Chordplay - The Chords Of Red Hot Chili Peppers

Here's the next episode of Chordplay with The Chords of Red Hot Chili Peppers.
I've had a number of requests for more funk-based music and to feature some of the Red Hot Chili Peppers - so here we go! The Chili Peppers are a very popular/influential band that formed in LA in 1983, and as their rotating series of guitarists over the years has changed and altered their sound in various ways, at the heart of their music lies a steady groove of funk and classic rock-based ideas, and that's what this lesson focuses on.
The examples pinpointed in this lesson include an assortment of classic RHCP music and for this episode, we're hitting the old-school gritty funk-rock sound from their early albums, with song examples from classics such as Freaky Styley, Mother's Milk, The Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Blood Sugar Sex Magik, and more.
There's a lot you can learn from studying funk-based music, and while I'm a huge fan of funk artists such as James Brown, Funkadelic, The Meters, Sly and the Family Stone, and more - I'm also a fan of what followed 1970s funk with the second and third waves that appeared in the 1980s and 1990s. This includes these guys and the signature sound that the RHCP tapped into and discovered early in their career.
Some interesting ideas are shared here and I made sure to avoid the "standard" RHCP songs in this lesson, so be sure to check out some of this music if you're not familiar with the earlier output of this classic and popular group, as I really dig their early albums with the raw funk-rock sound mixed with a bit of a punk edge.
Give this episode a view, leave some comments and feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!

[@aylbdrmadison1051]

True, in fact RHCP started out more punk than anything else. Another great lesson, thank you.

[@jimganzeboom9572]

Love the focus on the early rhcp era! BSSM is definitely my fav album by them

[@jovima69]

Love me some RHCP and Frusciante!

[@johnhoward2687]

Thanks Dave. Always liked the Peppers. I read Fleas book a year ago. That dude is crazy. Good read. Saw them in 93. Great show.

[@mlasch1478]

Speaking of Funk and the Freaky Stylie album. The Brother's Cup and Tertle the Turtle are as funky as funky gets.

[@austinfitch2430]

Frusciante is a master.

[@tomcox875]

Nice Dave! I wish I had your ear but am thankful to learn form you.

[@simonhunt8896]

Love the Chili Peppers! Love your tutorials! So this for me was exceptional. Many thanks

[@iradole8362]

That "proper pronunciation" was hilarious!

[@han36solo]

Great lesson Brew!

[@voronOsphere]

Amazing Stufffffff Thanks, David!!!!

[@ansonstancer6614]

This was great....love the peppers. Ever think of doing the Police? Heard a song on the radio minutes ago and just thought it may be cool.

[@kevmet84]

Forgive this off topic and even late w/respect to this btw, cool bit of your postings, but still trying learn navigation on variois spots if the net on these rascally devises. But, I was wanting to suggest an April Wine ChordPlay episode at least even if not also a 3Lick one.😎

[@johnnygault365]

I always played the B where you play Bb Not had a play along in ages

[@jamiefischer7494]

Great lesson and explanation, as always. I would like to make a couple of requests for songs/artists with interesting chords; one is Voyager from Alan Parson Project Pyramid Album. The second is .38 Special You got the deal, which has some interesting intro chords and a cool sounding verse. Thanks

[@waynegram8907]

keep making more chord lessons on pearl jam, red hot chili peppers, BUSH, stone temple pilots, spin doctors, etc. I like the chord vocabulary in these bands

[@douglaschristine8387]

They're definitely a Rock band with funk influences.

[@robertstotts2343]

Blackbird McKnight was a guitar player for a sec too . Respect on shouting out Jimmy Nolan for funk.. One of my favorites

[@GO-ej1pg]

No importa. Who cares bout them homey. Froosh put them on the map. After Hillel

[@bcancun123]

Waiting for this one

[@georgew.morrowiii118]

Definitely cool to have a RHCP lesson. The Funkadelic album cover in the background brings out the Maggot Brain vibes.

[@carlstigaxel]

do you mean the star wars poster? :D

[@georgew.morrowiii118]

@@carlstigaxel in the upper left corner is a framed album cover … if you’re not familiar - check out the song Maggot Brain by Funkadelic

[@wulfenii64]

Loved them all the way up to Mothers Milk. Was done after that.

[@GO-ej1pg]

Your missing out homey. SA is by far the most diverse magnus opas

[@GO-ej1pg]

Don’t be such a lil meko head

[@MichaelWilson-ri9pn]

I liked your lesson, like always. But feel you skipped some of the coolest parts of John's riffs. Can't Stop for instance. That would have been cool to see. Anyway, always love seeing your new videos in my feed. Love ya man

[@4572dk]

Isn't that riff single notes though? Not really relevant to chord play if its the case

[@andrejz8954]

@@4572dk Well, the guitarist in our band played it on 2 or 3 strings I think. He was having a bit trouble muting the right ones out(he even complained about it once in a positive way), so I think the OP has a point.

[@jimcreee3299]

Great stuff. How's about some Vinnie vincent riffs?

[@vinfreeman1602]

John Frusciante!!

[@4572dk]

HAHA that suck my kiss joke made me laugh

[@bcancun123]

Arik Marshall had a brief moment too after JF left the first time

[@alexrousedds]

5:45 never heard that 👍

[@rodiebobwilliams1330]

Yoice!!

[@greg77hot]

PLEASE do a three for all on John Frusciante

[@mlasch1478]

Exactly, David. Early Chili's RULZ. Give me Anything off Blood Sugar, True Men Don;t Kill Coyotes, Get Up and Jump, Stone Cold Bush, Sexy Mexican Maid off Mother's Milk, Heck YEAH,

[@sandracarroll9427]

Dig into the chords of Alter Bridge you'll never come out. Kennedy and Tremonti best twin guitars around

[@GO-ej1pg]

All due respect. Overall, decent job, however, the tone is way off. Needs the basics, 2 Marshall Amps running stereo, with one being a silver jubilee and a major. Stereo is key. And some sort of chorus and a ds2. Some preamp gain is needed. Anyways. Respect! Great job. Not easy emulating the master. Frooooo! Tone needs work for sure

[@Icedsymphony7]

I know you do this for me my user name makes you do it

[@GO-ej1pg]

Oraley el riffer! Lil meko tounger

[@gthrockstar]

Please analyze Average White Band!