Funk Keyboard 3 (soloing)

In this lesson, we will use the Yamaha Motif synth to teach you funk licks #1-5 which you can practice and use in your playing. Each lick is meant to highlight a different concept, including pentatonic scales, blues scales, quartal voicings, “outside” playing, chromatic approach, etc. You’ll also get 2 excellent jam tracks to use in your practice. And the best part is that since these licks are built over a “ii – V” progression, you’ll be able to use them in all different styles of music – jazz, rock, funk, pop, etc.

In this lesson, we will continue teaching funk licks #6-10, this time splitting the Yamaha Motif to feature two different sounds in each hand. These licks get slightly more advanced but are still built over the Bb-7 to Eb7 chord progression (ii – V progression), meaning that you can use these licks in all styles of music.

In this lesson you will learn 5 scales that are essential when learning how to solo over a funk groove. Each chapter will present a new scale and will examine how the scale is constructed, relevant music theory information, the chords over which each scale can be used, and demonstrations of each scale using a jam track (which is also provided). Scales to be discussed include pentatonic, blues, mixolydian, dorian, and lydian dominant.

Now that you’ve learned how to build a funk groove using just 2 chords and examined the role of each instrument in the rhythm section, it’s time to learn to solo over the funk groove! In this companion lesson to “Building a Funk Groove,” we will teach you 7 practice steps for gaining confidence, developing fluidity, and improving your soloing abilities using just one scale! These 7 steps can be applied to your practice in all genres of music.