Members solderjunkie Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 I saw the other bands we played with last night, and the bassists had a lot more funk-groove than I have. I'm a punk bassist, and I lack funk. A few of our tunes could benefit from some funk-ness, and I want to learn. I need some listening advice, and maybe some instruction. Where can I find my funk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Stop bathing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 There's been several funky threads lately, try doing a search and go through the youtubes that were posted. I'm not sure what kind of funk you're gonna be able to fit into a punk set, but motown is obviously where it's at. Listen to Stevie Wonder/Barry White and download a few disco singles sets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluedogaudio Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 If you're more of a punk guy, maybe start with some old Chilli Peppers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members solderjunkie Posted January 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 If you're more of a punk guy, maybe start with some old Chilli Peppers. I didn't even think of RHCP... Flea's got funk for days. Brilliant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Honestly, out here in BFE, I only had rock, country, folk & blues...nothing close to real funk. Then a couple bands started passing thru about once a month; one a cover band, the other all original. They were total groove(funk, etc) monsters. I experienced the feel. After that, I simply started paying along to Soul Train while watching all the fine ladies shakin' their bootays at the camera. To me, it's about playing the space between the notes. My fellow bandmates at the time "got it" from being out on a crowded dance floor. The feel, whether your out dancing or on stage, is completely different from punk. In punk, your slamming to the downbeat and the backbeat. In funk, your pulling on "and uhs". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t3ch Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 I didn't even think of RHCP... Flea's got funk for days. Brilliant! Are you looking for rocky funk or just regular funk? If rocky funk... RHCP, 311, RAtM, Clutch, Powerman 5000 (only Mega!! Kung Fu Radio), Cake... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluedogaudio Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 [YOUTUBE]9nO8KHMyKPc[/YOUTUBE] Ignore how they're dressed...[YOUTUBE]06Dql7EiMWE[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 One thing that comes up when funk is discussed: there's a difference between funky and funk. There's a lot of funky blues, funky jazz, funky rock, etc. Then there's definitely personal definitions. When I think of The Brothers Johnson, I think: 70% funk, 30% disco in a song like Stomp. [YOUTUBE]7tgWS9c4kI8[/YOUTUBE] Real, true funk Cholly by Funkadelic [YOUTUBE]KCPregZDStE[/YOUTUBE] Getcha Funk On Slapbak [YOUTUBE]T7ZT_s8zXeQ[/YOUTUBE] Bustin' Out Rick James [YOUTUBE]yLGjIrGTFsE[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 I didn't even think of RHCP... Flea's got funk for days. Brilliant! Be sure to keep a separation. You can hear Bootsy and Louis Johnson in Flea and Les Claypool. And I think that those influences create interesting syncopation and really cool grooves within rock contexts. Funk is still something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members solderjunkie Posted January 7, 2009 Author Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Be sure to keep a separation. You can hear Bootsy and Louis Johnson in Flea and Les Claypool. And I think that those influences create interesting syncopation and really cool grooves within rock contexts.Funk is still something different. Why a separation? I need to expand my repertoire... I don't want to copy what others play, I want to learn the ways of funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bluedogaudio Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 [YOUTUBE]VUFxj59Fa9o[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]CslkVhOoE2U[/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Brother Mango Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Why a separation?I need to expand my repertoire... I don't want to copy what others play, I want to learn the ways of funk. First of all, I realize that this is so subjective. But at the most macro level, I think it's important to make a separation. I was in a band with a keyboard player who argued with me about funk. He described Herbie Hancock as "quntessential funk." I thought, ":facepalm:." Herbie is very funky but the jazz influences are still very present. There are bands that say they're playing funk but they're really playing blues or rock with funk elements. Steely Dan can be really funky at moments but I'd never put them in a basket with George Clinton or Slave or Rick James. Maybe RHCP is where you want to be. That's perfectly fine. But it does help to go further back and hear some of Flea's influences like, --Larry Graham (Sly and the Family Stone, Graham Central Station) --Bootsy Collins (James Brown, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Funkadelic), --Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson, various Quincy Jones/Michael Jackson projects) And lately I'm hearing a huge difference in the drums. There's a way that funk drummers work their snare and highhat that can bring you into the real funk zone. You can only get so funky if your drummer isn't going for the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Funkee1 Posted January 7, 2009 Members Share Posted January 7, 2009 Why a separation?I need to expand my repertoire... I don't want to copy what others play, I want to learn the ways of funk.Because learning what others before you, who created the genre, gives you the knowledge to create your own. It's an old cliche, but you cannot know where you're going if you don't know where you've been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dwalmz Posted January 8, 2009 Members Share Posted January 8, 2009 Funk is still something different.Word! There is a huge difference in 'funky' music and "Funk" music! RHCP is 'funky' but it ain't "FUNK"! Check this link for all your funk needs! http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314342 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Billystrat Posted January 8, 2009 Members Share Posted January 8, 2009 for all learning purposes I recommend Ed Friedland's Bass Grooves. Listening/playing I'd start with some Motown to get some basics then listen to something extreme like Larry Graham. No offense to anyone but RHCP I'd say is more like Diet Funk than anything. There is stuff to be learned, but I'd say dig deeper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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