Pete Academy

In our shop I get loads of kids trying out electronic kits and basses. Almost all of them play fast, especially the drummers. If you've tried to play a groove slower, you'll find it more difficult. Many of the 70s funk grooves were quite slow. Try playing Cameo's 'Funk Funk'. It's hard to play, but at the same time a great lesson. Also 'Fire' by the Ohio Players.

The missus gave the thumbs up!

I'm in the 'funk can't be taught' side of things. But I'd like to hear something to the contrary.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='910531' date='Jul 30 2010, 06:57 PM']i agree with this totally Pete..nothing worse than funk too fast!! that and a bassist with a Burberry cap on.. [/quote]

Take Me'Shell. Listen to her play a funk groove. You can pick out the notes, but how can you teach someone to play like that? Another prime example is The Meter's 'Cissy Strut'. Try to play it with the same laid-back groove. The Commodores 'Brick House'. And 'Sex Machine'? Forget it!

Space is important. I hear kids play at warp speed and am tempted to say: 'Try that at half speed.' I think that's where Marcus excels - he can groove at a slow(er) tempo. Playing a slow funk groove is difficult.

I heard through the grapevine that Bootsy's Funk University is not as good as expected. To be honest, this doesn't surprise me, as I think you can show people how to play a funk groove, but to actually make it sound funky is all about the individual and what their musical upbringing is. In other words, you are what you listen to. I can't play metal to save my life. Nor reggae, punk, etc. I honestly don't think think you can 'teach' someone to play funk, unless they have been into it for many years. I know this is similar to a previous 'can you learn to groove' thread. but I think the Funk Uni might be a flop. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

There just isn't (to my knowledge, anyway) any more big funk bands. The days of EWF, Cameo. Kool, etc are long gone. This is probably due to touring logistics. The only bands out there are probably Jamiroquai and Incognito, who can afford to hire a brass section, backing vox and percussion. That's why the recent Stevie DVD, and this Incognito one, are so special.

Take a look at the trailer on Amazon. I guarantee you'll buy it. Amazing bass! [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Incognito-Live-London-DVD/dp/B0034KVTKS/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1280508414&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Incognito-Live-Lon...8414&sr=1-1[/url]

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='910473' date='Jul 30 2010, 05:42 PM']You seen the Incognito 30th Anniversary DVD yet? Well worth a look/listen I reckon. [/quote] Just ordered it!

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='910473' date='Jul 30 2010, 05:42 PM']You seen the Incognito 30th Anniversary DVD yet? Well worth a look/listen I reckon. [/quote] Wow, I'll take a look. Been listening to the previous album on Spotify. They've still got it.

I play guitar, but bass is my main instrument. I make music with the bass, so I'm therefore a musician. I'm off to make Nige's chicken recipe.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='910112' date='Jul 30 2010, 11:42 AM']Well at first i'd say "oi, i'm not a drummer, I just play 'cos we can't find one" but people didn't get that I was joking based on the musicians hierarchy - The general public don't see drummers as crazy idiots, so i'm ok with it! I think the more worrying thing is that the general public haven't been educated in the ways of the drummer.[/quote] 'Table drummer'. Now that's different.

[quote name='cheddatom' post='910094' date='Jul 30 2010, 11:32 AM']I don't care. Whatever people want to call me. I've always thought of myself as a bassist, but people call me a drummer these days, and I started on guitar.[/quote] I would never like to be called a drummer.

I used to have one of these. Great sound but the 500w output is a bit of a con, as very few people run cabs down to 2 ohms. £200 is a good price, I reckon.

[quote name='silddx' post='910060' date='Jul 30 2010, 11:12 AM']As the title says really. Also do you see one of those terms as subservient to the other? Because I do. Do you prefer to be referred to as a MUSICIAN or a BASSIST. I read an interview a long while back with a celebrated guitarist who I don't remember the name of, who felt deeply insulted when referred to as a "guitar player". He said "I'm a 'guitarist' not a 'guitar player'!", something to do with him being a [i]musician[/i] rather than an [i]instrument operator[/i]. Art versus craft perhaps.[/quote] I'm a musician who happens to play bass.

I'm trying to sell a left-handed Cort active bass, quite mint, for a young girl. I think it's a bargain at £99. Our local Cash Converter offered her £15.

Sunshine Of Your Love.

Warwick FNA Jazzman 5, Ibanez BTB 5, Musicman Bongo 5. Couldn't get on with them.

For me it will always be the appearance of Mark King on The Tube, playing the solo slap piece, that started people talking about him, and that bass he played was a Jaydee. From then on, I remember stocking those basses in our shop and selling every one quickly. The problems came when Diggins produced a batch of basses (metallic finish, as I recall), and the lacquer or paint was faulty, causing him to recall them. Apparently, it almost bankrupted him at the time.

Love it!