Funk Tutorial - Intermediate

This video offers an exploration into different harmonic and rhythmic possibilities to use after you've started to develop a solo. Remember, start with a solid foundation first and then build on it. As Volvoxburger says, "Don't come in burning--let the groove lay in". After you've been grooving for a while, then you might want to think about adding some of the techniques displayed in this video.

Note the heavy use of quick "side-stepping" into adjacent pentatonic scales, as well as exploring the 1/2 step - whole step (sometimes referred to as 1/2 diminished) scale. I have also decided to add a "B" section where I sustain and change the chords to a F#-7/B (Bsus7) then to a B7 add 13. I also throw a B7 with #11 in there.

The improvisation is still all about phrasing that makes sense, tension and release, and telling a story (composing).

I have added a short section at the end which briefly re-caps the scales and chords used in the video.

A midi file of my solo and a PDF notation file of my solo and the .MP3 backing track used in this video are available here:
http://www.Lot2Learn.com

Notes:
Thanks to Jamal and www.MIDIKeyz.com for the on-screen midi keyboard display.
FP-4 keyboard controlling Lounge Lizard VSTi.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Funk
• funky
• pentatonic
• minor
• tutorial
• jazz
• piano
• lesson
• improvisation
• rhodes
• lot2learn
• roger
• friedman
• volvoxburger

[GudinDmitry]

This is amazing! Usually, after you learn all that vast theory, you ask: OK, what now, how do I use it in an actual playing? This was my case: playing on guitar, I stumbled on the stage when could pretty easily copy others' playing but was pretty lame in improvisations. That is when such lessons as yours become necessary. Thank you, sir! I have never met such easy and, at the same time, extremely useful lessons.

[Lot2learn]

@GudinDmitry I greatly appreciate your comment - thanks. ;-)

[LoveFoPrince]

the link 2 the backing loop doesnt work anymore, any chance that u could post another link?

THANKS!

[Lot2learn]

@LoveFoPrince I have put the link on my Lot2Learn website under the video listing for this song.

[jrmagrelis]

very instrutive, we can learn a lot from your harmonies and scales constructions....good job....continue working and posting your lessons....God bless you....

[Lot2learn]

@jrmagrelis Thanks for your comment.

[2012lacruz]

I highly appreciate your piano tutorial. I study jazz piano and I have a long way to go.

[JeriDro]

im a beginner is there anyway you can make a slower speed video of this? thanks!

[PieterDave]

hello, can any one give me the numbers of the pentatonic and pentatonic minor scale please?

Like blues scale 1, 3b,4,4#,5,7b,8

[ShakerCuda71]

oh ya this is intermediate, lol

[therealsweep]

Superb. The scales and so on at the end are especially useful. That's a nice balance between demonstrating the music at full speed and providing the building-blocks in an understandable way.

[TheBMXlove]

@Eu19081975

Good

[Eu19081975]

I am Brazilian I do not know English, but it could not find a way to compliment your work ...

You have done well!

(I'm using google translator)

[alaincharnier1971]

wow cool stuff. I think I would've ran out of solo ideas within the first 60 seconds