The Best Funk Bass Players to Get You Grooving
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Looking for some funky bass inspiration? Check out our list of the best funk bass players to get you grooving!
Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins has been funk bass player since the 1970s. He is best known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic and his own band, Bootsy’s New Rubber Band. He has a unique style of playing that has influenced many other bass players.
His style
Collins’ style is based on the use of his thumb and first two fingers only (he considered adding a fourth finger, but this was vetoed by Bootzilla), which gives his playing a signature percussive sound. In addition to ghost notes and slapping, he also incorporates his own brand of “atomic funk”, inspired by James Brown’s bandleader Bootsy Collins is often credited as one of the most influential bass guitarists in the history of rock and roll. He is best known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic during the 1970s and for his solo career which began in the 1980s. His unique playing style has been an integral part of the funk genre from its inception.
Collins was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a singer and his father was himself a semi-professional musician who played saxophone and guitar. Collins began playing bass guitar at an early age, inspired by James Brown and Larry Graham. He first rose to prominence as a member of Brown’s backing band, The J.B.’s
His technique
Bootsy Collins is one of the most iconic and influential bass players of all time. He is most well known for his work with Parliament-Funkadelic and his own solo projects. His unique style and sound has influenced generations of bass players.
Collins’s playing style is a signature mix of funk, soul, and R&B. He often uses a technique called “slap bass”, where he slaps the strings with the back of his hand to create a percussive, groove-heavy sound. This technique helped to define the sound of funk music and make it one of the most distinctive genres of popular music.
Les Claypool
Les Claypool is a highly influential bass player and he has helped shape the sound of modern funk bass playing. He has a unique style that is all his own, and he is known for his use of effects and his advanced techniques. Claypool is also a very versatile bass player, and he has played in a wide variety of genres.
His style
Les Claypool is a highly respected and sought-after bass player, known for his unique and innovative style. His playing combines elements of funk, rock, jazz, and even bluegrass, creating a sound that is both immediately recognizable and totally original. His approach to the bass guitar is totally his own, and he has always pushed the instrument to its limits, experimenting with new techniques and sounds. As a result, he has influenced a generation of bass players who are now carrying on his legacy.
His technique
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Les Claypool is widely considered one of the best funk bass players in the world. His unique playing style has earned him a place among the greats, and he has inspired a new generation of bassists.
Claypool’s technique is based on a strong groove, with syncopated patterns and a deep pocket. He often uses percussive techniques, slap bass, and chicken picking to add texture and interest to his playing. His style is sometimes called “thumper funk,” due to his tendency to heavily thump the low strings.
Claypool’s sound is also characterized by a heavy use of effects. He is known for his use of envelope filters, octave pedals, and wah-wah pedals. He often combines these effects with his percussive playing to create an otherworldly sound that is both groovy and funky.
If you’re looking for a bass player who can bring the funk, Les Claypool is your man. His unique style and technique are sure to get you grooving.
Mark King
Mark King is a British bassist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the lead singer and bassist for the 1980s pop/rock band Level 42. He has also worked with a number of other artists, including Tears for Fears, Mike + The Mechanics, Paul Young, and Gary Numan. King’s style of playing is often described as funk, but he has also incorporated elements of rock, jazz, and reggae into his music.
His style
Mark King is one of the most well-known funk bass players, and for good reason. He has a unique style that incorporates elements of punk, reggae, and even metal. His aggressive playing style is perfect for any funk song that needs a little extra groove.
His technique
Mark King is known for his use of a “slap” technique on the bass. This involves using the side of the hand to strike the string, instead of using a pick. The resulting sound is a much percussive and “punchy” tone that is perfect for funk music. He is also known for his use of double stops, or playing two notes at the same time. This gives his playing a very thick, “fat” sound that really fills up the mix in a funk band.
Victor Wooten
If you’re looking for the best funk bass player to get you grooving, look no further than Victor Wooten. Wooten is a five-time Grammy Award winner and is considered one of the best bass players in the world. He has performed with some of the biggest names in music, including Snoop Dogg, Steve Vai, and Bela Fleck.
His style
Victor Wooten’s style has been described as “unorthodox”. He is known for using percussive slaps and pops, evident in songs such as “Scooby-Doo Theme” and “Come Together”. Wooten is also known for his use of harmonics and tapping. He often records with five or sixstring electric basses, but has also been known to use acoustic basses, fretless basses, and standup basses.
His technique
Wooten is one of the most influential bass guitarists of our time. He is the recipient of five Grammy Awards, has been voted Bass Player magazine’s “Best Funk Bassist” five times and was named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Bass Players of All Time.” Wooten has been a member of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones since 1988 and his own band, the Victor Wooten Band, since 1997.
In addition to his work as a solo artist and bandleader, Wooten has released several instructional books and DVDs, founded the Victor Wooten Center for Music and Nature in 2009 and Bass/Nature Camp in 2016, and hosts an annual music festival, Victor Wooten’s Summer Music Camp.
