Funk - Tips for a newbie

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Hey guys,

Wondering if anyone can help me.

Jamming out with a new band and the guys are going in a funk meets ska direction.

The ska part I have covered (root-3-5), but I'm at a bit of a loss to the funk part. Never really played much.

Any pointers on a good place to start, some good general songs to cover and whatnot?

Cheers!

 

[Beginner Bass]

Feel a 16th pulse always. Always.

 

[kesslari]

Best way to learn a style of music is to listen to a lot of it.
James Brown, Parliment-Funkadelic. There's the start of your homework right there.
And check my signature

 

[Earthday]

Here's Bootsy Collins with an answer

 

[tjmdetroit]

The ska part I have covered (root-3-5), but I'm at a bit of a loss to the funk part. Never really played much.

Get all over the ONE, do what you want then repeat Emphasis the ONE.... here take it from the big guys themself... check out clinton around mile marker 8:30


peace

tjm

 

[Bernin]

Hit it on the one, baby

 

[markbigtree]

There's far more funk in the empty spaces of phrases, than ones that are crowded with too many notes.

You can't go wrong by absorbing all the James Brown you can.

A strong "one" nails the beat square to the floor, it's up to you and your creativity to fill in the rest.

 

[J. Crawford]

Funk is on the one. Always. Plain and simple.

 

[Stumbo]

Check out the link in my sig. Bass Styles. It has several links for funk playing and funk bass players.

 

[DudeistMonk]

I find the Root, The 5th the 7th and the Octave to be the go to notes for funk, but pretty much anything pentatonic/the blues scale works. The Meters are another good Funk group to check out that has some simple yet effective funk grooves happening.

Also funk doesn't usually have a lot of changes (if any), so you really get to just focus on your groove and let loose....try to get into your drummers head.