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Unfunky......

#81
Bootsy Collins was asked in an issue of Bass Player mag many years ago (now, I'm paraphrasing)-

Interviewer; "How could you show someone how to be or play funky? for example, how would you make someone like (then) President Bill Clinton play funky saxophone?"

Bootzilla's reply; "Hmm... I'd take him down to the hood to hang with some cats for a bit. Then we'd go get some fried chicken and a Coke. Not the fried chicken that you get at KFC, but real fried chicken from the side of the road or someone's home cookin'. You know- the stuff where the grease runs down your arms while eat it. Yeah! That and a Coke would get him playing funky in no time!"

I remember that every time I get into a funk scene, and it actually helps my playing, just thinking what it would be like to be in that situation...

Failing that, maybe they all need to hear some Parliament/Funkadelic. Not just one tune, but the ALL the tunes (or at least sit down and hear a full album).

YMMV
 
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#82
My .02:

Sounds to me the band has some potential. And I'm thinking opportunities to play this kind of material don't come around every day.

What I'd do is stay on the project for several more rehearsals, and get a sense of the course the band is taking. If it's developing with some rehearsal time, great! If it's static...head for the exit.
 
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#84
jeffbassguy said:
its got potential but the singer should probably listen to the recordings of himself, he's not quite hitting the notes. I hope you guys are going to add some vocal harmonies to the chicago stuff, its really what makes the music pop.
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Yes, there will be vocal harmonies. There was only 1 mic hooked up. He'll get the notes. He sings quite well. I will be monitoring the band's progress. Will also be recording rehearsals and posting updates.
 
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#85
In general, it sounds like you have some good musicians, better than many who attempt these tunes. They are not TOP or Chicago - you are not Rocco or Cetera (although you obviously have the part down, which will make every bassist here smile). Give it some time, and perhaps do some rehearsals with the drummer to tighten things up. That is what I sometimes do with my drummer when we want to get things tighter. With just the two of you, it might be easier to express your ambitions for the rhythm section - we all know that if the drums and bass are tight, the rest doesn't matter ;)
 
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#86
MegaSwing said:
There's a big difference between playing the correct notes and playing the notes correctly.
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Man .. that is a ........... profoundly accurate statement ..... Profound because it is so simple.. and obvious... and often missed.. all in one.

Honch said:
The risk of all this discussion though, is that it may end up in the inevitable "white men can't play blues" or "white bassists can't play jamaican reggae" or something like that. Or the other way around. Which we've heard of ad nauseam.
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Only an idiot would say that ... and be serious... but we all know that they are not in short supply so ... ;) .. and mind you .. I am NOT calling YOU .. an idiot... not at all..:thumbsup:
 
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#89
Practice the rhythm section before getting with the rest of the band,and have recordings for reference. It's a little more work for you but I'm sure it will help. Take each section of the song and jam that groove till it feels natural,then put them together and do the whole song. Your band has promise,just needs some commitment from the players. Now get the rhythm section together,and get busy! :bassist:
 
#90
It doesn't sound bad, especially for an early attempt, but they do sound like they're reading. My thoughts would be to send out a few links to some stuff that exemplifies the feel you'd like to achieve and see if anyone actually listens to them. It's likely they won't, but if they do, hopefully they can take something away from it.
 
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#92
JRA said:
... which is the way all of my funky associates have used the term. granted, they are (like me) contemporary, urban folk...not antebellum, plantation folk.
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Probably the same folks that think it's "a hard road to hoe" instead of "a hard ROW to hoe"...
 
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#96
The recording you posted back on the first page isn't bad. To my ears the problem is the horns. That can all be worked out. I have an 8 piece band (classic Motown/Soul, not funk) with a 3 piece horn section. I started out with a local guy on trombone and a couple of guys he knew on trumpet and sax. Sounded a lot like your recording. As time went on, as much as they tried they just couldn't handle the work load. Replaced the trumpet with a pro. He introduced us to a whole knew world of pro horn players. So that's what I have now, mostly pro players. And a list of subs since these guys are really busy around here. Most of the guys I get have their doctorate in performance. It's awesome playing with guys that can just show up and kill it. You may want to look in that direction if your current guys just can't get it done.
Good luck and have fun with it
 
#97
FunkySpoo said:
The recording you posted back on the first page isn't bad. To my ears the problem is the horns. That can all be worked out. I have an 8 piece band (classic Motown/Soul, not funk) with a 3 piece horn section. I started out with a local guy on trombone and a couple of guys he knew on trumpet and sax. Sounded a lot like your recording. As time went on, as much as they tried they just couldn't handle the work load. Replaced the trumpet with a pro. He introduced us to a whole knew world of pro horn players. So that's what I have now, mostly pro players. And a list of subs since these guys are really busy around here. Most of the guys I get have their doctorate in performance. It's awesome playing with guys that can just show up and kill it. You may want to look in that direction if your current guys just can't get it done.
Good luck and have fun with it
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Well it's not my band. I'm just the bass player. Just frustrated. I long to play with better musicians.
 
#99
DWBass said:
Well it's not my band. I'm just the bass player. Just frustrated. I long to play with better musicians.
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I feel I'm a better player when playing with people that are my equal or better. Much of my early experience came from playing with cats who were older and more experienced than I was. I owe them Much! I believe your band is only as good as your weakest link,which in my early years was me,so I worked very hard to keep up. I have recently left a rock trio because the guitar player was a sloppy player,so I understand your predicament. My 2cents FWIW, FIX the horns or it's time to move on,unless your like the guys I grew up with and have a lot of patients and time to help them out. But it sounds like you have reached the breaking point or you would not have posted this . Best of luck, hope you find the improvement your looking for. :cool:
 
#100
Bad azz tone said:
I feel I'm a better player when playing with people that are my equal or better. Much of my early experience came from playing with cats who were older and more experienced than I was. I owe them Much! I believe your band is only as good as your weakest link,which in my early years was me,so I worked very hard to keep up. I have recently left a rock trio because the guitar player was a sloppy player,so I understand your predicament. My 2cents FWIW, FIX the horns or it's time to move on,unless your like the guys I grew up with and have a lot of patients and time to help them out. But it sounds like you have reached the breaking point or you would not have posted this . Best of luck, hope you find the improvement your looking for. :cool:
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I've always said that I don't wanna be in a band where I'm the best player in the band
 
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