Overview
While the bass guitar plays an essential role in nearly every popular music style, it’s in funk and R&B where it perhaps finds its most dominant expression. From James Brown to Sly & the Family Stone to The Meters to Parliament Funkadelic to Tower of Power to D’Angelo and many more, the bass has grounded and helped define the music that’s made countless heads bob and booties shake. In this course, we’ll explore the history of funk and R&B bass playing, examine its most iconic players, and dive deep into the techniques, tones, and tips necessary to deepen your pocket and expand your groove awareness.
4/9 – 6/11 (9 weeks) no class 5/28
Jonathan Herrera • $375
Registration
DEPARTMENT: Bass
COURSE TITLE: Funk Bass
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This hands-on survey course covers the signature bass lines and techniques of funk and
R&B from the 60s to the present. Material covered ranges from the early funk pioneers of the James Brown rhythm sections and Motown to the innovators of the 70s, 80s and
beyond including Verdine White, Larry Graham, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller and others.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisites: functional electric bass technique.
REQUIRED READING/MATERIALS: none
RECOMMENDED READING/MATERIALS:
James Brown: A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Styles and Techniques of James Brown’s Bassists, by Glenn Letsch
The Funkmasters — The Great James Brown Rhythm Sections 1960-1973: For Guitar, Bass and Drums, by Allan “Dr. Licks” Slutsky
Standing in the Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson, by Dr. Licks
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1
Introductions, listening appreciation, what makes a great bass line.
Week 2 & 3
The bassists of James Brown
Bernard Odum, Tim Drummond, Fred Thomas, Bootsy Collins
Week 4 & 5
Detroit (The Motown Sound)
James Jamerson, Bob Babbitt
Week 6
New York style
Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott, Anthony Jackson
Week 7
Special guest: drummer from Tower of Power David Garibaldi
Week 8
New York style – continued
Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott, Anthony Jackson
Week 9 & 10
Bay Area Funk
Larry Graham
Francis “Rocco” Prestia
Paul Jackson
B.A. University of Southern California; Honors Graduate, Los Angeles Music Academy. 2012 Artist-in-Residence, Los Angeles College of Music. Current LACM faculty, teaching Synth Bass. Former Editor-in-Chief of Bass Player Magazine, current Senior Contributing Editor. Performed and recorded with Stanley Jordan, Brain, Oz Noy, Miguel Migs, Cathedrals, Jonas Hellborg, Cyrus Chestnut, MoeTar, and many more. Extensive international touring and clinic experience. Moog, MXR, DSI, Nordstrand, and Aguilar endorsing artist. Staff Producer and Studio B Chief Engineer, Airship Laboratories recording studios.
