Good Funk Piano Songs

[ricoche]

So what is everybody listening to these days?

I thought I'd start off with naming a great Funk Keyboard song that I've been listening to recently.

Title: Night Sky
Artist: Jeff Lorber
Album: Heard That

The song has a great bass line, keyboard hook, and of course that funky rhythm.

Anyone care to share a great keyboard funk song or two please do so. It would be great to hear from some other artists. Thanks!

[williemyette]

Great idea. This will be a good way for me to get some ideas for new lessons. Thanks!

[tnewt]

Willie,
Are any funk songs coming soon ? Like to learn a few.

[ricoche]

Willie,
Are any funk songs coming soon ? Like to learn a few.

If correct, there may be copyright issues for someone to transcribe and offer songs, but perhaps Willie might be able to offer insight into the chords, progressions, and solo riffs to particular funk songs? Not sure.

[tnewt]

I don't think there are any copyright laws involved when it comes to teaching songs. As a matter of fact instructors do it all the time.
As long as it is for educational purposes and he is not performing and selling the song for money as in bootlegging.

[wmyette]

I will be able to because I now have an ASCAP license.

List the artist/song title and I'll do a search if I can add it to the site.

I am doing new Funk videos at the end of the month, so it would be nice to get some suggestions.

[ricoche]

Great news Willie!

Here's a list of Artists and songs that are both funky with some jazz or blues. Note that full transcriptions are not necessary, but would love to just understand key progressions, licks, chords, or style elements that might make it easier to tackle learning some of these and other songs.

I'm a huge fan of Jeff Lorber and there is really little if anything available anywhere to learn about his style. Anything by Jeff would be highly welcomed. Here is a great song if anyone is new to Jeff Lorber stuff.
Wizard Island - Jeff Lorber ( Anything by Jeff Lorber really ).

This is a popular classic by the Yellow Jackets that is often requested when asked to play in a band. I wish I could play it ... laugh.
Matinee Idol - Yellow Jackets ( A classic )

Herbie Hancock does a lot of great Jazz/Funk but the following song is particularly cool. From the 1976 album "Herbie Hancock".
Doin' It - Herbie Hancock ( A Master of Funk )

Keith Jarrett is very jazzy, but he does play a lot of blues and his piano licks are very funky in my opinion. The following two songs have very solid ( and funky ) basslines. Keith's riffs over the basslines are fantastic. Note that the following songs from "Keith Jarrett - The Impulse Story - 2006".
De Drums - Keith Jarrett
Rich ( and the poor ) - Keith Jarrett

I just happened to be listening to the above artists which is why I mentioned them. I look forward to hearing about other member preferences for funk piano/keyboard music.

Thanks,

Jim

[wmyette]

I've been thinking a lot about these songs. I bought the Herbie album to check it out. This is what I found: Many of these songs are "groove" based and add layers on top of one another to create the entire piece. Simply transcribing the entire song would not work well for lessons.

However, this is the solution that I think would be better for students:

1) I'll create lessons that show you how I would layer these songs. I'm thinking that I would create a composition, show you why I am choosing certain chords and show you how to play over it. This means playing chord grooves and improvising over the piece. This way you get composition, chord grooves and improvisation instruction.

2) I'll transcribe some hip sections of songs to show you some of these pro licks. So, I'll listen to Herbie's stuff (for example) and find a section that I like, transcribe it, write it out and teach it to you.

Thoughts anyone?

[laurenceholley]

Hi Willie, in addition to the great Jazz Funk Artists mentioned above, can you also do some studies of piano R&B Funk Artists who played with James Brown, Parliament(p-Funk), Chaka Khan, Ohio Players, Cameo, etc. Thanks for your consideration. This music a little more raw than the great Jazz Funk Artists, but it makes you want to get on the dance floor. Let me know what you think .

[wmyette]

I was just talking with a student about the Parliament stuff today. I'll try to put some stuff together.

[mcs88keys]

Hi Willie. I love the song. I was cuious as to what exactly "funk" is. When I listened to Night Song I would classify it as "Smooth Jazz." Could you maybe recommend some other funk artists or songs.

Thanks,
Michael Sherman

[ricoche]

Hi Willie. I love the song. I was cuious as to what exactly "funk" is. When I listened to Night Song I would classify it as "Smooth Jazz." Could you maybe recommend some other funk artists or songs.

Thanks,
Michael Sherman

I am not sure what the true definition of funk is, but I do know some answers provided by various funk artists. Note that I can't remember the names but they are famous.

1. Funk is anything that irresistibly makes your butt or body move.

2. Funk is when you groove or hang on the very last beat or moment possible. If correct, Rock musicians charge on the one, but funk musicians wait until the last second. That's what pulls your body along.

3. Funk is highly syncopated, but can also be extremely simple with just one note as with "Dance to the Music" by Sly Stone. Check out Larry Graham on that one as he really is only playing one note on the bass.

In my "humble" opinion, the foundation of funk is generally brought on by the bass, drums, and guitar with the keyboards adding color. Herbie Hancock is a prime example of this. Some of his very funky stuff starts out with a bass, drum, or guitar hook. You can sometimes only barely make out what Herbie is playing because his keyboard playing sits in the back or weaves in and out. Check out "Doin It'" on the "Secrets" album. Herbie really takes a back seat to one of his most famous funk tracks. The bass is the star.

Bernie Worell of Parliament-Funkadelic is very similar. I play a lot of guitar and bass and was first drawn to that band because of the grooves laid down by the those two instruments. Bernie adds spice on top of that in a funky way.

With Jeff Lorber, I find he really cranks up the funk bass which in a sense diverts him from Smooth Jazz temporarily and into a more funk mind set. He also tries to put the keyboards more front and center. Note that he is considered a smooth jazz artist for sure, but I think he plays more funk than a lot of other smooth artists who might play more jazz front and center.

This is just how I see it of course and I'm sure many will have various points of view about the definition of funk. Perhaps Willie might know the more "correct" meaning as they might convey it at Berkeley.

Personally, I like the definition of anything that shakes your butt. That pretty much holds true with almost every funk song I know..ala James Brown!..laugh.

Enjoy!

Jim

[wmyette]

Jim, right on my friend. Very nice summary.

There is no "Berklee" definition of Funk. If there is, I never heard it. But Jim sums it up quite well.

To me funk is different then other forms of music because it has some interesting characteristics.

1. You can groove on one chord forever
2. It is usually a straight-16th feel
3. Bass-n-drums take more of a central role
4. It is all about "layers"
5. The progressions are usually kept simple allowing freedom to "groove"

Of course you can argue that many of these characteristics can be found in other styles like Jazz. That's why there really is no one definition of funk!

Ultimately I agree with Jim "anything that shakes your ;-) "

[laurenceholley]

Thats great news that you will have some R&B Funk from groups like Parliament, their piano player had some nice grooves !!! Please have a great Holiday Season.

[laurenceholley]

Thanks Willie, this is exciting, cant wait to see the lesson relating to Funk R&B with groups like Paliament, their piano plays excellent funk riffs.

[krimson8]

Wow! if you could teach us some Parliament stuff that would be amazing.!!

Other ideas would be something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iSXdcMtMs4

I think a lot of people like this type of improv stuff maybe help us with the basis for this type if improv?


Also some George Duke, Zapp & Roger, Stevie W. Gap Band etc .. you know some real funky stuff with a lot of moog base!!! :eek:

[ricoche]

Other ideas would be something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iSXdcMtMs4

I think a lot of people like this type of improv stuff maybe help us with the basis for this type if improv?



If you check out the scales and modes that Willie shows in some of his videos you should be able to put something like that together. It looks like the guy in the video is improvising instead of playing a straight George Duke solo from an album. Most likely he is also both adding some George Duke style licks and maybe even understands the exact playing style of George, so he understands better which scale to apply. This is where Willie might be able to help by explaining the chord changes and what scale(s) might work best. ( Or what scales George Duke might be most fond of. )

Nice stuff.

[davidiilv]

Hi Willie I just let you know I'm very happy with your funky lessons, I'm learning a lot really fast because you are really simple to teach any thing... A hug for you and happy new year men...
From David Morales (Country: Chile)

[wmyette]

Thanks David!

[jazzyj]

Paliafunkadelics??? You can't get any funkier than that! Just to throw my favorites out there, some are not necessarily funky but they're worthy to learn from - of course - Jeff Lorber - anything - I particularly like Philly, Flipside, He Had a Hat, and State of Grace, Joe Sample. of course Alex Bugnon, and please let's not forget Rex Rideout and last but not least, James LLoyd of Pieces of a Dream. Thanx for everything Willie. This is really getting exciting.

Jazzyj

[krimson8]

Like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFMVdYa3plI&feature=related


Ala G Duke. H Hancock or S. Wonder

Maybe?

[ralphski]

I've been thinking a lot about these songs. I bought the Herbie album to check it out. This is what I found: Many of these songs are "groove" based and add layers on top of one another to create the entire piece. Simply transcribing the entire song would not work well for lessons.

However, this is the solution that I think would be better for students:

1) I'll create lessons that show you how I would layer these songs. I'm thinking that I would create a composition, show you why I am choosing certain chords and show you how to play over it. This means playing chord grooves and improvising over the piece. This way you get composition, chord grooves and improvisation instruction.

2) I'll transcribe some hip sections of songs to show you some of these pro licks. So, I'll listen to Herbie's stuff (for example) and find a section that I like, transcribe it, write it out and teach it to you.

Thoughts anyone?



Just wanted to say that sounds "hip" to use a tragic pun. And am looking forward to it!

[krimson8]

Her is an other one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro0F-fHKP2U&feature=channel_page

[wmyette]

I like those! The time is a bit funky (no pun intended) but he's a really good player.

I think you'll like some of the new stuff I have coming in a few weeks too :-)

[thequo]

I found this: http://se.youtube.com/watch?v=1OE7htEN6_M´
It´s a very funky riff in the beginning of the clip with Brian Culbertson

[jazzyj]

I tried to see the Brian Culbertson video on YouTube but I kept getting an error message. Is that the right link? I'm using Firefox. I'd like to see and hear it.

Thanx,
jazzy

[thequo]

I tried to see the Brian Culbertson video on YouTube but I kept getting an error message. Is that the right link? I'm using Firefox. I'd like to see and hear it.

Thanx,
jazzy
It's something wrong with this link :(. You can go to Youtube and search for "Brian Culbertson talks about Roland Pianos" and you will find the clip.