Learn To Play Top 20 Funk Basslines

Bass Lesson Course Overview

Embark on a groovy journey with LickLibrary's Phil Williams comprehensive course, "Learn To Play Top 20 Funk Basslines." This meticulously crafted set of tutorials is designed to usher you into the world of funk, spotlighting the iconic basslines that defined a genre. From the genius of Stevie Wonder to the disco allure of Chic, each lesson is a deep dive into the techniques, scales, and musical sensibilities employed by some of the greatest bassists in music history.

Bass Lessons Include:

Stevie Wonder: I Wish 

Chic: Good Times 

Earth, Wind & Fire: September 

Sister Sledge: We Are Family 

Jamiroquai: Too Young To Die 

Rose Royce: Car Wash 

Donny Hathaway: The Ghetto Pt.1 

Jaco Pastorius: Come On Come Over 

Level 42: The Sun Goes Down (Living It Up) 

Marcus Miller: Run For Cover 

Patrice Rushen: Forget Me Nots 

Steely Dan: The Fez 

The Commodores: Brick House 

The Average White Band: Pick Up The Pieces 

Isaac Hayes: Theme From Shaft 

James Brown: I Got You (I Feel Good) 

Stanley Clarke: School Days 

The Brothers Johnson: Stomp! 

Ian Dury & The Blockheads: Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick 

The Jackson 5: ABC 

Lesson Performance Notes

Stevie Wonder - I Wish

"I Wish" showcases the inimitable style of Nathan Watts, Stevie Wonder's long-time bassist. The song is anchored in a fundamental funk pattern, employing the E minor pentatonic scale, and is a testament to rhythmic precision. This bassline is busy and requires a tight grip on syncopation. The lesson delves into the importance of pocket playing and maintaining groove consistency.

Chic - Good Times

Bernard Edwards' work on "Good Times" is the epitome of disco-funk. The lesson focuses on the bassline that forms the foundation for many subsequent hip-hop and pop tracks. Rooted in the A minor scale, this line demands a mastery of timing. You'll learn the significance of spacing and note duration, exploring how Edwards' choice to let certain notes ring while muting others contributes to the song's danceable quality.

Earth, Wind & Fire - September

Verdine White's dynamic playing on "September" is integral to Earth, Wind & Fire's infectious sound. The song, primarily in the A major scale, is an exercise in octaves and rhythmic diversity. This tutorial highlights the elements of slap and pop, as well as the necessity for fluid transitions between different positions on the fretboard.

Sister Sledge - We Are Family

"We Are Family," another masterpiece from Bernard Edwards, employs a bassline that's both melodic and foundational. The D major scale guides this track, and the lesson emphasizes the interplay between the bass and the vocal melody, demonstrating how a great bassline can simultaneously support and drive a song's harmony.

Jamiroquai - Too Young To Die

Stuart Zender's bassline in "Too Young To Die" is a blend of jazz and funk, making extensive use of the E minor scale. The tutorial explores the subtleties of ghost notes and off-beat playing, illustrating how a bassline can contribute to a song's feel without always taking the center stage.

And Many More...

The course also explores other seminal funk basslines, each lesson breaking down the intricacies of style, technique, and theory that contribute to the genre's unique sound. Understanding the scales employed, whether they're pentatonic, blues, or modes, is crucial in these lessons, as is grasping the rhythmic frameworks like syncopation and groove emphasis that make funk so distinctive.

The Bassists: Unsung Heroes of Groove

Behind these timeless tracks were bassists whose contributions were pivotal to the songs' successes. Players like Nathan Watts, Bernard Edwards, Verdine White, and Stuart Zender brought their unique flavors to the mix. They understood that a great bassline doesn't just complement; it elevates a track. Their ability to balance complexity with rhythm, to play notes that were felt as much as they were heard, is a testament to their musical mastery. This course pays homage to their contributions, spotlighting the techniques and creative insights they brought to each song.

Techniques Utilized in Funk Basslines

Throughout these lessons, a myriad of bass techniques come to the fore. Each contributes to the dexterity and skill required to master the funk style. Below is a list of techniques highlighted in the tutorials, complete with links for further exploration:

• Vibrato
• Legato
• Pull-offs
• Hammer-ons
• Slides
• Double-stops
• Syncopated rhythms
• Palm muting
• Finger picking
• Octave melodies
• Chromaticism

Dive into the realm of funk with "Learn To Play Top 20 Funk Basslines," and emerge with not just an understanding, but a feel for what makes this genre eternally compelling.