Style question followed by Instruction question

[Wissen]

This will no doubt sound like a stupid question. What would you call the musical style of artists like Earth, Wind & Fire (September, for example), Jackson 5 (I Want You Back, specifically), Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder and similar. Seems to have parts of R&B, Funk, Soul...lots of things put in a blender. 70's Gold, maybe? All of these have one thing in common for me - great basslines. I'm at a point that I'd like to learn that style of playing, but don't even know where to begin.
Could anyone point me to online lessons they've found useful? Or, if you are an instructor in this style, in the Austin, TX area, please let me know. I have a pretty strong background in classic rock and blues, but want to stretch my wings. Thanks for your time.

B

If you are looking to learn how to create your own basslines in this style, I'd say you should brush up on your:

Major pentatonic scale patterns
Minor pentatonic scale patterns
Mixolydian scale (to get comfortable with the famous Flat-7 in funk music)
Mixolydian arpeggios
Right-hand technique, specifically string-skipping and syncopation

I'm not saying that mastering these five things will turn you into James Jamerson or Verdine White, but they will allow you to comp the style. Your background in blues will be more helpful than you may realize.

 

[Audiomicrowave]

...Your background in blues will be more helpful than you may realize...

That was one thing I noticed watching those videos - a lot of it was familiar territory. I'll need to delve into the "why are they playing that" as opposed to the "how are they playing that". Thanks for your practice suggestions.

B

 

[Wissen]

That was one thing I noticed watching those videos - a lot of it was familiar territory. I'll need to delve into the "why are they playing that" as opposed to the "how are they playing that". Thanks for your practice suggestions.

B

I also think the way you think about blues is pretty similar. The "why's", as you said. I know I learned all of those styles more or less at the same time, so my blues playing is very R&B-flavored, and vice versa. I think about all of them pretty interchangeably to be honest, and I think that's a defining characteristic of my style.

If your question is "How do I write baselines like Verdine or James?" I say good luck to you. When you find your answer please do share, and I'll apply your wisdom to my eternal question "How do I write a song like Paul McCartney or Billy Joel?" Creative people are creative.