FUNK FUNDAMENTALS
Before tackling this course, you should be comfortable with all the material from Lesson 8 - Single String Melodies

Summary: 16th Note Picking

We continue where we left off in the previous lesson with two string melodies. We therefore need to take a close look at how to maintain your bouncy alternate picking whilst crossing individual strings. This is probably one of the most important funk lessons for any lead guitar player, so strap in and take note!


Rhythm: 16th NOTE PICKING ACROSS STRINGS

To build on the ideas we started in the last lesson, we will now attempt a cool 16th note single string groove, that crosses different strings. This is a little different to just playing a scale across strings, as we are continuously using ghost notes to add the groove. The best way to learn is with an example track, which we have for you here.


Tab: FUNKY PICKING 2

In this track we are playing a two bar loop, as you can see below. The main things to focus on here are exactly where those ghost notes fall within the bar, and making sure to keep a continuous alternative picking movement with your right hand. IMPORTANT: The first note on the G string should be an upstroke!


Audio: Full Track

If you would prefer to just dive straight in and play along with the audio tracks, they are here below. If you're really feeling confident, try with the backing track!


Theory: The Scale Shape

Just as before, we are using a pentatonic scale to create this funky part. This particular scale is the shape one in the key of A minor, which we’ve drawn out below. We would say that a rather large percentage of these style grooves use this exact shape in various keys, so get used to it!


Ready to move on? Remember to check out every lesson in this unit first – then try the next unit...

Lesson 10 - Putting It All Together!

In our final lesson from this course we will be putting everything we have learnt together in one super cool track. We'll be including a variety of chord shapes, 16th note strumming, ghost notes, double string melodies AND learning how to combine all of these techniques fluently!