killer rhythm guitarists who wish they could solo, not realizing what they bring to the table is funk gold. And bassists who can't understand why that well placed arpeggio killed the groove.