Hey, James here!
Are you ready to unlock the secret to funk bass playing? Today, we're diving into the groove with a lesson that focuses on just three notes: the flat 7th, the major 7th, and the octave. These three simple notes can create some of the most iconic bass lines you’ll hear across genres like funk, rock, and jazz.
In this lesson, I’ll show you how to master these notes and use them all over the neck of your bass guitar, making position shifting and navigating the fretboard a breeze. You’ll learn how to play a killer two-bar bassline and transform it with rhythmic variations, taking your playing to new levels of groove.
Why These Three Notes Matter
The flat 7th, major 7th, and octave create a powerful chromatic pattern that is the backbone of so many great bass lines. By learning how to shift these notes across multiple octaves, you’ll build confidence in your technique and gain the ability to improvise and create your own funky variations.
What You’ll Learn
- The Basic Pattern – Get comfortable with the flat 7th, major 7th, and octave, and understand how to move them around the fretboard.
- Rhythmic Variations – Experiment with different rhythms and syncopations, adding a funky twist to your playing.
- Position Shifting – Learn to navigate up and down the neck smoothly with these three notes.
Free PDF Download
To help you get the most out of this lesson, I’ve included a free PDF download with all the notes and tabs written out in standard notation. Just click the below below to grab your copy.
Bonus Tip for Extra Funk
Want to add even more funk to your playing? Before hitting a 16th note, try adding a dead note. This subtle addition will propel your bass lines forward and give them that extra edge.
Give these exercises a try and let your fingers groove to the rhythm. For more lessons like this, check out my Bass Lab PLUS programme, where you can access structured courses to take your bass playing from beginner to advanced!
See you next week!