I've been wondering about this quite a lot and not being a trained musician... What makes a song funky? It's not as simple as just saying that it's a feeling. You hear songs and think "this is funky!", but what is it that really makes it FUNK?. You have your basic instruments, tight bassline and such, and then what...? Rhythm, chords...?

And is there a certain topic and/or lyrical style the song has to have for it to be FUNK?

Funk is a style of music developed in the United States in the 1960s. It grew out of the soul tradition, but incorporated a more pronounced beat along with influences from rock, R&B, and jazz. Bass and drums are typically prominent in funk music. Other common funk instruments include electric guitar, electric organ, and a horn section. Funk had a lasting influence, notable in the disco music of the 1970s and later in hip-hop music. Funk songs from the 1960s and 70s are often sampled in modern hip-hop tracks.

While the bass line is brought to the forefront in funk, melody is downplayed. Rather than the chord changes common in earlier forms of music, a single chord is often used throughout a funk song. This emphasis on rhythm made for a more danceable form of music than blues or R&B.

James Brown was one of the pioneers of the funk genre in the 1960s, with such hits as the 1964 single "Out of Sight." His music stood out for its emphasis on the downbeat, the first beat of each measure, in contrast to the backbeat used in traditional soul music. In the 1970s, George Clinton breathed new life into funk music by incorporating psychedelic rock influences. His two bands, Parliament and Funkadelic, gave birth to a new subgenre known as P-Funk. Funk grew in popularity, and many jazz musicians of the era began to incorporate funk into their music.

While funk's heyday was in the 1970s, its influence remains strong in popular music. In the 1980s

When you can't control any movement that your body does when you hear the music.
Well, that's my definition. If you can't be still when the song comes on, it's fonky.

Hard beating drums and a strong rhythmic bassline.
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[Edited 12/10/08 14:27pm]

Graycap23 said:

Where did you copy and paste this from?
Sounds like it was written by a bunch of scientists.

Lyrics have nothing to do with funk. Lyrics are for the brain. Funk is for the ass.

vainandy said:

Seriously. Take "Rebirth of the Flesh" I don't know what the fuck P's talking about, but that song is so fonky I have to wipe my ass every time I listen to it.

Thanks Graycap! The technical part of that is quite helpful because I and some others have been arguing about what beat is usually emphasized... Are there any other, perhaps more dumb-proof explanations of the technical aspects...?
Working on a song...

vainandy said:

Wouldn't you say sexy/political/provocative lyrics and a lot of word playing are part of it (even if this doesn't include all songs)? If I listen to a lot of the material out there, especially the old-school stuff (which obviously also have a lot to do with the times...), I feel like it's a lot about making love not war, celebrating equalnes, individuality...
It's not like I feel I could make a REALLY funky song singing about how much I hate the world and want to shoot people.


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[Edited 12/10/08 14:46pm]

VenusBlingBling said:

Music can be funky without any lyrics at all.


tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Say Maceo, they tryin' to describe FUNK.
I don't know, if you can describe it it ain't FUNKY.

Not sure where I heard this.





tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

theAudience said:

, or as Mr Vincent says "describing the funk is like trying ot describe an orgasm".

Thing is, we're making this song for a show and we have to do everything on the computer which means we can't just do a jam session and create something funky like that. Only using music programmes we need vocals to make it more alive and fun... We're not musicians.
[Edited 12/10/08 14:52pm]

VenusBlingBling said:

Cool.

What programs are you using?


tA

Tribal Disorder

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theAudience said:

We've been trying different ones like Ableton Live and Samplitude, which is the one we favour at the moment.

VenusBlingBling said:

Not intimately familiar with the workings of Samplitude, but many of those programs include what might be called style templates.

Maybe there's a FUNK template.


tA

Tribal Disorder

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theAudience said:

The words "funk template" made me throw up in my mouth just a little.
Never say that again!

you cant describe funk. you just cant either you have the funk or you dont...

In my opinion... FUNK is more of an attitude than anything else.

I think its generally percieved as a blend of rock and jazz. A lot of music can be categorized as funk based on a strong groove... usually base driven. But it can be driven by other intruments as well... like a synth. The prominent instrumentation usually defines the unique sound of the 'funkateer'

There is no confusing the sounds of:
James Brown
Sly and the Family Stone
Parliament/Funkadelic
Earth, Wind & Fire
Cameo
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Prince/ The Time
just to name a few...

All of them have made or primarily make what is considered 'funk' music. But their songs all sounds significantly different. Yet... you still know its funky when you here them.

Funk: I don't give a damn about being "polished", this is RAW, the REAL DEAL!
Funk: It's not on the TWO or THREE, it's on the ONE and FOUR!
Funk: I am me and if you don't respect it, fuck off and let me do my thing, ya dig?
Funk: I'm a little bit rock & roll, I'm a little bit soul, I'm a little bit blues, I'm a little bit jazz, I'm a little bit gospel, I'm a little bit country, I'm a little bit ghetto.. all the ingredients...
Funk: Controversial and unapologetic
Funk: STANK grooves (bass riffs, staccato horns, lively drums, wah-wah or Jimi Hendrix guitar, melismatic vocals, weird vocal effects, thoughtful lyrics though a bit HIGH or INTOXICATED but all in fun, etc.)
Funk: Freedom
Funk: The blending of people of all colors and ages coming together no matter what you are.
Funk: Rebellious.
Funk: Sexy.
Funk: Not giving in to commercial BULLSHIT.
Funk: Making your way out of no way.

----
There may be more but that's how I'd describe it.

Timmy84 said:

stank

Flowers2 said:

BlaqueKnight said:

You know that got that shit though.



tA

Tribal Disorder

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ImAKawak said:

Bass and grooves and lyrics about booty-shakin' are only a small part of it. Lemme school ya'll on the other part of it - funk is a variation on the blues. To have the blues is one thing, but to be in a funk (or feel funky)- you're low but also feeling uneasy or wierd. Funk music is designed to reflect that mood, just like blues. P-Funk's Maggot Brain or Cosmic Slop is what funk is supposed to be about, but the "on the 1" bass and grooves and lyrics about booty-shakin' or having a good time got mass marketed because it conceivably sells better. An example of funky that combines both is actually Computer Blue or Rebirth Of the Flesh by Prince.

Ya'll skooled about it, now?

eaglebear4839 said:

If that aint the most textbook researched answer. Sweet lawd. Simple funk is a feeling. Its something that cannot be described or just obtained. So basically you havent schooled shit.

theAudience said:

It's called Chitlins.....

Graycap23 said:

With a side order of 10 day old collard greens.


tA

Tribal Disorder

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Timmy84 said:

Great. Now all I can think of are the Osmonds.

Many musical tuition books will explain what typifies funk. Also you can find it online. Try Wiki.

Music is often stated as being a 'feeling'. Sure we can get wrapped up in that side of it but, specifically, different styles can be explained in far more accurate ways.

When playing funk guitar you use a lot of the RnB/soul chords but in a far more minimalistic manner (well I do anyway). A compressor helps to get that clipped sound as do techniques such a palm-muting and so on.

Anyway back to the Osmonds.
[Edited 12/11/08 14:32pm]