Lesson Library

Paul · Professional · 51 min

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…

Paul · Intermediate · 67 min

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…

Paul · Intermediate · 58 min

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…

Paul · Professional · 59 min

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…

Paul · Intermediate · 72 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 58 min

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…

Paul · Professional · 55 min

Part 2 of Funk Reading.

Paul · Intermediate · 57 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 79 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 87 min

Learn how to improvise over funk grooves. This first part discusses chord voicings, comping and scales for improv.

Willie · Beginner · 95 min

Learn 15 Funk grooves that you can apply in many situations. I’ll teach you the grooves step-by-step.

Paul · Beginner · 55 min

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.…

Paul · Intermediate · 73 min

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…

Paul · Beginner · 48 min

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…

Paul · Beginner · 54 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 80 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 102 min

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…

Willie · Intermediate · 80 min

In this third part, we will discuss quartal and cluster lines, double-stops, 4-note patterns, how to create longer phrases and more!

Willie · Intermediate · 76 min

Picking up from part 1, this lesson will teach you ten different improvisation licks and rhythms to use in your solos.

Willie · Professional · 62 min

In this lesson, you'll learn a bass groove with alterations. I also cover improvisation licks and teach you step-by-step how to play them.

Willie · Professional · 39 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 82 min

In this video, I brought in my good friend Thomas Brinkley to teach along with me. Learn from our experience playing together and with other groups.

Willie · Intermediate · 72 min

Learn how to create some funky piano grooves using different 16th-note rhythms, chord progressions and shifting accents.

Willie · Intermediate · 64 min

In this lesson we are going to cover the analysis of I Can't Get Started, learn the groove for Bill Wither's Use Me, play some Reggae grooves and learn a basic…