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How to Build a Funk Bass Groove (3 Simple Tricks That Instantly Work)

Ryan Madora

12,915 views

Want to build a great funk bass groove without overplaying? In this bass lesson, you'll learn a few simple tricks that instantly make your bass lines funky and musical.

Funk bass isn’t about playing more notes—it's about locking into the groove and making every note count. In this lesson, we'll break down a simple funk bass line and gradually develop it using a few key concepts that professional bass players use all the time.

You'll learn how to:
• Build a solid funk bass groove to emphasize "the one" and the importance of the downbeat as Bootsy Collins would say
• Develop themes that work over a common funk chord progression
• Use dead notes to add groove
• Target the higher register for funky bass ear candy

These techniques work in funk, soul, R&B, and groove-based music, and they’re perfect for beginner to intermediate bass players looking to improve their feel and pocket.

If you want your bass lines to sound tighter, groovier, and more musical, this lesson will give you a few practical tools you can start using immediately.

Support This Channel and Get Tab/Notation and backing tracks on PATREON:
Patreon: ryanmadora

Fun fact: you can take private lessons with Ryan! Visit her website to learn more!

WEBSITE:
https://ryanmadora.com

BOOK: Bass Players To Know: Learning From The Greats
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GEAR:
Some of my favorite bass and studio gear. Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission. Thank you for supporting the channel!
Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 Amp: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/qWoVBO
Aguilar SL112 Cab: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/6kz7nq
D’Addario Cables: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/DWaBAy
TC Electronics Tuner: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/Gb1EEE
D’Addario Strings: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/2R72V7
Reddi: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/enjaeO
Sennheiser MKH416 Mic: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/k4AVJL
Behringer Mixing System: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/qWoVNO
API Mic Preamp: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/oNJVbY

13 Comments

@rileycraig7231 3 months ago

The Queen of Funk is back in Music City! We rejoice!

@GByePorkPieHat 3 months ago (edited)

Oh! My! GOODNESS! My friends, who know me as a middling guitar player, have been SO surprised to find me playing (almost) exclusively bass on my Squier VI…well…I find a freedom in playing bass, while supporting the song, that is just, “WAY MORE FUNNER”😊.

This lesson gives a perfect explanation. I can’t help but smile when I get to PHONKy it up.

@lawrencetaylor4101 3 months ago

I am so stealing this for my left hand on the piano. Merci.

@Eri4Jp 3 months ago

you make theory seems so much easier! amazing content!

@anthonycook4297 3 months ago

Nice lesson. Cheers your way and bass on, Ryan 😎

@TPBass1224 3 months ago

Always great content, Ryan!!

@ngolinyirenda6421 3 months ago

Crazy ! I'm a reggae guy, but today, I started building a more hip hop tyle of groove. And because they sample funk a lot, i started this with an open E to G-A, then decided to ghost the open E and then playe around with the minor 7ths in different octaves, great viddo that has now helped me fine tune it !

@ericjohnson4877 3 months ago

Dang, I'm a long time guitar player that kinda switched over to mostly playing bass now, overplaying seems to come naturally for me. Gotta build that discipline to stick to the motif, so to speak

@GazAce 3 months ago

Wow! Thanks Ryan, that was so cool & good pinky practice too! I'm going to use that groove with my super dooper looper pedal then conjure stuff up over it. First time viewing your channel & you're great. I'll be back again for sure. Cheers G 😎🎸

@patrickdehertogh2080 3 months ago

Schecter bass? Thanks for the many years of tips, oh and making your workbooks spiral bound.

@MrBlakewells 3 months ago

Fun groove! Typically, on what beat of a measure would you place the dominate 7 at the beginning of the groove? Would you place it on beat 1, or would you put it on the previous measure so that the root note would be on beat 1?

@Marburger28 3 months ago

Hey Ryan, I’ve noticed in your vids that your left hand technique has you placing the fretting fingers almost directly on top of the target frets. Maybe you’ve addressed this before, but my question is do you do that as a matter of good technique practice or is that something you’re just used to doing?
Thanks for all the great articles and vids over the years 😃.

@JKDavisjr 3 months ago

Hi. Its easy for me to know what string and fret. Don’t know 7’s and Dorian. Rhythm is what I use. I know you have tabs but it’s 6notes to learn. I’m just sayin’.