Funk Guitar Basics

[diegob_85]

Hi, i just wanna know if you guys want to help me with some introduction to the funk guitar. I wanna how to play funk rigth, so i guesed you guys could have some lessons or advices.

Thanks!!

[Aldwyn]

Play clean, play brite, and play 9th chords! In fact, dont even play full chords.. play only the bottom 4 strings of a chord, and go with that..

Also, funk players often will throw in a double time strum every once in a while, mixed in with the regular time stumming...

FuNKy! :dude:

[Peter]

Go with what Aldwyn said. I don't even think "bright" is a necessity - there just needs to be some bite in the tone so it's percussive.
Work on the muted chords: a stereotypical funk phythm pattern will have more muted than ringing chords. Try 16th notes with every third one ringing - that's pretty basic.
And listen to funk players. I find that what guitarists are actually doing on funk cuts is often waaay simpler than a book, teacher, or another guitarist might lead you to believe. It's more about getting in the groove than being overly complicated.

[Big Mike]

I find using triads and voicings higher up the neck, and in the middle 4 strings to be effective. Also liberal use of the Wah Wah pedal (think 'shaft') as well.
Big key is the loose right wrist, and your damping technique with the left hand.

[bleujazz3]

Mike, paging Mike, to the stage.... ;)

[lbw]

Listen to a lot of Nile Rodgers albums.

[Big Mike]

Listen to a lot of Nile Rodgers albums.Big +1.

Also Jesse Johnson with Morris day and the Time,
and oh dang, I forget his name...guy with Al Jarreu...Yamaha endorsee, and does some of those Xotic videos.

[John Hurtt]

Two words...


Tomo Fujita:cool:

[Big Mike]

Two words...


Tomo Fujita:cool:

Man he transcends funk. But yup. Foolish if me not to think of Tomo for an example.

www.tomofujita.com

[Peter]

I'll second, or third, Tomo - but with a qualification. Tomo does transcend funk, in a way that makes him less than ideal to play in a trad. funk ensemble. Depends on what you're looking for.
In any event, Tomo is 'recommended listening'!!

[diegob_85]

I wanna know if you guys wanna let me know some actual funk bands, all i know is jamiroquai, red hot chili peppers..amd thtas it...I`ve listened a lot of clasic funk bands...Tower of power, gap band, cameo, Kool and the Gang, JAmes Brown..etc..But i wanna know about nowadays funk...Thanks..

[threedays]

Definitely RHCP, but before Californication. Love Hillel's (and John's) stuff. What about Vernon Reid from Living Colour? A little 'out there', but still ...

[Rabidhamster]

IMO, if youre looking for a good intro to playing funk guitar, I'd start with Princes "Kiss", the notes are easy to learn, and getting it even partially down opens you to a wide variety of derivatives for funk jamming. Heres a hint, it starts out with GBE barred at the 12th fret:)

Prince seems not to often be thought of as "funk" for some reason, but its definitely all over the place, and I dare you to find me a more monstrous guitar player! If I could play like Prince, I would never show up to a day job again.:D

[lbw]

Prince seems not to often be thought of as "funk" for some reason, but its

I dunno about that, to quote Prince - "I wanna stop but it's too funky!" :)


definitely all over the place, and I dare you to find me a more monstrous guitar player! If I could play like Prince, I would never show up to a day job again.:D
No better example of that than Rainbow Children. Prince is a very underated guitarist.

[Rabidhamster]

oh yes. Man, I actually watched the superbowl last year because of him:)

[Baba]

I was going to mention Prince, for funk playing AND tone.

[Dakster]

Andy Taylor, on the RIO cd

[9-7899]

A good tune for getting the wrist funk thing going (and it's funky) is the aptly named Funk 49 by The James Gang (Joe Walsh) ~ you should be able to get the tab off the net and I'm sure there should be a youtube vid of someone doing it to give you an idea of the timing. It's a good one to have in the bag as it can be stuck in to just about anything you want 'funked-up' :D

[CodeBlue]

Lots O' Prince on funky guitar to be found on those early albums.

[diegob_85]

Guy Thanks a lot! Wish i could show you my improvements!! I just loved "Blood Sugar Sex MAgik" album by the peppers, The James Gang and also a little bit of Lee Ritenour, Prince, George Benson, and John Mayer. I know these artist don't deliver "pure" funk...bur I'm starting to realize that funk is everywere !!!

Regards!