More of this Feature • Part 1: funk guitar primer • Part 2: funk chords • Part 4: funk riffs

Join the Discussion "What songs groove the most? Add your opinion to a list that includes Cut the Cake, Sissy Strut, Green Onions, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, and other funk classics" SONIC93

Related Resources • Play Like B.B. King • Learning to Love Jazz • Beginner Improvisation

Elsewhere on the Web • Funk Shuffle Lesson • Essential Funk Albums

You want to know the real secret of playing great funk guitar? It's ALL about paying attention to the rhythmic aspect of the music. Many funk songs consist of only a simple melody, and a couple chords (maybe even one chord), so the groove of the song has to be strong to maintain listener interest. It is important that we understand and acknowledge the fundamental role of most funk music - to get people dancing, or at least feeling like they want to dance. You'll have a harder time accomplishing this with intricate and flashy guitar parts. So, you'll need to give your ego a rest, and focus on locking in a rhythmic groove with your band.

All the lessons in the world won't help you play funk well, unless you know the music intimately. Let's take some time to explore various songs, and the approach the guitarist takes in each. There are several philosophies of playing funk rhythm guitar. One is a minimalist approach, which involves only strumming the guitar to play the necessary notes. Let's have a closer look.

Minimalist Funk & Funk Guitar

Often, somewhat misleadingly, referred to as "black funk" (because, initially, more African Americans took an interest in this approach to funk music), the concept here is "play what you need to play, and get out of the way". Applied to funk guitar, this means leaving a LOT of space, without trying to fill it up with muted strumming, etc. The concentration is on how the guitar fits in rhythmically with the other instruments - horns, drums, bass... Give a listen to the following mp3 clips, and see what I mean:

James Brown - Sex Machine mp3
Notice the guitar player is playing NO muted strums in this part - simply repeating a four strum figure. Many of us, when playing a part like this, would feel a natural desire to include muted 16th note strums within the part. Avoid doing this.

The Meters - Just Kissed My Baby mp3
The guitar plays a single note line here, but again, is very minimal, and disciplined in that it does not stray from the exact riff.

The JB's - Pa-arty mp3
This song sounds "busier", and there are two guitarists, but listen to each of them, and you'll note they're repeating the exact same parts again and again, with no variation. Another example of the need for discipline in funk music. Pay attention to all instruments here - everyone plays their specific part, which adds to the whole.

"Busy" Funk

This approach is a little different - perhaps a little less disciplined than the above way of playing funk. There is less space in this style of music, and guitar players in this style tend to play a lot more muted string strums, etc. The result is a groove that usually feels a little less laid-back, and more "frantic". Have a listen to a few songs in this style:

Tower of Power - What is Hip? mp3
Really active bass and drums give this song it's somewhat frenzied, albeit very funky sound. The guitar player wisely stays largely out of the way, keeping muted strumming to a minimum (too many musicians being too busy at once can yield disasterous results).

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Superstition mp3
SRV's take on the Stevie Wonder classic is a great example of this style of funk music. Vaughan fills up the space in the music with muted string strums, used to propell the music forward.

Graham Central Station - The Jam mp3
Bassist Larry Graham leads this one, and it's another example of very robust, in your face funk, with little left to the imagination. Lots of busy strumming by the guitar player.

Online Funk Rhythm Lessons

Now you've listened to some great examples of various kinds of funk and funk guitar, you might want to practice your funk rhythm chops a bit. Have a look at some or all of the following sites:

Cyberfret.com: Funk Guitar 101
Designed to help you practice your 16th note funk strums. Good for "busier" funk music.

GuitarPlayer.com: Funked Up Shuffles
Short n' sweet lesson with some slightly tricky rhythmic patterns for funk guitar. Good for learning the more minimal style of funk guitar playing.

MelBooker Music: Funk 101
Really brief lesson, but there are a few things here worth practicing. With audio clips and tab.

Wholenote.com: Funk Guitar Lessons
User submitted lessons - some of which are better than others. Include audio clips and tab.

Next page > Funk Riff Tabs > Page 1, 2, 3, 4