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Funk vs. Groove - What's the Difference?

Altitude

Altitude

An ounce of perception, a pound of obscure.
Supporting Member
Mar 9, 2005
11,188
14,077
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Denver, nee Austin
#1
Here are two styles that probably bump up against each other, but the borders aren't clearly defined.

What constitutes funk music? Groove music? What makes the two different, and who are some players and bands that exemplify each?
 
#2
I think its about feel more than anything really. Groove can be smooth, while funk generally can not. Groove can be funky though. I think its sorta like most funk is groove, but not always the other way around.

For funk Id say The Meters, George Clinton, The Headhunters.

For Groove id say Soulive, MMW, and Particle.
 
#3
To me, the word "groove" doesn't point to an specific style or genre. IMO, it's about all those little (or maybe not so little) nuances in your playing that move your audience (like making them feel like dancing). You can play a bunch of notes in the right place, with a good tone and in tune, but if your playing is lifeless, there's no groove. I always quote Link Removed as an excellent example on groove (Paul McCartney on bass). The notes are very easy to play, but giving them the groove that Sir Paul puts on them may be a really tough call for more than one player. James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, Bernard Edwards and Francis Rocco Prestia are other terrific "groovy" players. For examples of great groove with a minimalistic use of notes, I'd say Tony Levin and Donald "Duck" Dunn.

"Funk", instead, is about a style of music which features a solid 4/4 beat with heavy syncopations played over that. There are other key components, but for a brief description I think those two are the most important. Tower Of Power (with Rocco Prestia on bass), Rose Royce (Lequeint "Duke" Jobe), Red Hot Chili Peppers (Flea) are just a few examples to check.

I think now of a phrase that summarizes my point of view on this difference: "You can groove with no funk, but you can't funk with no groove" (did anybody say that before? :hiding: ).
 
#4
Funk and groove are not mutually exclusive. Not only can they co-exist, they exemplify all that is just and righteous in the world.


Groove to me is keeping the line in that feel good spot. Sitting in the music just right with ease of flow.

Funk is it's own reward.
 
#15
The way I understand it and grew up with:

"Groove is the pocket Funk rides in"

Some good funkmeisters to listen to:

Parliament/Funkadelic
Digital Underground
Lakeside
Slave
Dazz Band
ConFunkShun
Brick
Cameo
Rick James
Brides Of Funkenstein
Booty's Rubber Band
Brass Construction
D-Train
Average White Band

The list goes on and on and on..................

btw, I get up on the down stroke (some of y'all will get that ;))
 
#17
In fact, I think that the groove is the soul of bass playing (and this applies at least to any rhythm section instrument). ANY competent bassist should be an example of a great groover. Without the intention of sounding "radical", I think that a bass player may have chops and lots of other assets, but if he/she has no groove, maybe should consider switching to a different instrument. Chops are about technique. Groove is about music, which should be first and foremost.
 

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