Lesson Library

Willie · Intermediate · 11 min

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…

Willie · Beginner · 12 min

In this lesson you'll learn how to use double-stops in your improvisation. Double stops create a lot of nice tension in your solo.

Willie · Professional · 57 min

By playing a song in more than one style, you can create some really fun arrangements and bring some sparkle to your song arrangements.

Paul · Professional · 62 min

In this lesson, we will show you how to play the piano-based funk groove that makes up Earth Wind & Fire’s classic funk-party hit “September.” You will learn th…

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 · Professional · 57 min

This is an instantly recognized funky party tune that you will want to have in your repertoire. In this lesson, you will learn how to play this song on an organ…

Paul · Professional · 55 min

In this lesson, we will teach you how to play two classic funk-party Michael Jackson tunes – “Shake Your Body Down to the Ground” and “The Way You Make Me Feel.…

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…

Paul · Professional · 69 min

Are you interested in writing or arranging music? Are you interested in understanding why certain chords “work” and sound so cool? Then this is the lesson for y…

Paul · Professional · 49 min

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 h…

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…

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 · Professional · 82 min

Have you ever wanted to groove right along with the most classic clavinet hooks on some of the greatest funk tunes of all-time, but had trouble capturing that e…

Paul · Professional · 55 min

Part 2 of Funk Reading.

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 · 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 · 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…

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 · 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 · Intermediate · 93 min

In this lesson you will be shown 6 different funky chord progressions, each 2-4 measures in length in varying keys. In each groove, the instructor will highligh…

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…

Willie · Intermediate · 28 min

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…

Willie · Professional · 66 min

Learn how to improvise over "The Chicken" with these exercises along with a written-out solo.

Willie · Professional · 71 min

"The Chicken" or simply "Chicken" is an instrumental funk tune composed by Pee Wee Ellis that was the B-side to James Brown's 1969 single "The Popcorn". Jazz ba…