Oftentimes funk tunes are built on the traditional 12-bar blues form. The elements which transform a tune from a swing-blues to a funk-blues are usually things…
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 sol…
This lesson puts you IN THE STUDIO! You’ve just been asked to play on a recording session which will feature a new smooth jazz/funk song entitled “Downtown Funk…
Many funk grooves are based on simply 2-4 measures and contain only a few chords. These short passages can make up entire sections of grooving and soloing. In t…
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…
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 s…
In this lesson, we are covering how to gain more fluidity in your playing and soloing. We will cover some unique exercises that will spur new ideas in your solo…
In this lesson, we will be covering fast funk grooves. More importantly, we will discuss how to create a groove between you and one other instrument. Often, we…
In this lesson, you will learn some of the common aspects of playing a synthesizer using the Yamaha Motif ES6, a very frequently encountered and popular synth.…
In this lesson, we will examine and discuss the concept of upbeats and downbeats. Then, students will work on a variety of rhythmic exercises using a drum track…
In this lesson, you will be introduced to four rhythmic values (quarter, 8th, triplet, and 16th notes) and will work through various exercises of increasing dif…
Picking up where Part I left off, this lesson will continue to examine “sound families” that a synth player may commonly use in his/her playing, as well as a co…
In this advanced lesson, we will use concepts from volumes 1-3 to create some advanced improvisation using key centers, quartals and different voicing technique…
In this lesson I teach you how to create your own song. We cover licks, sections and chords. Best of all, I recorded the song in the studio with two amazing mus…
Continuing where we left off, this master class will show you a very slick chord progression along with some soloing and groove concepts. This is the wrap-up wh…
In this jam we will jam over a simple C blues. Even though the performance window has closed, you can still practice the jam and watch other students' performan…
You'll learn how to create and use double-stops in your improvisation to get a funky sound. You'll also learn how to create a super funky bassline to improvise…
