Fiorenza2 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I'm going to uni soon with the intent of joining a funk/disco/jazz sort of band a la Jamiroquai, and I'm not confident that I can really "funk" it up. I'm technically sound, but whenever I listen to the likes of Jamiroquai, Chic, EWF, Brand New Heavies, etc, I just don't feel I could replicate any of that style in a creative context (ie: actually writing such bass lines). I tend to overplay, and I can't really grasp the essence of the groove, and I tend to play the same patterns over and over again. (Don't really know how to put it better) I've heard it's best to learn how to get accustomed to a genre by practising with the relevant group musicians, but I don't have that luxury at the moment. Is there anything I can do in the mean time that can help me out? I've been learning bass lines I deem to be funky, but I don't really feel I'm getting anywhere. Is this just a case of perseverance? Or are there any exercises I can do to speed up the process? Thanks for reading, Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Immerse yourself in real funk. Complete and total diet of old school funk that a lot of those guys were inspired by such as:- The Meters Curtis Mayfield Kool and The Gang Aaron Neville Jimmy Castor Bunch Betty Davis Gil Scott Heron Pfunk Bootsy Roy Ayers The Delfonics Tower ofPower The Headhunters The Vibrettes After a few days of nonstop funkiness, start jamming along with a random playlist of these gems (youtube/grooveshark can really help you here). Its not how many notes, its not 16th vs 8th notes or anything like that, its the 'shape' of the swing and the rests that define funk feel. There is no better way to get it than to get on with listening to it all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyKnees Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 this is what u need.... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLo5jWTeHfc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLo5jWTeHfc[/url] ...but seriously, it's all about the spaces between the notes and the interplay with the drums - there is no formula, but it has to be loose and unforced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 I'm too old and too white to play good funk, but something that's helped me recently is trying to play certain grooves using the smallest number of notes possible. There's a particular 4-bar groove in one of our tracks where I used to play 12 or even 16 notes. I now play that phrase with just six notes. It's still identifiably the same groove, but it's now both more spacious and funkier. Bootsy could do it with just two, of course ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonbass Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Find the right drummer and the rest will follow my son. Find the wrong drummer and thou shalt never be funky! Also, nothing wrong with playing the same pattern repeatedly; that's probably the essence of funk... A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Another funk thread I have been trying to learn the funk..... My muso friends also say that I am too old to funk I will master it.......... because after 30 years of the blues I NEED a change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 [quote name='moonbass' post='1360303' date='Sep 2 2011, 07:32 PM']Find the right drummer and the rest will follow my son.[/quote] +1. It's mostly about having a great drummer tbh. The bass just adds colour and counterpoint to the drums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Listen to it as much as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tm486 Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 I often record myself when I play just for my own benefit, i find that listening to myself play helps me to improve. Maybe by recording yourself and listening back to it you might be able to find a way to improve. Other than that, just keep listening and practicing. Good luck. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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