Funk Music: Alto Sax Sheet

Get your groove on with this alto sax sheet music for funk classics like “Superstition” and “I Wish.”

What is Funk Music?

Funk is a style of music that originated in the United States in the early 1970s. It is a blend of African-American rhythm and blues, soul, and funk. Funk music is characterized by a strong groove, often created by extended saxophone or guitar solos, and by a distinctive bassline.

The Origins of Funk Music

Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul, jazz, and R&B. Funk yields an infectious groove by way of its strong bassline and syncopated drum patterns.

Funk’s first wave coincided with the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power movement of the 1960s. James Brown’s 1968 song “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” Spartacus became an anthem of the Black Power movement. As the style developed and spread, it absorbed other influences such as soul, Latin music, and even psychedelic rock.

Funkadelic, Parliament-Funkadelic, Bootsy’s Rubber Band, The Meters, Sly & The Family Stone, Morris Day and The Time are some of the most well-known funk groups/artists. Funk has also been incorporated into disco (a.k.a “funked-up disco”), R&B/soul (e.g., Stevie Wonder), rap (e.g., De la Soul’s “Me Myself And I”), rock (e.g., Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality”), and pop (e.g., Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”).

The Elements of Funk Music

Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-1960s when African American musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of soul music, jazz, and rhythm and blues (R&B). Funkateers typically use the saxophone as their primary instrument.

The basic elements of funk are a strong backbeat (usually provided by drums and electric bass) repetitious electric guitar riffs often played with fuzztone, wah-wah, or slide guitar techniques, and horn sections consisting of trumpets, trombones, and saxophones playing rhythmic “riffs” based on chord progressions used in earlier forms of popular music such as blues. Funk songs are often based on an extended vamp on a single chord. Most funk bands have a section of several instruments playing interlocking rhythms. These rhythms may be played by the rhythm section instruments (drums, electric bass, or rhythm guitar), or they may be played independently by other instruments such as horns or keyboard instruments.

The Characteristics of Funk Music

Funk is a style of music that was popularized in the 1970s. It is often described as a mix of soul, R&B, and rock. Funk songs are usually based on a heavy groove that is created by the rhythm section. The lead instruments in funk songs often use short, syncopated rhythms. Funk music often has a call-and-response relationship between the vocals and the instruments.

Funk Music Today

Funk music is a genre that was popularized in the 1970s. It is a style of music that is based on a strong groove and often has a percussive feel. Funk songs often have horns and require tightSyncopation between the instruments. The alto saxophone is a common instrument in funk bands, and this sheet music provides the solo parts for 12 popular funk songs.