Let's Play Funk Guitar

I love to play any music with a groove, and groove comes from good repetition of rhythm and human feel. Years ago I learned to appreciate grooving when I played in a funk band; I played rhythm only - no solos. That experience was invaluable to my development as a guitarist. It's very important to work on rhythm, but unfortunately most guitarists are only interested on their soloing. A good technique to achieve good rhythm skills is to practice with only a drummer.

When you play funk rhythms, first lay down a simple two bar rhythm pattern that you can repeat, something catchy so you can appreciate the groove. Play like a bass player and resist the temptation to change the pattern. Play a groove which makes people dance. A good example that is the epitome of groove is the tune Power from Earth, Wind & Fire's album Last Days and Time.

When you practice funk set a metronome on the back beat, a half-note=40-60, so the accent is on 2 and 4 like a snare drum.

Example 1
Practice 8th note exercise with down-up motion from the forearm, not the wrist.
Always start with alternate picking and don't stop the motion.
After each 8th note release the strings to create a staccato like effect.

After you master letter a. then try rhythm displacement with muted notes in letters b. through e.

Example 2
When you play a funky R&B tune that has a one chord vamp you can play similar to this example.

Example 3
This exemplifies scratchy, muted sounds and one note on the 5th string. Use 1st and 4th fingers so that you can use 2nd and 3rd fingers for muting, which eliminates all harmonics.

Example 4
This is a bass slapping technique which sounds like Larr Graham on "Pow", the first player to introduce funk slapping bass.
R = Right hand slap - don't hit too hard
L = Left hand mute by hitting the strings
R.H. = Right hand hit - Fold fingers - use the tips of fingers to hit the strubgs
R.P. = Right 1st finger pull