FUNK BASS. Jon Liebman. THE BEST SINGLE SOURCE FOR PLAYING FUNK AND SLAP-STYLE BASS.
SHEET MUSIC BOOK WITH CD & BASS TABLATURE.
LIBRO METODO PER BASSO CON CD.
SPARTITI PER BASSO :
ACCORDI, PENTAGRAMMA, TABLATURE.
Funk Bass
Series: Bass Instruction
Format: Softcover with CD - TAB
Artist: Jon Liebman
FORWARD BY: JOHN PATITUCCI
Critically acclaimed as the best single source for the techniques used to play funk and slap-style bass! Includes a foreword by John Patitucci and is endorsed by Rich Appleman of the Berklee College Of Music, Will Lee, Mark Egan, Stuart Hamm and many others! Features several photos and a special section on equipment and effects. A book for everyone - from beginners to advanced players! Includes a 58-minute audio accompaniment. CD TABLATURE
Inventory #HL 00699348
ISBN: 9780793516209
UPC: 073999993486
Width: 9.0"
Length: 12.0"
96 pages
INTRODUCTION
The goal of this book is to introduce the contemporary bassist to the funk style of playing. Many books of this type miss the point of what is required of a bass player. Being able to execute a bunch of fast funk licks may dazzle your friends and relatives, but it won't make your phone ring off the hook from contractors and record producers calling you with work. In the real world, you'll be hired according to how well you understand your role as a bass player and how well you do your job. This book will guide you toward those goals in a logical, step-by-step "real-world" approach.
Chapter I, A Word On Practicing, emphasizes the importance of proper practice habits. It includes discussions on metronomes, drum machines, live drummers, tape recorders, utilizing recordings, attending live concerts and maintaining a music notebook.
Chapter 2 begins illustrating the fundamentals of funk bass playing - how to "slap" and "pop." The emphasis here is on precision and proper execution. The exercises in this chapter are developed into some basic funk patterns in Chapter 3.
Chapter 4 introduces some stylistic elements, such as the "hammer-on," the "pull-off," the slide, the trill, the shake and the bend (no, it's not a dancing lesson!). These are the so-called "tricks of the trade" that will make your playing sound funkier.
The focus in Chapter 5 is on establishing a groove - the most important element of playing the bass. If you're going to get anything at all out of this book, get this: GROOVE IS EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING MUST GROOVE! I can't overemphasize the importance of this statement. It holds true for all musicians, but especially for the bass player and the drummer, because they're the ones that really lay down the time and make the music "feel" good.
Once you understand this concept and are comfortable (honestly!) with Chapters 2 through 5 of this book, feel free to have fun with the licks I have included in Chapter 6. They are intended to illustrate different possibilities of the funk style, help you develop your technique and give you ideas for creating your own funk lines. Remember, your job is to groove and support the band. These licks are to be used at your discretion as your taste and musicality dictate. They can work very well as fills within the groove or, of course, for your solos.
It is crucial to be able to play in an keys. Many students of funk bass can really "get down" in one or two keys, but are practically helpless when they have to play for a singer whose song is not in "E" or "A" but in some "weird" key. Because this is so important, I have made sure to include plenty of exercises and licks (and grooves!!!) in all twelve keys. Where other books simply suggest, "try these licks in a few different keys," I felt it was important enough to actually write them out. Of course, you are encouraged to transpose anything in this book into any or all twelve keys. It's good for you! It will help your reading, too.
What's more, the key of"a"is not the same as "J)l.," nor is "Fl" the same as "0," nor "B" the same as "0." By the time you get through this book, you'll be able to read and play in any key. Granted, certain keys (like "E" and "A") lend themselves to greater ease and facility on the bass, because of the nature and tuning of the instrument. Also, some keys may be harder to read, but easier to play in, and vice versa. When you come right down to it, there are no such things as "easy" or "hard" keys, only "familiar" keys and "unfamiliar" keys.
The Appendix, Your Equipment, provides an overview of the equipment common to funk bass players. It includes information on types of basses, strings, amplifiers, speakers and effects. It is intended to "de-mystify" the myriad of products available to musicians today, and offers insights into how to invest carefully in the proper tools that will best suit your needs.
At the end of this book I have included a Discography, which is by no means exhaustive, but offers a cross section of some of the greatest funk bassists in music today. It's important that you listen to as much of this music as possible so you understand just exactly what we're trying to do here. If you get a chance to see any of these guys live, don't you dare miss them!
Chapter 1
A Word On Practicing
"Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."
- Vince Lombardi These words, by the late, internationally renowned coach of the Green Bay Packers, are profoundly true. Whether you're talking about music or football, Mr. Lombardi's philosophy still applies. Even if you spend eight hours a day in the woodshed, you could be wasting your time if you don't have proper practice habits. In this chapter, we'll look at what distinguishes "good" practicing from "bad" practicing, and how to make the most efficient use of the hours you spend honing your funk bass skills.
"Did you say bad practicing?" "Does it really exist?"
Absolutely! Do you ever just "wander" around the bass, aimlessly, playing lick after lick? Do you often find yourself charging ahead through bass lines and solos that you already can play inside out? When you practice a part, do you think only of the bass, without considering the interplay between you and the other musicians (the drummer, for one)? Do you practice without a metronome or a drum machine? Or in front of the TV? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be found guilty of "bad practicing" and could be subject to eternal banishment from all that's hip, and forced to tap your toes on "one" and "three" for the rest of your life!
When you practice, it's serious business. Create an environment that's conducive to study. Keep distractions out of sight.
Find a time when you won't be disturbed. Convince yourself that you're not hungry or thirsty, and get in the proper frame of mind.
My teacher used to have me keep a log of my practice sessions, which was a great help. Get a calendar, in which you'll record nothing but your practice schedules. Every day, take into account how many hours you're going to spend practicing and what you need to work on, then budget your time accordingly. Write down, for example, 30 minutes for scales and arpeggios, 20 minutes for sight-reading, etc. When the time alloted for each segment expires, move on to the next one, checking things off as you go. That way you're constantly chipping away at everything every day, and won't have to worry about three weeks going by without playing any Stu Hamm finger taps, or whatever else may be on your agenda.
At the end of the week, take a look at your calendar and see how much practicing you're actually doing, versus how much you think you're doing. The results may surprise you.
"Time is of the essence." I don't know who first uttered those words, but they couldn't hold more truth for bassists.
When you're practicing by yourself, always use a metronome, or, better yet, a drum machine. Remember: they're your friends! Concentrate not only on playing in time, but with a good time feel. A GREAT time feel. So what if you know the right changes to 40,000 tunes? Who cares if you can play eighty-bizillion sixteenth notes a minute, or have the "baddest" setup this side of Osaka. THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB YOU HAVE AS A BASS PLAYER IS TO GROOVE WITH A GREAT TIME FEEL. You may think you're playing in time, but the metronome and drum machine will keep you "honest," so use them.
Another way to work on your time feel is to get together with a good drummer and groove. For hours. Don't just fool around, though. Concentrate on "takin' care0' business." Oh, sure, you can still work on your solo chops, but spend most, if not all, of the time on the time. Pick several grooves that you want to work on, and practice them one at a time, over and over, without stopping. Be sure to play in all twelve keys, too. You may want to have your drummer friend program a few grooves into your drum machine, for you to practice with when you're by yourself.
So far, we've got three friends: a metronome, a drum machine and a real live warm body behind the drums. Let's add one more friend to our list: the tape recorder.
Back we go, once again, to the "honesty" category. You think you know what your playing sounds like? Try laying it down on tape and see (hear) if you're right. "Tape recorders don't lie." Recording your playing may reveal many flaws and bad habits of which you may not have been aware. It lets you really zero in on the attack and release of each note, as well as your sustain, intonation, time feel and overall sound. A tape recorder can be an invaluable practice tool.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Sure, I'd like to take all the credit for writing this book. Truth is, though, I had help. A lot of people went out of their way to help me make this project (and it was a project!) move more smoothly, easily and efficiently. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge these people's generosity.
Thanks to the musicians who took the time to talk with me, read my manuscript and actually come up with good things to say about my book:
- John Patitucci: I don't know where you found the time to hang out, John, but I sure do appreciate it. Even though I did have to sit and watch you rehearse your incredible band while waiting to talk to you, really, I didn't mind! Thanks for putting up with all the trans-global phone calls and faxes (what an age we live in!). Thanks for going so far out of your way to help me. Much luck and continued success to you.
- Rich Appleman: A true pedagogue! Thanks for your support and encouragement. Berklee is lucky to have you.
- Brian Bromberg: Glad the word finally got out about what a great player and writer you are. Hell, I've known that for years! Thanks, man.
- Bob Cranshaw: I admire your meticulous, no-nonsense, down-to-business approach. Thank you.
- Mark Egan: I didn't mind sitting through your rehearsal, either! Thanks.
- Stuart Hamm: I am truly honored to have been the one chosen to transcribe the music for your Hal Leonard book.
Throughout the ordeal, though, you quickly went from being my mentor to my tormentor! Seriously, I appreciate all the time we got to spend working together. Now let's go eat!
- Neil Jason: What can I say, Neil? You helped me make the phone company rich! Thanks for all your suggestions, and thanks for being a great guy!
- Will Lee: You sure are hard to get a hold of, but it was definitely worth the effort! Thank you!
Thanks to all my friends, "consultants" and experts in their respective fields:
- Alexis Sklarevski, Dale Titus and everyone at the Bass Institute of Technology, Hollywood, California
Don Coffman, Director of Jazz Bass at the University of Miami Schoor of Music, Coral Gables, Florida
- Tim Emmons and Todd Ferguson at the Dick Grove School of Music, Van Nuys, California
- Dennis Tini, Matt Michaels, Gary Leach and Dan Pliskow of the Jazz Studies Department at Wayne State University, Detroit
- Sid Beshkin: The world's foremost authority on print technology!
- Steve Carryer, Cliff Cohen and Tom Hollyer: three of the most amazing Macintosh wizards on the planet!
- "Dr. Jazz" of Dr. Jazz Operations, Oak Park, Michigan
- Mike "Friedbaum" Friedman. He's my "Mr. Drummer Friend" (see Chapter 1). Thanks for working out all those grooves with me, dude.
- Abe Laboriel: A great inspiration and a true gentleman (and what a bass player!). Thanks for your help and encouragement.
- Herb Mickman: Hey, Herb. Did you hear the one about...?
- Steve Shepard and everyone at Scorpion Systems Group (the "Sybil" people)
- The staff of the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, Southfield, Michigan
- The staff of PM Productions, Southfield, Michigan
Thanks to my merciless proofreaders: Marty Liebman (yo, Bro!), Tom Profit and Rey Sanchez.
Thanks to John Cerullo, Joff Jones and everyone at Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation.
Thanks to Sammi and Josh.
Special thanks to Rey Sanchez (see merciless proofreaders, above). Actually, I don't know whether to thank him, or to blame him! If it weren't for Rey, it never would have occurred to me to write a book (thanks a lot!). That night in Bogota, Colombia - was it just a suggestion when you said, "Hey, man, you ought to write a book. A funk book. Yeah, that's it. A funk book," or was it a dare? Well anyway, here it is! Thanks for the huge hand you've had in my success - all the gigs, all the tours, all those times in the studio. Thanks for introducing me to Jaco. Thanks for your friendship. Where are we going, next?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notation Legend .
Foreword by John Patitucci .
Introduction .
Chapter I A Word on Practicing .
Chapter 2 Getting Started .
The Slapping Technique .
The Popping Technique : .
Chapter 3 Some Basic Funk Patterns .
Chapter 4 Style Elements .
The Hammer-on .
The Pull-off .
The Slide .
The Trill .
The Shake .
The Bend .
Chapter 5 Establishing a Groove: .
Chapter 6 Building a Vocabulary For Funk Soloing .
Epilogue .
Appendix: Your Equipment. .
Your Bass .
Your Strings ,
Your Amplifier and Speakers .
Your Effects ,
Discography .
Acknowledgments .
About the Author .
Endorsements .
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