Funk 101

By Orin Isaacs

I get asked a lot by bass players about my approach to the whole slap bass thing and I never know quite how to answer them without seeing themplay. They always say that they got some technique but can't seem to make it groove. Right then I say to myself "well then get the technique down and start grooving", but it comes out like "just keep practicing and it well eventually come to you".

Unfortunately folks it's not that easy. The first rule of this maze of slapping, popping, thumpin' with hammer-ons and 16th note triplets etc. is that you must FEEL IT!!! And you must make it HAVE FEEL!!! You can have all the technique in the world if you can't get it to groove it means nothing.

I learned that the hard way at the age of 17 at an after hour jam spot that musicians would go to after their gigs. The people that went there appreciated all types of music, after all that's why they were there, to hear good musicians jam all night long. I was a young slightly cocky bass player trying to impress the cats and most of the time I did. One night the keyboard player asked me to start a groove to get things going. I pulled my thumb out of my holster and started to fly, notes were everywhere, I gave them all I had. This went on for about a minute, which at the time seemed like an hour because of the blank stares I was getting from everyone, including the musicians on stage. Why weren't they jamming with me? Maybe they can't keep up. Ya, that's it, I told myself.

Just then the keyboard player got up and stopped me, he asked if a friend of his can borrow my bass and sit in? I thought, well he can't top my speed and chops, so why not. The man gently put my bass around his neck and laid down a groove that had the place rocking - I mean the place lit up, the band joined in and you could see the joy in everyone's face, except mine. As a tear rolled down my face, I then learned the importance of the groove.

I stayed away from the jam spot for 2 months 'cause I was so hurt, but in those months I worked on my grooving skills. I finally had enough courage to go back. Once again, the keyboard player invited me on stage and asked me to start a groove. And that's exactly what they got - a bass line with feel, a progression that worked, a tasty amount of thumb that made the place bounce. That was the night I married the technique that I had with the groove I was missing. Hopefully I'll give you some insight to save you similar embarrassment.