
DJ Phillips profiles the guitarists that created and nurtured the funk sound.
Lesson 1
DJ Phillips starts out his funk guitar series with an overview of what he'll be covering in lessons to come.
Length: 2:38 Difficulty: 1.0 Members OnlyLesson 2
In this lesson DJ profiles guitarist Jimmy Nolan, one of the original members of the James Brown band.
Length: 34:58 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 3
DJ introduces Catfish Collins and begins to profile his sounds and technique.
Length: 10:03 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 4
DJ takes another in depth look at Catfish Collins' playing style with "in the style of" licks.
Length: 14:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 5
DJ begins to talk about Leo Nocentelli, the guitarist for The Meters.
Length: 3:57 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 6
DJ breaks down an "in the style of" lick made famous by Leo Nocentelli.
Length: 5:06 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 7
DJ provides yet another look at a famous "in the style of" lick from guitarist Leo Nocentelli.
Length: 4:02 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 8
DJ provides another "in the style of" lick from The Meters' guitaris Leo Nocentelli.
Length: 4:37 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 9
DJ provides the final lick in the style of Leo Nocentelli.
Length: 5:05 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 10
DJ begins lesson 10 of his funk series by going over one of Curtis Mayfield's signature licks.
Length: 4:10 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 11
DJ returns with another look at a signature look from guitarist Curtis Mayfield.
Length: 5:25 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 12
DJ returns with another "in the style of" lick from Curtis Mayfield.
Length: 6:26 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 13
DJ demonstrates an "in the style of" lick from Curtis Mayfield that centers around an F#m7 chord.
Length: 3:56 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 14
DJ demonstrates the fifth "in the style of" lick from Curtis Mayfield.
Length: 3:38 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 15
DJ offers up the final "in the style of" lick from Curtis Mayfield.
Length: 5:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
About DJ Phillips
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Like many guitar players who began playing around the same time, DJ began plunking out Nirvana and Soundgarden tunes when he first picked up the guitar in the mid-nineties. While these grunge-y roots certainly have their merit, it wasn't until DJ's eldest sister took him to a Led Zeppelin laser light show that the full potential of the guitar began to come into focus.
With Jimmy Page's Les Paul pyrotechnics as his inspiration, DJ began fervently practicing for hours on end in the suburban jungle of Southwestern Ohio. This newfound passion (combined with his complete lack of athletic prowess and physical coordination thus completely ruling out all sports) led him to form rock bands in junior high and high school. He grew to love the performance aspect of music and soon decided on it as a career path.
College led him to Nashville, Tennessee where he began to pursue a degree in Commercial Music at Belmont University. He also started another band and got his first professional theater gig the following summer. Since that summer, DJ has spent nearly every waking hour finding ways to play music and avoiding a real contribution to society in any other way.
He moved to Minneapolis after college, rocking out between theater gigs with his current rock band Brother Big Bad. He has now convinced the band to move to Nashville where music flows like water.
DJ is elated to be a part of JamPlay and is thankful for everyone's warm welcome and says "Now, let's ROCK, people."
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.I'm having trouble with the D7/9 voicing. The f# won't ring properly, it's always muted by my middle finger. Do you have any advice for me?
I'm having trouble with the D7/9 voicing. The f# won't ring properly, it's always muted by my middle finger. Do you have any advice for me?
Hey DJ. Really enjoying the series - thanks man. The reason why I'm learning the guitar is from being a Prince fan - expecially when he's jamming funk - which makes this series a must. Any chance of doing some Princely licks? Also, I've got a cheap guitar and amp so I can't get the sound you achieve. What guitar and amp do you use to get that heavenly chicken sound?
DJ, what do you do when your ring finger will absolutely not bend for the barre on the D9 chord:(((
Great lesson, now I've just got to get myself on here more often!
GREAT LESSONN! Thanks DJ! AWWWWWWWWW YEAHHHHHHHH!
GREAT LESSONN! Thanks DJ! AWWWWWWWWW YEAHHHHHHHH!
I have heard of Jimmy Nolen before, but never really heard much about him. I do like funky bluesy music. Now that I have made the opportunity to go on here and learn more about funk and blues, and some of the history of that, I would consider myself a fan of Jimmy Nolen now. I like his style of playing, and the licks and riffs of his, not only that but, i've learned some new chords and they sound pretty cool. And I think I could benefit from this. Thanks DJ.
Hi DJ - thanks, great material. Do you think you might insert Upstroke/ Downstroke signs into the tabs for us? Best, Erik
Seriously sweet stuff. Thanks DJ gotta go funk now :)
Dear DJ, I went through most of your lessons on funk and they are really incredible and will take time to get to a reasonable level. "I feel good" by James Brown starts A(quick strum once) and then D7 like a horn sound ( back and forth on D7 and C#7). I have tried it many times and may be I am doing something wrong there. It does not sound clear , most likely I am playing the strumming wrong Can you teach us at least the first line of the song at a slow tempo as most likely there will be a licence issue if you teach us the whole song. Thank you Regards Rama
Thanks for doing the funk! Great lesson
Hey guys! Tabs are now (finally) up for this lesson.
I've always been more of a rhythm player who enjoys many styles of music. With that said, funk guitar is definitely one of my favorites styles to jam too. These lesson seriously have me grooving more then ever and I thank you for that. Your doing a great job - please keep them coming!!
I gotta say this bookmark feature rules! DJ wants to go on and I say "hey hey hey! not so fast buddy! Rewind" :)
I've always been more of a rhythm who player enjoys many styles of music. With that said, funk guitar is definitely one of my favorites to jam too. These lesson seriously have me grooving more then ever and I thank you for that. Your doing a great job - please keep them coming!!
sha-ka-ta-ka-ta-ka-yeah! Thanks so much. That's the Stuff i really need for my accompaniment playing. :-)
Yeah!