Pete Academy Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 We have Bootsy's Funk University and countless books and DVDs. You can show people riffs and try to explain ghosts notes and playing 'on the one', but I still think you have to listen and immerse yourself in this style for a long period before you can master it. Any thoughts on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Not this one again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Can Rock be taught? Can Indie be taught? Jazz......that's a whole different thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Funk is about economy of notes, great drummers, great front people and most of all great weed. Ooops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 [quote name='steve-soar' post='1347429' date='Aug 21 2011, 07:47 PM']Funk is about economy of notes, great drummers, great front people and most of all great weed. Ooops![/quote] Somewhat similar to reggae too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 [quote name='Rasta' post='1347430' date='Aug 21 2011, 07:48 PM']Somewhat similar to reggae too [/quote] It's all about the lambs bread brother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) This one is different from 'groove'. Everyone likes to think they have mastered, say, slap and can play funky, but it's far removed from that. So, do you think it can be taught, and if so, how? Edited August 21, 2011 by Pete Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I'd say to some extent it can Pete, I'm no funkster really but I bet if we sat down for a couple of hours you could get me sounding a lot tighter, after that it would depend on natural talent and the effort/time I could put into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) I hope that you can teach funk because I want to learn it Edited August 21, 2011 by Blademan_98 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 My 2p is that you can probably teach to a certain level but you cannot teach feel and groove which is a product of listening and understanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Yeah, it's a question of degree isn't it? Almost anything can be taught to some degree but there's some indefinable thing that allows people to take it further and truly excel. Isn't that how pretty much all great art works? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 So what you are all saying is, if I can't feel it, I will only get so far? How much effort do you put in before deciding that you will never make it as a funk player? I am being serious, as I really would like to join a funk band. I've been listening and playing along to various bands (Earth, Wind and Fire being a fav at the moment). Cheers Blademan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironside1966 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 (edited) I think most people understand that funk is not a rapid succession of slapped sixtieth notes and triplets, that can easily be taught by repartition. One the student fully understands the mechanics of rhythm it unravels the mysteries of a lot of music including Latin, African. You can give the student exercises to improve timing, playing on, in front and behind the beat. But I would not rule out the importance of listening to other players. Edited August 21, 2011 by ironside1966 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Not all funk is slapping! (and not a slap is funk.....) There are times when a bit of slap and pop is called for but listening to 70's funk bands, they are not all slap fests! They have solid rhythm and play to the groove. Unless I am totally of track and should give up all hope of a funk slot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 [quote name='Blademan_98' post='1347482' date='Aug 21 2011, 08:38 PM']So what you are all saying is, if I can't feel it, I will only get so far? How much effort do you put in before deciding that you will never make it as a funk player? I am being serious, as I really would like to join a funk band. I've been listening and playing along to various bands (Earth, Wind and Fire being a fav at the moment). Cheers Blademan[/quote] I really think you need to listen to this kind of music for some time to be able to master it. The same with reggae. Play along to the great funk bands and you will grasp it eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 [quote name='Blademan_98' post='1347496' date='Aug 21 2011, 08:46 PM']Not all funk is slapping! (and not a slap is funk.....) There are times when a bit of slap and pop is called for but listening to 70's funk bands, they are not all slap fests! They have solid rhythm and play to the groove. Unless I am totally of track and should give up all hope of a funk slot [/quote] Its a product of immersing yourself in different aspects of the genre and understanding where funks origins lie. There is also the whole sub genre thing - jazz funk, latin funk, soul funk even acid jazz to a degree. I guess i am saying that it wont happen overnight but the more you listen the more things will start to rub off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted August 21, 2011 Author Share Posted August 21, 2011 [quote name='BottomE' post='1347504' date='Aug 21 2011, 08:52 PM']Its a product of immersing yourself in different aspects of the genre and understanding where funks origins lie. There is also the whole sub genre thing - jazz funk, latin funk, soul funk even acid jazz to a degree. I guess i am saying that it wont happen overnight but the more you listen the more things will start to rub off.[/quote] Exactly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 I have to agree that groove and funk is definitely something that can be taught, but to get it right it has to be felt. Groove is felt, and listening to a lot of groove/funk will help, it should give you an understanding about rhythm and note placement. Bubinga 5 often puts up amazing funk groove finds which are amazing to listen to. Ultimately you have or you don't, but that doesn't mean you'll be bot at playing it! Don't forget, Bootsy feels groove, after all, its all he plays so he's bound to be good at it! Listen, practice, play and feel the notes! Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonbass Posted August 21, 2011 Share Posted August 21, 2011 Maceo Parker said the hardest thing for him was learning to play on beat one of the bar. So even the greats have to 'learn' funk to an extent. A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 (edited) Well when applied to bass, according to this famous italian bassist / teacher it can be taught. In this video he demonstrates 7 different level of funk technique from beginner to advanced (also check out his other videos) I warn you this guy is a monter! I know what you are all saying now, and yeah that's exactly what I said after watching that video, "f*** me!" do you still wanna play bass now? Edited August 22, 2011 by Grand Wazoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 No, you've got to grow up and be listening to that kind of music, it's got to be in your blood. You can't teach a 'feel', which is what funk is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1347698' date='Aug 22 2011, 01:33 AM']I know what you are all saying now, and yeah that's exactly what I said after watching that video, "f*** me!" do you still wanna play bass now? [/quote] While technically flawless I don't really see how that is supposed to help someone wanting to get a better grip with Funk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy_Marsh Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 I'm not too sure about that video Wazoo. It has funky elements, but then just descends into a mass of double thumbing... Not very funky when compared to say, Bootsy But to be honest I'd love to be able to play up to his level 3! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 [quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='1347698' date='Aug 22 2011, 01:33 AM']Well when applied to bass, according to this famous italian bassist / teacher it can be taught. In this video he demonstrates 7 different level of funk technique from beginner to advanced (also check out his other videos) I warn you this guy is a monter! I know what you are all saying now, and yeah that's exactly what I said after watching that video, "f*** me!" do you still wanna play bass now? [/quote] That's not funk. That's another happy-go-slap youtube'er who thinks he's go something going on, but there's no space, there is no rhythmic interest and it's far too conceited. Simplicity seems to be the hardest thing for most bass players to get to grips with when talking about this kind of music. Funk isn't some kind of magic formula that you plug into and suddenly play. There's also no prerequisite to suddenly start slapping either. This is funk. Not super tight, not super polished, but this is what people should be aiming for: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Posted August 22, 2011 Share Posted August 22, 2011 [quote name='risingson' post='1347710' date='Aug 22 2011, 02:06 AM']That's not funk. That's another happy-go-slap youtube'er who thinks he's go something going on, but there's no space, there is no rhythmic interest and it's far too conceited. Simplicity seems to be the hardest thing for most bass players to get to grips with when talking about this kind of music. Funk isn't some kind of magic formula that you plug into and suddenly play. There's also no prerequisite to suddenly start slapping either. This is funk. Not super tight, not super polished, but this is what people should be aiming for: [/quote] That's much more like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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