Hello All
One of the big things on my list to get proficient at is the technique that’s used a lot in funk guitar of mixing muted strums / “chucks” with fretted strums to create that thick, percussive sound
I’ve watched a lot of videos on the subject but I’m finding the execution extremely challenging and simply can’t eliminate unwanted strings from sounding with enough consistency to play through a chord progression cleanly in this manner (I’m using “Get Lucky” as my learning song....)
I think its quite a hard thing to teach, but would appreciate any pointers especially around the left hand technique.
Comments
Useful stuff even if you never play a funk tune, there is a lot of similar technique in stuff like Texas blues and reggae,etc.
I do tend to find that I am better at this technique on certain Guitars over others. Definitely feels easier to me on Fender Necks and I find it more difficult on my Les Paul. YMMV though.
Good luck and stick with it because there is so much to be said for good rhythm playing. To me it is far more important than flashy soloing (although there is a time and place for that)
Luckily I’m well practiced at not mastering things quickly
FWIW I find this stuff easier on a vintage radius (7.25") Fender than on more modern neck profiles, and I find I get far more control by ditching the pick and using the backs of my fingernails to strum. Fiendishly difficult to get it right consistently.
You can go through the history of funk and find bits that you want to transcribe or you can look to a single track that has everything you need.
That track, by the way, is 'Pass It' by Papa Grows Funk.
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This video explains how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2wz1cD0tfA
Single notes are definitely harder.
Maybe start with E shaped barre chords (because they cover all 6 strings) holding and relaxing. And I'm going to say it again, go slow until you've got it!
get lucky is an exercise in waiting for your right arm to drop off - can't imagine how Nile gets through hours of gigs without RSI - but I've got better over time