Learn To Play Top 20 Funk Basslines
Song Lessons in this Course
This Course is Ideal for Players Who...
Our Learn To Play Top 20 Funk Basslines course is essential for any bassist who wants to understand the foundations of funk music and develop the groove, feel, and technique that the genre demands. Whether you are a beginner bass guitarist taking your first steps into funk, or an intermediate player looking to deepen your understanding of rhythm and syncopation, this course will meet you where you are and take you further.
Perfect for Bassists Who:
- Are passionate fans of classic funk, soul, and disco and want to play the songs that move them
- Want to understand how the greatest funk basslines are constructed and why they work so powerfully
- Are looking to improve their rhythmic feel, timing, and develop a tighter, more consistent groove
- Admire the genius of legendary funk bassists like Bernard Edwards, Nathan Watts, Verdine White, Jaco Pastorius, and Marcus Miller
- Want to learn note-for-note funk bass guitar lessons from a professional tutor in an online, on-demand format
- Are keen to explore slap bass technique and the more advanced side of funk bass playing
This course is about the soul of funk bass playing. It is about understanding how the greatest bassists in funk history approached the instrument — as the rhythmic engine, the melodic anchor, and the emotional heartbeat of the music all at once. From the deep, soulful grooves of James Brown and Isaac Hayes to the sophisticated, jazz-tinged bass work of Jaco Pastorius and Marcus Miller, this course covers the full spectrum of what funk bass can be. You will gain an unparalleled insight into the musical choices of funk’s greatest low-end players, and learn how their playing created the foundation for songs that remain as irresistible and influential today as the day they were recorded. Whether you are new to the bass or looking to add serious depth to your playing, Learn To Play Top 20 Funk Basslines with LickLibrary is the course that will put you in the pocket.
What will I achieve from completing this course?
Learning to play these twenty classic funk basslines is a masterclass in groove, rhythm, and musicality. This course will transform your rhythmic precision, expand your technical toolkit, and give you the deep pocket feel that defines great funk bass playing. By the time you complete this course, you will have twenty timeless funk anthems in your repertoire and a thorough understanding of the techniques and musical thinking that make funk bass so compelling.
Technical Skills You’ll Develop:
- Mastery of driving funk rhythms, including tight sixteenth-note patterns and syncopated phrasing
- The ability to play with a bouncing, infectious groove that locks in with the drum kit
- Execution of melodic basslines using the Mixolydian, Major, and minor pentatonic scales
- Proficiency in galloping rhythms and the ability to maintain pocket feel at a range of tempos
- Expressive use of slides, hammer-ons, and pull-offs to add fluidity and character to your lines
- Application of chromaticism in a funk context to create tension, colour, and forward motion
- The ability to use open-string riffs to create a brighter, more percussive bass sound
- A deep understanding of octave melodies and how they create memorable, hook-driven bass parts
- Introduction to slap and pop technique as used by Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, and Level 42’s Mark King
- The confidence to perform some of the most iconic and groove-driven funk songs ever recorded, note-for-note
WE CAN HELP...
1-ON-1 COACHING
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** Disclaimer **
*This product is not endorsed by or made in association with any of the artists featured, nor do they perform or appear on this course.*
Learn to Play Top 20 Funk Basslines
If you're a bassist looking to dive into the world of funk music, or a seasoned player hoping to add some new tunes to your repertoire, our "Learn to Play Top 20 Funk Basslines" course, taught by Phil Williams, is your ultimate resource. This in-depth course provides note-for-note lessons for iconic songs including "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder, "Good Times" by Chic, "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge, "Brick House" by The Commodores and many more.
"I Wish" - Stevie Wonder
"I Wish," a single by Stevie Wonder, features an unforgettable, catchy bassline played by none other than the legendary Nathan Watts. This song is characterized by its bouncing, syncopated bassline that anchors the song's melodic structure. It is an excellent example of the use of the Mixolydian scale in a funk context, with Watts skillfully dancing around the D Mixolydian scale, while adding distinctive embellishments. His rhythmically dense style adds to the groove, making this bassline one to aspire to.
"Good Times" - Chic
The Chic classic "Good Times," provides a rhythmic playground for bass players. Bernard Edwards' bassline is one of the most sampled basslines in popular music. His iconic bassline emphasizes the root and fifth of the E9 chord and is played primarily in the E Mixolydian mode. Edwards' use of octave melodies and galloping rhythms throughout the song demonstrates his tight rhythmic precision and melodic sensibilities.
"September" - Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire's "September" bassline, played by Verdine White, is an incredible blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic brilliance. The song revolves around an A major scale, with White utilizing a combination of open-string riffs and syncopated rhythms to create a vibrant, dancing bassline that complements the song's bright, joyous melody. His energetic stage presence and passion for his craft resonate in his playing, truly embodying the essence of funk.
"We Are Family" - Sister Sledge
In "We Are Family," Bernard Edwards of Chic fame once again proves his mastery. The song incorporates the use of chromaticism within the bassline, creating a unique texture within the E major scale. Edwards' creative use of slides and hammer-ons amplifies the groove, serving as a textbook example of a driving disco-funk bassline.
"Brick House" - The Commodores
"Brick House" by The Commodores is another iconic funk anthem with a bassline to match. The bassist Ronald LaPread, with his keen sense of rhythm and a knack for creating punchy, tight lines, uses the E minor pentatonic scale as the song's basis. His approach to the rhythm, which combines syncopated rhythms with clever slides and pull-offs, showcases the versatility of the bass guitar in a funk setting.
Each of these songs, with their own unique and characteristic basslines, represents the wide variety of styles and techniques that make up the rich tapestry of funk music. The featured bassists - Nathan Watts, Bernard Edwards, Verdine White, and Ronald LaPread - have made invaluable contributions to the world of funk, each bringing their distinct styles, rhythmic intuition, and technical skills to the table. Their legendary performances serve as the perfect platform for any bassist looking to delve deeper into the realm of funk.
Techniques Used
Throughout the course, you'll be introduced to and guided through the application of various bass techniques which have been used by the greats, helping you enhance your bass playing skills. Let's summarize the techniques covered:
- Syncopated Rhythms
- Octave Melodies
- Galloping Rhythms
- Open-string Riffs
- Chromaticism
- Slides
- Hammer-ons
- Pull-offs
With "Learn to Play Top 20 Funk Basslines," you are not only learning these basslines, you are learning to incorporate these techniques into your own playing. This makes the course an invaluable resource for anyone looking to develop their bass playing skills while having a lot of fun in the process. Dive in and let the funky basslines flow!
