dominant_7th.pdf

FENDER PLAYERS CLUB FUNK

GROOVING ON DOMINANT SEVENTH CHORD SHAPES

At some point during a given gig, somebody will decide that it's time to "get the funk out." Familiarizing yourself with

funky strumming patterns (reminiscent of Jimmy Nolan's rhythm work with James Brown, for example) will pay off in a

big way. A typical Nolan-style funk guitar part is characterized by relentless sixteenth-note scratches, offset with

syncopated chord stabs from the dominant seventh family (E7, E9, E7#9, etc.). These chord stabs are often either

synchronized with the band's horn section or used to fill in the cracks left behind by the other musicians' parts. The

bottom line is that the guitar's role is more rhythmic and percussive than harmonic. When tackling the following figure,

keep your strumming hand loose, rotating it at the wrist as you alternate between down- and upstrokes.

AUDIO-funky1.mp3

AUDIO-funky2.mp3

The next figure is played with a sixteenth-note swing feel. This approach to interpreting funky rhythms is often referred to

as New Jack Swing, or "swunk" (short for "swing-funk"). If you're unfamiliar with this bouncy feel, use the provided audio

source as a guide. Your ears will definitely be familiar with this type of funk groove.

AUDIO-funky3.mp3

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FENDER PLAYERS CLUB FUNK

FUNKY CHORD PARTIALS

In funk, chord partials are also frequently used to juice up a guitar part. These types of two- or three-note sonorities add

more meat to a riff, oftentimes harmonizing a single-note figure in the process.

Overall, the first of the following two figures implies an E7#9 sound. The second figure is more appropriate for minor-key

funk, as it implies an Em7 chord and is rooted in E Dorian (E-F#-G-A-B-C#-D).

AUDIO-funky4.mp3

AUDIO-funky5.mp3

FUNKY SINGLE-NOTE RIFFS

Single-note riffs are also a common characteristic of funk. These types of passages often involve tricky syncopations, and

include everything from muted notes and double stops to phrasing devices like hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and string

bends. Most guitarists who play funk choose to add extra grit to these types of riffs by aggressively smacking the majority

of the guitar's strings while using fret-hand muting to dampen the adjacent strings, allowing only the intended notes to

get out. These funk figures are frequently treated with effects like wah-wah, phase shifter, and envelope filter, and are

occasionally doubled an octave lower by the bass guitar.

This first pair of single-note funk figures occurs in the fifth position, and involves pitches from either A minor pentatonic

(A-C-D-E-G) or A Dorian (A-B-C-D-E-F#-G). Of course, since these riffs involve fretted notes exclusively, they can easily be

moved to accommodate any other key. Try playing both of these funk riffs using your fret-hand's thumb to grab the root on

the sixth string (a la Jimi Hendrix). For maximum funkiness, employ a wah-wah pedal, rocking your foot to the treble

position with each beat (just like you're tapping your foot).

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FENDER PLAYERS CLUB FUNK

AUDIO-funky6.mp3

AUDIO-funky7.mp3

This lesson is from:

The Guitarist's Survival Kit: Everything You Need to Know to Be a Working Musician

by Dale Turner.

From repertoire to accompaniment patterns to licks, this book is fully stocked to give

you the confidence knowing you can 'get by' and survive, regardless of the situation.

The book covers: songs and set lists; gear; rhythm riffs in styles from blues to funk to

rock to metal; lead licks in blues, country, jazz & rock styles; transposition and more.

The CD features 99 demonstration tracks, and the book includes standard notation

and tab.

Inventory # HL 695380. Book/CD pack $14.95 (US).

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