Funk Themes

Hey GMC’ers! Today I will illustrate various funk techniques and tools using a song I wrote.

The first part is the main theme which begins with an octave note theme then it continues together in a unison solo with a saxophone. This is often used in funk music, and it’s an easy way for you to create a funk vibe in your home studio - just ‘overdub’ the lines you are playing with a sax.

In the first part I play E7/9# and A 7 chords the scale is an E mixolydian, but in the chorus part it is changed to E minor. These chords are typically used in funk, and often you will find that they are used just like power chords in rock: A whole tune can be created with a single chord shape.


Chord Progression: (Good information)
* Main Theme:
E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7 E7/9# A7
* Chorus:
Em7 A7 Em7 A7 Fmaj7 Em7 D9#/13B G7-5

Techniques:
* Slides
* Bends
* Hammer-ons
* Pull-offs

Remember, start slow. Speed will eventually come.