Funk Tutorial - Intermediate video free download


310,465
Duration: 05:08
Uploaded: 2010/09/01

This video offers an exploration into different harmonic and rhythmic possibilities to use after you've started to develop a solo. Remember, start with a solid foundation first and then build on it. As Volvoxburger says, "Don't come in burning--let the groove lay in". After you've been grooving for a while, then you might want to think about adding some of the techniques displayed in this video.

Note the heavy use of quick "side-stepping" into adjacent pentatonic scales, as well as exploring the 1/2 step - whole step (sometimes referred to as 1/2 diminished) scale. I have also decided to add a "B" section where I sustain and change the chords to a F#-7/B (Bsus7) then to a B7 add 13. I also throw a B7 with #11 in there.

The improvisation is still all about phrasing that makes sense, tension and release, and telling a story (composing).

I have added a short section at the end which briefly re-caps the scales and chords used in the video.

A midi file of my solo and a PDF notation file of my solo and the .MP3 backing track used in this video are available here:

http://www.Lot2Learn.com

Notes:

Thanks to Jamal and www.MIDIKeyz.com for the on-screen midi keyboard display.

FP-4 keyboard controlling Lounge Lizard VSTi.

Comments

8 years ago

odradek

Great, thank to this video I finally understood how Herbie Hancock and Uri Caine obtain that "suspended" feeling (I mean when in min 0:19 you use Cmin pentatonic) is that the secret? using min pentatonic a half-tone up the root chord? and another question: that diminished chord sequence at 0:39...what chords are they? why do you use them? please, help me undestand, thank you so much and...congratulations.Stefano

8 years ago

loydaza

Very inspiring. Great great great playing.

8 years ago

Marco Vasco

Intermediate.... LOOOOOOOOL :)

9 years ago

Fábio Rocha

Shut up and take my attention! Lord that crispy information! Thank you! Very nice bro!

9 years ago

jonescrusher1

A very generous share, lovely playing

9 years ago

Germanklaus 123

I´d rather call it Jazz Fusion. Sounds good though!!

9 years ago

Uncle Brizz

As soon as I heard that bass, I knew it was going to be funky! Great playing, my friend! You got me movin'!

9 years ago

phosphore

Remeber me a John scodfield tune,great playing!

9 years ago

ARCODEMUSIC

They don't like what they don't understand

9 years ago

thebp9999

How could you not like this? wtf is wrong with people?

9 years ago

Rodrick Meyer

Diminished chords with a major 7. Bad ass.

9 years ago

Juan Carrasco rodriguez

gracias

10 years ago

Zsigmond Varga

You are really good. Many thanks :)

10 years ago

jerome taylor

Actually, it's an improvised jazzy style piano solo with a funk rhythm and bass accompaniment (ala Herbie Hancock, George Duke) Nicely done though!

10 years ago

Mark Pierce

Hi. Great stuff here, but I'm a little puzzled by the diminished sequence. It sounds great, but the part that I'm puzzled by is the seeming major 7th in each chord. Normally a diminished 7th is minor 3rds stacked. For example, in root position, C diminished 7 is C, Eb, Gb, A. So, when you play in Eb:, Eb, ( left hand ) A, D, F#, the D does not seem to fit. Again, not the way it sounds, that's great. I'm just trying to figure out how to think of it in the broader scheme of things. Adding this note does open up some new ideas for me, soloing wise, but I wonder, how do you think of the Major 7 in these chords, and how would they be annotated properly? Thanks again, you really have influenced my playing a lot. 

10 years ago

artbarton

Great tutorial, I'm gonna learn this! However not quite sure I'm an intermediate player yet, but I'll give it a try!

10 years ago

MusicianPianist

Not bad, but this is not a funk. It is funk with jazz rhythm style, but i like it!

10 years ago

mongool1234567

have to say that this is not funk. this is funk played by jazz. I hate that jazzbands always do things like, no we go bluesy and that they play a blues scheme wich is clearly played with jazz scalesIt's still very impressive what you're playing but it's just a thing I regularly see wich annoys me

10 years ago

David Alsh

This is awesome, I just bought your midi and will practice religiously. How do you know what scale to improv in? How do you know what scales to change to when you are playing?

10 years ago

Lot2learn

I greatly appreciate your comment - thanks!

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