Funk Bass for Beginners | The TrueFire Collection

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Bass is very prominent in funk music. Whether it's slap and pop thumb bass ala Marcus Miller, Les Claypool, Bootsy Collins, Flea or the rapid-fire finger funk of players like Tower of Power bassist Francis Rocco Prestia, James Jameson, or the great Jaco Pastorius. You’ll also hear funky bass techniques and grooves in other popular styles of music such as rock, blues, R&B, and jazz. Recording artist, composer, and monster bassist, Stu Hamm is also one of the pioneers of the funky slap, tap and pop techniques that are so popular today in so many styles of music. Stu’s Funk Bass for Beginners is designed to give you all the tools you need to be comfortable playing funk bass in any style of music where bass is so prominently featured. Learn more or start the course with membership

Course Details
78 Lessons
2 Hour+ Runtime
Tabs (gpx, pdf)
Playalong Tracks
HD+ Video
90 day guarantee
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Meet Stu Hamm

Stu Hamm attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he met guitarist Steve Vai and, through him, met Joe Satriani. Hamm played bass on Vai's debut solo album, Flex-Able, which was released in 1984. Hamm has performed and recorded with Steve Vai, Frank Gambale, Joe Satriani, and many other well-respected guitarists. It was playing live on tour with Satriani that brought Hamm's skills to national attention. Subsequent recordings with Satriani and other rock/fusion artists along with the release of his own solo recordings solidified his reputation as a bassist and performer.

SECTIONS 1-2

REQUIRED SKILLS

  • Warm-ups
  • Stretching
  • Syncopations
  • Thumb bounce and tone
  • Thumb popping technique

SECTIONS 3-4

MORE TOOLS OF THE TRADE

  • Slides
  • Double-stops
  • Hammer-ons
  • Paradiddles

SECTIONS 5-7

ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

  • Finger Funk Techniques
  • Tri-tone Double-stops
  • Maximizing Open Strings

Funk Bass for Beginners

Learn Essential Slap, Pop, and Finger Funk Techniques

Stu organized the course into 7 sections. In the first section, you’ll work on warm-ups, stretching, thumb tone, syncopation, thumb bounce, and a funky playalong. The second section is all about popping with your thumb. In the third section, you’ll tackle slides and double-stops.

In the fourth section, Stu shows you how to play hammer-ons and paradiddles. The fifth section is dedicated to finger funk techniques. Tritone double-stops is focused on in the sixth section. And finally, in section seven, Stu shows you how to get the most out of open strings. All of the sections feature playalongs so that you can immediately apply the new techniques in a musical context. This course offers 78 lessons covering 2+ hours of material in step-by-step, digestible presentation.

Lessons in this Course
1

Funk Bass for Beginners: Introduction

Welcome to Funk Bass for Beginners! Here in this course, we are going to learn some of the basic tecniques you need to start playing funk bass. You will learn how to get a good solid tone by striking the string with your thumb, by plucking up on the strings to get that "popping" sound. We work on combining the two and then we will work on "finger funk" in the style of TOP bassist Rocco Prestia and Jaco. We'll also learn a few 'double stops" to add flavor to your funk! The best thing -- you'll play your way through this course. I've designed it to get you up to speed quick and I'll point out a lot of the pitfalls that beginners tend to get stuck in, and how to avoid them, when working on challenging funk techniques on bass. Let's get started!

2:23 Runtime

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2

Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 1: Funky Thumb: Overview

This first section of the course is all about the thumb. We'll talk about things like how to angle the thumb, the way you use the thumb to sound the strings, bouncing off the strings, and all the other details you need to know about striking the bass with the thumb.

0:29 Runtime

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3

Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 1: Warm-up & Stretching: Demonstration

It's critically important to warm up and stretch before you play your bass. Just like an athlete, playing a musical instrument is a physical activity. Work on creating some of your own warm up routines as you develop. In this lesson I'll give you some great exercises and stretches to loosen up your body and get ready to play without pain and without any strain. Keep it loose!

4:45 Runtime

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4

Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 2: Thumb Tone: Demonstration

Now let's dig in to some proper thumb technique. It takes time to develop a good slap thumb technique and there's a lot of different things you need to be thinking about. It's just as important to understand what you shouldn't do as it is to know what you should do. We'll talk about both in this video. Always trust your ear and when it sounds good, you'll know you're doing it right!

5:16 Runtime

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5

Funk Bass for Beginners - Open String Thumb Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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6

Funk Bass for Beginners - Open String Thumb Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:54 Runtime

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7

Funk Bass for Beginners - Fretted Thumb Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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8

Funk Bass for Beginners - Fretted Thumb Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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9

Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 3: Syncopation: Demonstration

One of the biggest things to understand about funk bass lines is that they are often syncopated like the pattern that a drummer plays. One of the things that I found helpful early on in my funk journey was looking at drum patterns in any kind of instructional charts I could find. I would try to replicate the sound of the kick drum with my thumb and the snap of the snare with a pop. We'll get to popping later in the course, but for now you want to start thinking of your thumb like a kick drum. Listen to some of your favorite records and try to imitate the kick drum pattern the drummer is playing with your thumb.

0:56 Runtime

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10

Funk Bass for Beginners - Syncopated Thumb Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

1:11 Runtime

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11

Funk Bass for Beginners - Syncopated Thumb Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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12

Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 4: Thumb Bounce: Demonstration

As the figures you play with your thumb start to get faster, you'll need to work on getting a controlled bounce of your thumb. Learning to bounce the thumb off the string is a great way to prevent injury in your arm, wrist or hand. If you force it, you can hurt yourself. So as we work through the upcoming exercises, try to always keep a relaxed approach in the muscles of your arm and be careful to work on getting a nice loose bounce off the strings, similar to when a drummer does a press-roll on his snare drum.

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13

Funk Bass for Beginners - Thumb Bounce Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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14

Funk Bass for Beginners - Thumb Bounce Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:41 Runtime

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15

Funk Bass for Beginners - Thumb Bounce Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 5: Funky Thumb Jam: Demonstration

In order to play our first song, we're going to combine a few of the skills we've worked on so far and build a little funky jam to hone your technique. In this lesson I'll break down and explain everything you need to know to be able to play it. We're applying familiar skills here but throwing in a few new notes, so let's get this thing together and we'll start working it up to speed over the next few lessons.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Funky Thumb Jam: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:20 Runtime

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18

Funk Bass for Beginners - Funky Thumb Jam: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

1:46 Runtime

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Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 2: Funk Popping: Overview

In this section we're going to work on your popping technique in your right hand. This skill is an essential tool we've all heard our funk bass heroes put to use on records. Later we'll work on combining it with the thumb but we'll start by drilling your finger pops alone so you can build a solid approach.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 6: Popping Technique: Demonstration

Just like with thumb slaps, with finger popping it's essential to understand both what TO DO and what NOT TO DO, so I'll break down both for you so you'll know what to shoot for. Proper technique is critical here both to keep you from getting injured and for getting a great sound. You need to work this SLOW. Take your time and practice staying relaxed and getting the right tone out of the strings. If you do this right and you drill it enough, you'll find it becomes almost an effortless motion, which will set you up for combining pops with slaps in the future.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Popping Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

1:15 Runtime

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22

Funk Bass for Beginners - Popping Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:25 Runtime

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Popping Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 7: Thumb & Popping: Demonstration

It's time to start combining the thumb and fingers together. Pay close attention to the way my hand aligns with the fretboard and where my thumb and fingers contact the strings. It's all in the wrist. This is where we start to build some economy of motion in the two techniques that make for some really fast and funky patterns down the road. Take your time here.

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25

Funk Bass for Beginners - Thumb & Popping Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

1:24 Runtime

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26

Funk Bass for Beginners - Thumb & Popping Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:27 Runtime

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Thumb & Popping Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:15 Runtime

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28

Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 8: Funk Pop Jam: Demonstration

We're getting ready to jam with another band track. Pay attention to this breakdown so that you dont miss any of the details on how this pattern comes together. We're combining familiar techniques with some new notes again here. Work this exercise until you have it smooth and clean and then I'll see you in the practice session coming up next.

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29

Funk Bass for Beginners - Funk Pop Jam: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:22 Runtime

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30

Funk Bass for Beginners - Funk Pop Jam: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

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31

Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 3: Slides & Double Stops: Overview

In this section we'll spice our funk lines up with some slides and double stops. Let's dig in!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 9: Slides: Demonstration

One of the most fun things about playing bass is sliding into notes. There are a ton of variations on this technique and in this lesson I'll show you a handful of applications you can work on. Slides are used all the time in funk bass and they are a great way to lead into grooves or to break up little sections. You can also use small slides to embellish notes in the middle of grooves. Let's take an indepth look at this technique here.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 10: Double Stops: Demonstration

Double stops are when you play two notes at one time. They are tricky to pull off as you have to fret two notes, sometimes with one finger and sometimes with two. Double stops are used in some of the most popular funky bass lines around. In this example I'll show you how to play a minor third, much like what Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea plays on the song "Give it Away".

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Slide & Double Stop Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

0:59 Runtime

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Slide & Double Stop Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Slide & Double Stop Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 11: Give Away Funk Jam: Demonstration

In this lesson I'll show you how to combine some of the techniques we've been working on to play a groove you may find familiar. Not really much new here, but we'll be applying some of the slides and doublestops we worked on to a new groove with some new target notes. This one is going to be fun, so pay attention and make sure you can nail the pattern before moving on to the practice session. See you there!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Give Away Funk Jam: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

1:54 Runtime

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Give Away Funk Jam: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 4: Hammer-Ons & Paradiddles: Overview

In this section we'll spice our funk bass lines up with some hammer-ons and paradiddles. Let's dig in!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 12: Hammer-Ons: Demonstration

Hammer-ons is a technique you'll use a lot in your bass lines. Whether you're playing funk or not, you can't lose by spending some time working on this. When you combine hammer-ons with your slap or pop technique you can come up with some really funky stuff. In this lesson I'll show you some of the basics of the technique that will help make you more efficient and comfortable playing hammer-ons on your bass. Spend some time with this. It will pay off down the road.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Hammer-On Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Hammer-On Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Hammer-On Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 13: Paradiddles: Demonstration

Now let's talk about paradiddles. Again, this is a funky bass technique that gets its roots from drumming. Are you seeing all the parallels here yet? In a bass context, paradiddles are groupings of four notes played in a percussive manner on your strings with a pattern of like and alternate strokes. Timing is everything with this sort of thing, so take the time to work on it slow so you can play clean and get a great sound.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Paradiddle Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Paradiddle Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Paradiddle Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 14: Hammerin' Paradiddle Ditty: Demonstration

In this lesson I'll show you how to combine some of the techniques we've been working on to play another funky groove, this time focusing on hammer-ons and paradiddles. Not really much new here, but we'll be applying some of the stuff we worked on to a new groove with some new target notes. Let's give it a try and be sure that you can nail the pattern before moving on to the practice session. See you there!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Hammerin' Paradiddle Ditty: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Hammerin' Paradiddle Ditty: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Hammerin' Paradiddle Ditty: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 5: Finger Funk: Overview

In this section we'll take a look at a completely different approach to funk bass lines up with some rapid finger funk. Let's dig in!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 15: Finger Funk: Demonstration

Francis Rocco Prestia and Jaco Pastorius were some of the major pioneers of this style of funky bass approach. Probably even more than with slapping and popping, staying relaxed and comfortable here is going to be critical to playing fast.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Finger Funk Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Finger Funk Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Finger Funk Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 16: Funky Finger Jam: Demonstration

In this lesson I'll show you how to combine some of the techniques we've been working on to play another funky groove, this time focusing on that funky finger approach. I'll walk you through the pattern nice and slow, but we will be applying some of the stuff we worked on to a new groove with some new target notes. Let's give it a try and be sure that you can nail the pattern before moving on to the practice session. See you there!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Funky Finger Jam: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Funky Finger Jam: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Funky Finger Jam: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 6: Tritone Doublestops: Overview

In this section we'll spice our funk bass lines up with some tri-tone doublestops. Let's dig in!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 17: Tritone Doublestops: Demonstration

We talked about using double stops to add color to your lines using the thumb technique, but now we're going to explore double stops again in the finger funk approach. While we do this, we're going to look at something we call the tritone interval and some ways you can embellish it.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Tritone Doublestops Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Tritone Doublestops Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 18: Tritone Doubles Jam: Demonstration

In this lesson I'll show you how to combine some of the techniques we've been working on to play another funky groove, this time focusing on tritone doublestops. Not really much new here, but we'll be applying some of the stuff we worked on to a new groove with some new target notes. Let's give it a try and be sure that you can nail the pattern before moving on to the practice session. See you there!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Tritone Doublestops Jam: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Tritone Doublestops Jam: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - SECTION 7: Open Strings: Overview

In this section we'll work on incorporating open string notes into our funk bass lines. Let's dig in!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 19: Open Strings: Demonstration

Using open strings is one of my favorite techniques for even more movement and speed out of your finger funk bass lines. James Jamerson uses this alot and it's a staple of funk bass playing. Again, it's all about efficiency when you want speed. This lesson will equip you with the basic concept.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Open Strings Workout: Practice Session: Demo

Ok, it's time to work on an exercise together to get this technique happening. In this video I'll be giving you a quick demo of how it works. Pay attention and take your time here. It's critically important that you don't rush these things. Make sure you're comfortable with the mechanics here before you even move on to the practice session. As soon as you're ready, come join me in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Open Strings Workout: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Open Strings Workout: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Lesson 20: Open Strings Jam: Demonstration

In this lesson I'll show you how to combine some of the techniques we've been working on to play another funky groove, this time focusing on our open string approaches. Not really much new here, but we'll be applying some of the stuff we worked on to a new groove with some new target notes. Let's give it a try and be sure that you can nail the pattern before moving on to the practice session. See you there!

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Open Strings Jam: Playalong: Slow

Now let's play that exercise together with the click. We'll take it at an easy tempo here so you can really focus on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise -- even if you have to put the bass down and come back to it in your next session. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Open Strings Jam: Playalong: Fast

Alright, let's play through that exercise together with the click again. This time we'll bump up the tempo a bit, but you'll still really need to focus on getting the technique together and making sure you sound good. Listen to the metronome and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. If you're having trouble getting at this tempo, stop and move back to the slower tempo before coming back to this one. You'll make slower progress if you skip ahead to quick and don't take the time to make sure you're developing a solid technique, getting good tone, and playing in time. Don't move on until you have this down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners - Open Strings Jam: Playalong: With the Band

Let's jam that exercise again and this time, we're bringing in the band. As always, work on getting the technique down and making sure you sound good. Listen to the groove and try to divide your focus between trying to nail the timing and getting a great sound out of the strings. Take your time here and repeat the exercise as many times as it takes to be able to nail this exercise. Don't move on until you have it down. See you in the next lesson.

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Funk Bass for Beginners: Conclusion

We've learned a LOT in this course, and if you spend the time on all of the lessons and playalongs here, you're well on your way to being a great funk bassist! Thank you for joining me here. If you enjoyed the experience, you should check out my other courses here on TrueFire where we dig deeper and wider on a variety of topics that will take your bass playing to the next level. I also have an "In The Jam" pack with my buddies Carl Verheyen and Jonathan Mover where you'll learn new bass lines and a lot more about grooving with a rhythm section. If you dig the interactive playalong approach, you'll love that. Remember, if it sounds good, then you're doing it right! See you soon.

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