Thumping, slapping, popping, and snapping. Right-Hand Technique: Developing independence and speed.
The root (E5) is played on the "&" of 4, not the 1. The 7th fret (B note) creates tension. This is the "Beginning Funk Bass" quintessential riff.
: Funk bass lines are highly syncopated. This means you’ll often play on off-beat parts of the rhythm. For beginners, practice playing along with a metronome to develop a strong sense of rhythm.
"Do not land on the 'One.' Be late. Play the 'One' slightly after the drummer's kick drum. That tension is the funk." basslessonabrahamlaborielbeginningfunkbass1pdf top
The educational framework is designed to move systematically from mechanical isolation to full musical performance. Core Objective Key Focus Areas Physical Mechanics Thumb placement, rotation of the wrist, string tracking Phase 2 Micro-Rhythms Alternating between fretted notes and ghost notes Phase 3
Funk is often about playing around the beat. Laboriel teaches how to play slightly behind, ahead, or directly on the beat to create different feelings, such as "conga line" cumbia or intense funk grooves.
Learning to play loud on the accent and soft on the ghost notes. 2. A Practice Routine for Funk Beginners Thumping, slapping, popping, and snapping
Help you from the "New Bass Concepts" video Give you tips on how to practice his 5-finger technique Let me know how you'd like to proceed ! Share public link
A fantastic free resource is the ongoing “Music Education Monday” series on . They published an article featuring Abraham Laboriel’s “Beginning Funk Bass” video. This is an excellent way to get a taste of the lesson and see if it’s right for you before you commit to buying the full DVD and book.
Funk bass is the heartbeat of modern music—a blend of rhythmic precision, melodic flair, and deep, percussive tone. If you are looking to master this art, there is perhaps no better mentor than the legendary . The 7th fret (B note) creates tension
Abraham Laboriel Sr. is the most recorded bassist in pop music history. With over 4,000 albums and 10,000 sessions (including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder), he didn't just play bass—he redefined it.
Funk is more than just a genre; it is a feeling, a pocket, and a rhythmic conversation between the drummer and the bassist. When it comes to laying down that irresistible, infectious groove, few musicians in history hold the legendary status of Abraham Laboriel . As the most widely used session bassist of our time, with over 4,000 recordings, Laboriel has defined the sound of funk, jazz, and pop bass for decades.
"Beginning Funk Bass" runs for approximately 40 minutes. It was initially released on VHS and later on DVD, often bundled with an accompanying lesson book (the elusive "PDF" that many users currently search for).