Help! I bought a bass and now I can't stop listening to funk music!

[Dog Weissman]

I've been a guitarist for many years but recently bought a new J-Bass to learn and possibly get into home recording. I always perceived the bass as kind of a boring nothing instrument because I was a dumb fuck. I wanted to challenge this perception and funk music seemed like the natural place to find a bass showcase.

And now I'm hooked.

I spent my entire life up to this point not truly appreciating how hard Rick James, The Isley Brothers, P-Funk, etc all slap. God DAMN Street Songs and 3+3 are masterpieces. I want more. I know it's out there and I want it. You guys have any suggestions? Songs or albums would be more useful than listing off artists.

 

[KingBrave]

I did the same thing when I bought my first bass.

 

[Zanaffar]

Well was always partial to this songs bassline.

CHIC - Le Freak (Official Music Video)

You're watching the official music video for CHIC's disco anthem "Le Freak". Rhino is proud to present "The Chic Organization 1977-1979". Find a copy here ht...

www.youtube.com

Edit: Wanted to add this also

24 STRINGS BASS SOLO 2

Back at playing and slapping the 24 Strings Godzilla Bass Guitar! Any suggestion for the next video? Leave a comment :)TABS and Backing Tracks: https://www....

www.youtube.com

 

[EVA UNIT 01]

Welcome
Bass is beautiful

 

[Goddo Hando]

tfw you got the bass face

 

[grang]

Electro Deluxe - Play (Live In Paris)

Electro Deluxe - Play (Live In Paris)From the live album Electro Deluxe Big Band Live In ParisBOOKING: Caramba Culture Live🖥 [email protected]★ buy origin...

youtu.be

JACO PASTORIUS BIG BAND - Barbary Coast

www.youtube.com

Fred Wesley - Funk for your Ass

www.youtube.com

So I Got To Groove

Provided to YouTube by EpicSo I Got To Groove · Tower Of PowerRhythm & Business℗ 1997 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.Released on: 1997-09-16Background Vocal, ...

www.youtube.com

 

[Dog Weissman]

Hell yes. Give it to me baby.

 

[MonoStable]

Davie504 approves of the SLAPP.

 

[rashbeep]

Henrik linder is the king of modern slap

 

[Darkmaigle]

Is it easier to learn bass than guitar? Like the dexterity portion I have fat ass hands and fingers

 

[Pirateluigi]

 

[Zanaffar]

As a bass lover i feel I should maybe link this also.

SILENT SIREN - フジヤマディスコ（FUJIYAMA DISCO）

SILENT SIREN　EMI Records移籍第一弾シングル 「フジヤマディスコ」2017.03.01. On Sale. 初回限定盤A (CD＋DVD)￥1,800＋税UPCH-89317[DVD収録内容]「Silent Siren 2016年末スペシャルライブ Dream on！」12/30＠東京体育館...

www.youtube.com

 

[Superpupperbabysassy]

I'm a fan of Thundercat. Flea is a beast as well. James jamerson too.

 

[KymTheSpud]

try some Vulfpeck, some crazy bass playing

 

[canseesea]

Is it easier to learn bass than guitar? Like the dexterity portion I have fat ass hands and fingers

Click to shrink...

You aren't doing chord shapes but the frets are further apart and timing consistency is more important. It's probably a bit easier to start out and play along with songs at a basic level, but you can always make it hard for yourself.

try some Vulfpeck, some crazy bass playing

Click to shrink...

For Vulfpeck I'd strongly suggest their Madison Square Garden performance. Great show all around, and you get the benefit of the crowd singing along with the bassline for Dean Town

VULFPECK /// Dean Town (Live at Madison Square Garden)

VULFPECK /// Dean Town (Live at Madison Square Garden)buy vinyl first pressing at https://vulfpeck.bandcamp.com/

www.youtube.com

 

[Pirateluigi]

try some Vulfpeck, some crazy bass playing

Click to shrink...

I do love me some Vulfpeck

 

[KymTheSpud]

You aren't doing chord shapes but the frets are further apart and timing consistency is more important. It's probably a bit easier to start out and play along with songs at a basic level, but you can always make it hard for yourself.






For Vulfpeck I'd strongly suggest their Madison Square Garden performance. Great show all around, and you get the benefit of the crowd singing along with the bassline for Dean Town

VULFPECK /// Dean Town (Live at Madison Square Garden)

VULFPECK /// Dean Town (Live at Madison Square Garden)buy vinyl first pressing at https://vulfpeck.bandcamp.com/

www.youtube.com

Click to shrink...

I managed to see them live in Dublin a few years ago, the crowd went absolutely bonkers for Deanstown, quite a surreal experience hearing everyone chanting along to the baseline...incredible performance.

 

[Pirateluigi]

I managed to see them live in Dublin a few years ago, the crowd went absolutely bonkers for Deanstown, quite a surreal experience hearing everyone chanting along to the baseline...incredible performance.

Click to shrink...

It is still so wild to me to see how successful they've become, considering I was in a band with Jack back in college. Fuck man, I should have stuck with music.

 

[Sanctuary]

I've been a guitarist for many years but recently bought a new J-Bass to learn and possibly get into home recording. I always perceived the bass as kind of a boring nothing instrument because I was a dumb fuck. I wanted to challenge this perception and funk music seemed like the natural place to find a bass showcase.

And now I'm hooked.

I spent my entire life up to this point not truly appreciating how hard Rick James, The Isley Brothers, P-Funk, etc all slap. God DAMN Street Songs and 3+3 are masterpieces. I want more. I know it's out there and I want it. You guys have any suggestions? Songs or albums would be more useful than listing off artists.

Click to shrink...

Start watching this channel ASAP. Wooten was one of his biggest heroes, and he's probably on par with him now, if not finally surpassing him on a technical level.

 

[aisback]

Sorry we can't help you. Embrace the madness.

By the way look up average white band

 

[sejny]

Primus is one of the greatest bands of all time and while not strictly "funk," they are quite funky. Oh, and they suck, too.

 

[Sanctuary]

Primus is one of the greatest bands of all time and while not strictly "funk," they are quite funky. Oh, and they suck, too.

Click to shrink...

Their guitar solos suck, just like Slayer guitar solos, but the bass playing...

 

[affeinvasion]

Rock's Most Prolific Session Musician

Watch this video ad-free on Nebula: https://nebula.app/videos/polyphonic-carol-kaye-rock-s-most-prolific-session-musicianIf you think this video was worth $3...

youtu.be

 

[Pirateluigi]

More funky funk

 

[Dog Weissman]

Start watching this channel ASAP. Wooten was one of his biggest heroes, and he's probably on par with him now, if not finally surpassing him on a technical level.

Click to shrink...

I can appreciate this on a technical level but I'm not particularly moved by virtuosic prog performances like this.

 

[Sanctuary]

I appreciate stuff like this on a technical level but I'm not particularly moved by virtuosic prog stuff like this.

Click to shrink...

That's not what he focuses on honestly. It's one of the most technical pieces he's done up to this point on his channel. I only posted it just to show how skillful he is, but he's way more versatile than that. He plays everything.

Slapping and tapping is what he's all about.

 

[Mesoian]

I'm cheating.

LOUIS COLE

Mean It - Louis Cole (ft. Sam Gendel)

BUY THIS: http://louiscole.bandcamp.com/releasesLouis Cole live in tha studio kind of vibe with big time Sam Gendel on saxophone. Song by Louis Cole. Follow:...

youtu.be

Alright i'll play fair.

MonoNeon: "MEAN IT" - Louis Cole feat. Sam Gendel

MonoNeon: "MEAN IT" - Louis Cole feat. Sam Gendel

youtu.be

And for good measure

Boyfriend Bass

BN HNSP

youtu.be

 

[Tokyo_Funk]

Embrace the Funk.
Feel the Funk.
Love the Funk.
Get Funked.

 

[themoralcenter]

Midnight vultures

 

[canseesea]

More funky funk

Click to shrink...

I don't think I've ever heard Mary Jane Girls, or at least didn't know them by name. Had to look it up just to find out it's basically a couple of Rick James albums I wasn't familiar with. Don't I feel silly.

 

[deimosmasque]

You have stepped into a world larger than you know.

 

[thesoapster]

Tool have some sweet bass parts.

 

[Darkmaigle]

I always wanted to learn an instrument, bass seems so cool

 

[canseesea]

I always wanted to learn an instrument, bass seems so cool

Click to shrink...

Go for it. There are plenty of resources online to help learn whatever way works best for you, and if cost is a concern you can get a P Bass knockoff that's perfectly playable for like a hundred dollars these days.

 

[Orioto]

Get ready for the real shit.

 

[Dog Weissman]

Get ready for the real shit.

Click to shrink...

I actually quite enjoyed this.

Also, pic of bass. It's just an inexpensive Squire but I've since put tapewounds on it and had it set up as close to perfect as possible. Next to my real Jazzmaster :P

 

[Taco_Human]

Rick James is reallllllly good OP, I've been listening to him for a long time. One of the goats

 

[Dog Weissman]

Guitar on Isley Brothers shit is insane

 

[TinTuba47]

Funk is the GOAT genre, welcome to the club

 

[turbobrick]

I actually quite enjoyed this.

Also, pic of bass. It's just an inexpensive Squire but I've since put tapewounds on it and had it set up as close to perfect as possible. Next to my real Jazzmaster :P

Click to shrink...

nice they match. Is that a reliced jazzmaster or have you just played it that much?

 

[THEVOID]

No Geddy Lee?

 

[krazen]

Crazy thing about funk is that even beyond the big acts you had so many bands out there putting out fantastic records and disappearing its why new 70's samples popping in modern hip-hop/R&B production feels endless.

And it feels like it's an era that hasn't really been mined to its full potential (outside of samples). You have milquetoast bands that dabble in funk but none of them are as deep in the fucking pocket like the 70's stuff.

 

[Mandos]

Welcome to the party. I need to get back to work on playing mine. Still wish I had gone for a short scale violin bass over the Sterling stingray I got. Then again I took a long enough break I should be able to adjust now(my original beater was a shortscale

 

[Cana]

Vulfpeck

 

[ohkay]

I actually quite enjoyed this.

Also, pic of bass. It's just an inexpensive Squire but I've since put tapewounds on it and had it set up as close to perfect as possible. Next to my real Jazzmaster :P

Click to shrink...

I know I can trust you because you have a jazzmaster

 

[Dog Weissman]

No Geddy Lee?

Click to shrink...

Not funky enough.

 

[zer0blivion]

Not funk, but Billy Gould of Faith No More is a hell of a bassist and pretty funky IMHO.

Faith No More - Land of Sunshine Original:

Land of Sunshine

Provided to YouTube by London RecordsLand of Sunshine · Faith No MoreAngel Dust℗ 1992 Slash RecordsUnknown: Adam MunozBass Guitar: Billy GouldProducer: Bill...

youtube.com

Bass cover:

Faith No More - "Land Of Sunshine" (Bass Cover)

As I've mentioned before, Billy Gould is a big influence on my playing and sound. Even as I learned about FNM when Epic came out like most people, it wasn't ...

youtu.be

 

[dlemarc]

Here's some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned.

Heavy Love Affair - Marvin Gaye


Thighs High - Tom Browne


If You Want Me To Stay - Sly and the Family Stone


A Touch of Jazz - Zapp

 

[TheWorthyEdge]

Give Me The Night by George Benson is one of my all-times. Literally anything by CHIC.

 

[dlemarc]

Here's a few more.

Alright - Jamiroquai


Just Chillin Out - Bernard Wright


School Boy Crush - Average White Band


Superbad - James Brown