How to Play a Funk Groove 2 (Funk Groove in G) Early Rough Draft
I’ve been trying to get to this for a while, but it was never quiet enough in the house, or there was too much going on. I finally got a quick recording of this chart along with the backing track so you can get a feel for how it sounds with all the parts. I’m working on a set of free lessons that will break this (and the first funk groove in C, and the funk groove in F) down into pieces with tips on how to get the feel right, some practice techniques for getting the more technically challenging parts under your fingers, and some of the voicing and theory that makes it all work.
I’m eager for early feedback on how these lessons would benefit you the most, so don’t hesitate to either comment or contact me directly with any suggestions or requests for these upcoming series.
Check back (or subscribe to my youtube channel) for these upcoming series!
18. January 2009 at 06:50
Hi,
will start practicing that soon :)
How are you doing the drums and will it be possible to download that as well in different speeds?
it would also be great if this piece would be available for the Groove Tutor by Dirk Bertels. Any plans about that?
regards
johannes
18. January 2009 at 12:32
Ah — good point on the drums and bass — I forgot to attach them! Later tonight (when I have some free time), I’ll update this post with links to the backing tracks at a few speeds.
As to how I do them, I use a free program called “The Buzz” (buzzmachines.com) and program all of the drums and bass using that. It’s a little different from most programs used for this, but in some ways it’s really nice. I used to only use it for Electronica (for which its perfectly suited), but have found that it works well for other genres too…
28. January 2009 at 15:04
Dear Jonathon. Thanks a lot for this amazing groove and spending time for helping me and other people to improve their piano skills. How do get this complex harmonic material? Just by ear and improvisation or do you search in a specific manner for these riffs? Do you have any tips for finding such a nice stuff? Best regards…
28. January 2009 at 19:59
Hey Cheese –
I grew up playing Jazz and listening to a lot of fusion stuff. Then, later, I ended up playing more straight blues and funk. I think this is the weird result of combining the two.
The complex harmonies/voicings are mostly from the jazz side of the house. Listen to some Chick Corea on keys, or someone like Alan Holdsworth or Scott Henderson on Guitar. There’s almost no end to the stuff to listen to…
Hey, I also realize I’m seriously slacking on getting those drum/bass backing parts up. Work’s been a bear lately. I’ll get to it :)
29. January 2009 at 13:10
First, Jonathan, thank you so much for your videos, your lessons are so much fun.
I notice that the you/tube links are not working, I hope that is a mistake?
29. January 2009 at 13:19
Hey Kathy — Yes, this is currently a problem with the Expert Village videos (First Funk Groove and the 30 Blues Licks). EV has told me that the problems are temporary and that the videos will be back online soon. In the meantime, you can still see all of the videos at the expert village site itself here:
http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/2604_funk-piano.htm
and
http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/2762_Jonnie-piano.htm
29. January 2009 at 14:25
Thanks you so much, I am addicted to your lessons, you are the BEST!!!! out there, I have learned more from a few lessons from you than years of traditional study.
30. January 2009 at 18:53
I love this jazzy funk stuff (as I do all the funk Jonathon plays) – it’s exceptional music and amazingly inspiring. Hence …
I’ve included some sections of these G funk grooves in my Piano Groove Tutor. For those interested, you can download it at http://www.dirkbertels.net/computing/dbTutor.php#chap_04
31. January 2009 at 12:06
Hi Jonathon, would you mind also putting the Buzzmachine files you created online? i downloaded the software but it seems to be quite difficult for beginners…
31. January 2009 at 14:14
I can, but it may not help, as you also need the specific software synths (easy as they’re all free) and sample libraries (harder, because they’re big files). I’ll see what I can assemble.
What I really ought to do is to do some instructional series’ on using this tool — it’s a good one, and once you get over the learning curve, it’s a really valuable tool.
I did actually build all of the backing tracks at various tempos, but ran out of time to MP3-ize them and upload. They should be showing up this weekend sometime, though…
31. January 2009 at 14:19
As Dirk recommends — what would be even more helpful, would be for me to provide the drums/bass backing parts as MIDI files which should play on any General MIDI sound. Let me see if I can easily do that while I’m in there…
(If you haven’t already, check out Dirk’s cool Groove Tutor stuff mentioned a few posts above. It’s pretty awesome as a training tool!)
1. February 2009 at 22:49
Ok – backing tracks are up! 4 version at tempo increments from 100bpm (full speed) down to 70bpm.
The MIDI file wasn’t an easy thing — need to dig a bit more, then I should be able to add that.
Hope this helps!
10. February 2009 at 17:02
Hey Jonathon, I sent you email to aquweb
didnt know if you got it… I enjoyed the ev
and you tubes so very much… I am disabled and
I have a cassette that I haave been trying to
cipher. for years,,, wonder if you can help??
if you have the time…. will give mre info if you
are willling…
my email l rossjohnson1948@yahoo.com
tks Ross Johnson
8. March 2009 at 10:55
I truly enjoyed this song. And I like the level of this piece, not too difficult too start and a quite challenging solo in the middle part (at least for me), but manageable.
I’m waiting full of desire for your future pieces.
Do you have any other sheet music you can recommend in this style and difficulty? (either free or not) Because I’m getting really interested in this style but I don’t really know where to begin.
8. March 2009 at 11:36
@ross – Wow – I’ve only just noticed this. Sorry for the slow response — I’m afraid I’m so busy these days, that I can’t take on anything else at the moment. There may be others who have more time than me, though –
@ingdas – Glad you liked it :) I always find recommendations tough.
Have you heard any Chick Corea from the Elektrik Band days? It’s much more ‘jazzy’ but similar, in ways, to this piece.
You might also try some Jeff Lorber stuff — although a lot of it is more ‘Wave Jazz.’
You can never go wrong with the funky hammond organ things from the likes of Jimmy Smith. Let me know what you find, as I’m short on recommendations!
Anyone else have some good tips? What are your favorite keyboard/piano funk tunes out there?
8. March 2009 at 18:21
I knew Chick Corea, I will check out Jeff Lorber.
Personally I like the Nils Landgren Funk Unit very much.
But my main search isn’t for good artists. They’re not too difficult to find with a bit of google-work. But I am in search of transcriptions of their work and solos. Or in guidebooks which learn you their techniques.
I am learning jazz, but actually I like the real funky stuff more than jazz so I’m searching how I can learn that too.
So my question is where can I find sheet music like that?
12. March 2009 at 15:31
Can’t wait for final draft :D
16. March 2009 at 11:19
hi jonathon,
can you please recommend some more good jazz artists? i want to buy some albums.
i am almost done with your groove and i wanna upload it to youtube as an answer but i have to increase speed a little bit from 70 to – lets say – 90 at least.
19. March 2009 at 09:03
Hi,
some recommendations for some good funk/jazz artists:
Herbie Hancock especially his album Fat Albert Rotunda has some great funky e.piano solos. Make sure to check out his classic songs too…Canteloupe Island, Chameleon and Watermelon Man.
Ben Folds isn’t really jazz or funk but he sometimes sticks in some great runs and licks and his songs have complex syncopation which is great practise for funk. Recommend the album Ben Folds Five.
As Jonothan recommended Jimmy Smith is a legend on the hammond organ, and also check out Jimmy McGriff.
Oscar Peterson’s piano playing is fantastic stuff. It’s jazz, not funk, but some of his runs are mind-boggling. He has a great transcription book with play-along cd.
Other funk bands to check out are The Meters, Mandrill, Bamboos, Stanton Moore.
Oh…and check out Dave Grusin’s soundtrack to The Firm…(sheet music available at musicnotes.com) there’s a couple of piano solo songs on that are very funky and similar to Jonothan’s music (e.g. Memphis Stomp, Main Title )
Other great jazz pianists to look out for are: Art Tatum, McCoy Tyner, Dave Brubeck, Ellis Marsalis, Horace Silver, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thelonius Monk, Diana Krall, Jamie Cullum etc., etc.!
23. March 2009 at 14:21
Thanks for all the sheet music and the funk groove lessons – I’m playing funkier stuff than ever now, and that’s after spending 3 years at music college!
Nice one!!
I was just wondering, can you reccomend any techniques or places where I could learn techniques for improvisation on funk / jazz /blues styles? Improv is something I’ve always been lacking on, and it would be really useful to get to grips with, because it allows flexiblity when your soloing, or in a ‘jamming’ session, rather than only being able to play stuff I’ve rehearsed.
2. March 2010 at 15:16
hey,
first at all, awesome vids! sriously they are prizeless
so after that “advanced funk groove” on youtube I have heard your “How to Play a Funk Groove 2 (Funk Groove in G) Early Rough Draft” and it just blew my mind ^^
so my question is if there is a possibility that you put the “raw version” online, without drums and stuff, in a mp³ file.
it would help me a lot!
thank you for your work, keep it up!
– jack
28. March 2010 at 07:12
Hi Jonathon
I’m a big fan of you, and Funk Groove in G is so nice. Could i be possible to get the backing drum and bass on a Sheet PDf file ?? – So I can give it to a drum and a bass player to jam it for real!
Again your teaching lessons are very cool and inspiring..
Best regards from Pelle, Denmark
2. April 2010 at 07:58
Hello Jonathon,
Just thought I’d say thanks for all the inspiration and hours of frustration trying to follow your music :)
With regards to a tutorial the most interesting bit for me is the voicing theory and technical finger work. I’m always looking out for bits of knowledge like this and your blues tutorial was great.
Wishing you and your family a happy Easter from Cambridge in the UK.
24. April 2010 at 03:54
Hi Jonathon,
I’m mastermecash from youtube and I found that page last week…..I like it very much and I learn the funk groove in f….
after I can play it, I want to play this one. I hope there will be a tutorial for this soon :)
regards
andy
24. April 2010 at 09:13
Hey @Andy! Good to have you here :) I’m actively working on the new tutorials. As I’ve said a few times, big things coming soon — they just take a while, especially with my full-time job taking up most of my time ;)
@Progeniga — Thanks so much. I actually have a plan to do some future tutorials specifically on voicings — that’s some of the most “re-usable” information there is.
@Pellebo — In the full tutorial versions, I plan to include MIDI files which include all parts, as well as sheet music for backing parts such as drums and bass… stay tuned.
@jack2 — I hadn’t considered it, but it may be valuable to have a full-tempo piano-only recording for learning purposes… I’ll try and find a good place for that in the new tutorials as well.
21. May 2010 at 13:12
Hi Jonathon,
Loving all your funk groove music! It’s really inspirational, and not only is it really fun to play, I think it’s really improved my piano playing technique. Looking forward to the new stuff you’re bringing out!
I’m StrongerTea728 on YouTube and I’m gonna have a go at recording me playing your Funk Groove in G soon.
Keep it up, and I wish you all the best with any further projects.
Cheers,
Joseph
31. May 2010 at 09:45
Hello Jonathon! Végre sikerült megtalálnom,hogy kell ide írni de nem ez a fontos hanem imádom ahogy zongorázol és persze a funky Groove is.Próbáltam utánnad csinálni de nagyon nehéz,elsősorban a ritmikával van gondom:)Kívánok neked nagyon nagyon sok erőt és egészséget,naqgyon nagy tehetség vagy!!!
Évi:)
31. May 2010 at 11:18
Köszönöm! Csak gyakoroljon!
8. July 2010 at 19:47
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14. July 2010 at 10:21
Jonathon. You are Great! Im following Your uploads since youtub/
but Your own page is the best thing about funk I find.
Full of lessons, mp3, sheet paper and interesant comments from You and Visitators.
Im studying your lessons list I done 5th lesson in one day…going to 6th today.
Your teaching purpose becomes You the best Funk Man Today.
Thanks to make it free….You are blessed I know with Your family.
Thank You very much and Bless.
14. July 2010 at 11:20
@helmusicohelmerh – Thank you so much :) I’m glad they’re helpful!
*Tons* of brand new stuff is right around the corner. I can’t wait to get home each night to work on it! An entirely new, full funk series within the next two weeks or so.