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← All stylesStyle · opens at Stage 4

Funk

16th-note grooves, chord stabs and staying in the pocket.

Level 1 · from Stage 4Player

The pocket

  • 16th-note scratch rhythm
  • 9th and minor 7th grooves
  • Single-note riffs

Milestone: Hold a groove for two minutes without a timing slip.

Needs: 16th-note grooves, Barre chords · about 8 hours

Level 2 · from Stage 7Pro

Funk vocabulary

  • Triads and double stops on the top strings
  • Dorian and Mixolydian vamps
  • Chord stabs and space

Milestone: Play a funk rhythm part with fills.

Needs: Triads & embellishments, Modes and Level 1 · about 12 hours

Level 3 · from Stage 7Pro

Lead and interplay

  • Funk solos built on space
  • Call and response with bass and drums
  • Complex syncopation

Milestone: Switch between rhythm and lead in one groove.

Needs: Playing the changes, Shells, drop 2 & style grooves and Level 2 · about 16 hours

Free taster

Hear it, try it

A typical funk phrase and a backing track to play along with. Everyone can use these, on any plan.

Single-note riff (E Dorian)
100 BPM
e|------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------------------------------|
G|------------------------------------------------|
D|-------2-----2--4-----2--------2-----2--4-----2-|
A|------------------------------------------------|
E|-0--x-----0--------x-----0--x-----0--------x----|
Backing track
Tempo
100 BPM
1Em7i7
2Em7i7
3A9IV9
4A9IV9
Feel: swung 16ths · 4 bars, loops
Target notes: Em7 → G (♭3) · A9 → C♯ (3)
What you’ll work on

Harmony: One- and two-chord vamps: m7, 7, 9, 13, 7♯9. Dorian and Mixolydian grooves.

Scales: Dorian, Mixolydian, minor pentatonic, chord tones of the vamp.

Technique: 16th-note strumming with muted scratches, short chops, single-note riffs, perfect time against the hi-hat.

Players to listen to

Nile Rodgers, Jimmy Nolen, Cory Wong, Prince, Eddie Hazel.

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