What Makes Music Funk?
Contents
What makes music funk? Is it the beat? The lyrics? The style? Or is it something else entirely? Join us as we explore the answer to this question and more in our latest blog post.
The Groove
Funk is a style of music that emerged in the mid-1960s. It is a blend of soul, R&B, and rock. Funk is characterized by a strong bass line and a driving rhythm. The word “funk” comes from the French word funk, which means “smell.” This is because the style of music was often associated with a strong smell, such as marijuana or cigarettes.
The backbeat
In popular music, the backbeat is the rhythm section instrument(s), typically drums or percussion, that keeps the tempo and plays the “off-beats”. There is no single backbeat tempo, but most funk songs are in 4/4 or 6/8 time. Backbeat can also be described as “a break in the musical meter that happens on beats 2 and 4 in 4/4 time or on beats 3 and 7 in 3/4 time”.
It is important to note that while backbeats are usually played by percussion instruments, they can occasionally be found in other parts of the song as well. For example, in some funk songs, the backbeat can be found in the guitar part.
The pocket
The pocket is the crux of the groove. It’s that place where the rhythmic feels locks in and becomes unstoppable. A good pocket will make you want to move, and keep you moving until the music stops. But what exactly is the pocket? And how do you find it?
The pocket is defined by the relationship between the kick drum and the snare drum. The kick drum provides the foundation or bottom end, while the snare provides the backbeat or top end. These two elements are essential for creating a groove, but they’re not enough on their own. The key to finding the pocket is in how these two elements interact with each other.
The relationship between the kick and snare can be thought of as a push and pull. The kick pushes forward while the snare pulls back. This tension is what gives funk its danceable groove. It’s also what makes funk so difficult to play accurately. The tightness of the groove depends on everyone in the band being able to lock into this push and pull dynamic.
Finding the pocket is a matter of feel more than anything else. It’s about understanding how these two elements interact with each other and then being able to reproduce that feel consistently. This is why a good funk drummer is worth their weight in gold. They just have that certain something that allows them to lock into the pocket and keep everyone else locked in too.
The Feel
Funk is a type of feel, or groove, in music. It’s a style that became popular in the late 1960s and 1970s. Funk is often described as a mixture of R&B, soul, and rock. The word funk can also be used to describe a style of dance.
The pocket
The pocket is the groove that the drummer and bass player lock into which provides the foundation or platform on which the rest of the band plays. It is similar to a heartbeat in that it provides a consistent pulse that propels the music forward. The pocket is usually created by the drumbeat, but can also be influenced by the other instruments in the rhythm section.
A good pocket will make you feel like you can dance all night, or nod your head unconsciously. It’s a groove that makes you want to move. The pocket is often created by the drummer, but can be influenced by other instruments in the rhythm section as well.
The groove
When we talk about the feel of music, we’re referring to the overall vibe or atmosphere that a piece of music creates. In a lot of ways, the feel is just as important as the melody and harmony in a song. After all, what’s the point of a catchy melody if it doesn’t make you feel something?
In funk music, the feel is everything. The whole point of funk is to make you move, to get your body grooving along with the beat. And that groove is created by the rhythm section: the drums, bass, and any other percussion instruments.
The drums are usually the anchor of the groove, keeping time while the other instruments ” funked up” around them. The bass might play some syncopated rhythms or hold down a long groove with some repetition. And the percussion instruments often contribute to both the rhythm and feel of the music with their unique sounds and patterns.
Together, these elements create a solid foundation that allows the other instruments to really let loose and have some fun. So when you’re listening to funk, pay attention to how the rhythm section makes you feel. Do you want to dance? Do you feel like Grooving along? That’s what funk is all about!
The Attitude
Funk is a music genre that is often characterized by its groove. This means that the musicians playing funk music are focused on playing tightly together in order to create a pocket. The pocket is the space in between the drums and bass where the other instruments can fill in. This focus on groove creates a feel that is undeniable and makes funk music so fun to listen to.
The pocket
In funk, the correct placement of notes within the rhythm section is essential to keep the music “in the pocket”. The pocket is a term used by funk and hip-hop drummers to describe the perfect placement of the backbeat, or “2 and 4”. The backbeat is where the majority of the drums’ power is placed, and it’s important that it falls on these beats so that the groove feels tight and together.
There are a few different ways to play around with the backbeat and create different feels in funk. One way is to move it up or down within the measure. For example, you could play a 2 and 4 on beats 1 and 3, or on beats 2 and 4. This gives the music a more syncopated feel, and can be used to create more interest in your groove.
Another way to play with the backbeat is to add embellishments on top of it. These could be anything from Ghost notes (very light, unaccented notes) to cymbal crashes. These embellishments help to add texture and interest to your groove, and can make your drumming sound more intricate.
The groove
Funk is a music genre that originated in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It has a distinctive rhythm, which is often syncopated, and a heavy emphasis on the downbeat. The style is characterized by percussive drums, bass guitar, and often horn instruments.
Funk developed from African American music traditions such as blues and Soul. It typically features a horn section playing riff-based lines, with a strong emphasis on groove. The genre expanded in the 1970s to include elements of rock and pop music, as well as Latin and Brazilian influences.
The term “funk” can be used to refer to both the music and the dance style associated with it. The word was originally used in a negative way to describe something that was unpleasant or off-putting, but it was later reclaimed by fans of the genre.
