What Do I Want to Learn to Get Funky?

[Bassic Playing]

Hey all,

I mostly play metal on bass, generally of the stoner variety, but I'm keen at the moment to play some stuff on the side that's just a bit of fun. The kind of stuff people can dance to, funky dancy discoey stuff. Problem is, I don't really listen to stuff like that, apart from perhaps early RHCP, which I like very much. What songs/artists can I learn to help me get my groove on? Jamiroqui? Other stuff? I listen to metal, jazz, and southern soul kind of stuff, so I am a pretty naive about this area of bass playing. Any help appreciated.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

IMO It's the rhythm that sets most music apart from each other. Chords are chords, notes are notes, it's the rhythm and how it's played that make the difference.

This may help. 100 Greatest Funk Artists and then funk artists - Bing

 

[tfer]

Do a search for 'syncopated rhythms'.

Here's one I found for you, that includes a funk example:

[This invalid link has been removed]

That's where you want to start.

 

[devnulljp]

 

[Up the dose]

Your original post was exactly like I was about 25 years ago. I was playing in a metal band and I heard guys like Flea, Billy Gould and Robert Trujillo playing in a funky style over some heavy music. I wanted to sound like them, but I also wanted to know where they got it from. My teacher let me borrow a Larry Graham record and a Bootsy record and I was hooked. Now there's so much stuff on YouTube you can get an excellent overview of where the style originated. Two other people to listen to that took what Larry and Bootsy started and moved it forward would be Bernard Edwards and Louis Johnson. Look up all of them and you'll find a wealth of funk knowledge. Bootsy and Larry still tour too. If you ever get the chance to see them live just go. You will not be disappointed. Good luck in your funk discovery journey

 

[808P123]

The power of quarter notes.

 

[Fat Freddy]

You gotta learn to walk right first

 

[hrodbert696]

Fixate on the ONE. Then everyone can do whatever craziness they like for a while. Then ONE. Crazy crazy crazy... ONE. You get the idea.

 

[EricssonB]

Sounds like you wants to get funked up, uncut. The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship.


[Edit: bad link.]

 

[Mason Nagy]

"Ya know."

 

[mambo4]

What songs/artists can I learn to help me get my groove on?

If there is one artist to look to above all others: James Jamerson.

 

[bassfran]

Get hold of some James Brown records and play along with them daily. Repeat as necessary until you get the feels down pat. Let Clyde be your guide.

Then go forth and spread the funk.

 

[DavidG]

Funk bass WITHOUT SLAPPING!
As an alternative to the great players listed already check out Rocco Prestia with Tower of Power. 16th Notes all the way; Perfect 16th notes!


Also check out Fela Kuti "Zombie" for another take on funk.


Funk comes in many forms.

 

[DChalo]

SLAP BASS

 

[DChalo]

ALL I SEE TURNS TO SLAP. AS THE SUN BURNS THE GROUND.

I SEE A RED DOOR AND I WANT IT PAINTED SLAP

 

[onosson]

Get hold of some James Brown records and play along with them daily. Repeat as necessary until you get the feels down pat. Let Clyde be your guide.

Then go forth and spread the funk.

This.


I can highly recommend the "Star Time" box set, available here: James Brown - Star Time - Amazon.com Music

And apparently someone was generous enough to put together a YouTube playlist – I can't vouch for its accuracy or completeness, but it has the advantage of being free

P.S. The earliest stuff is not so funky, you might want to skip ahead ....

 

[Biggbass]

put on some James Brown.

 

[bdplaid]

Hey all,

I mostly play metal on bass, generally of the stoner variety, but I'm keen at the moment to play some stuff on the side that's just a bit of fun. The kind of stuff people can dance to, funky dancy discoey stuff. Problem is, I don't really listen to stuff like that, apart from perhaps early RHCP, which I like very much. What songs/artists can I learn to help me get my groove on? Jamiroqui? Other stuff? I listen to metal, jazz, and southern soul kind of stuff, so I am a pretty naive about this area of bass playing. Any help appreciated.

James Brown, without question. TOP with Rocco Prestia.

 

[Basshappi]

Check out The Meters they are also one of the pioneers of the Funk style. George Porter Jr. is the bass player and was a significant influence.

 

[RobBottom69]

I agree on James Brown, the Meters, Chic and Bernard Edwards.