The 4 Best Funk Chords For The Rhythm Guitarist * Bread And Butter Funk Guitar Chords

[@adamlovesguitar]

Thanks for stopping by don't forget to subscribe and check out my website 👍

[@rikkitikkitavi3118]

What is the brand of your 335? Some very fine wood, I see

[@joelabbott]

Good lesson. The C9 with the D on top fits in here too. C-E-Bb-D

[@adamlevine2316]

Yes, absolutely, thanks Joel!

[@wolfmansbrother1000]

Papa’s got a brand new bag sort of now. I really need to practice. Thank you very much for the lessons.

[@jedibasschoke8909]

I play the bass, funky stuff mainly and I’ve gotten my girlfriend’s son into the guitar. I’ve given him this video to learn so we can jam. Thank you 🙏

[@muanjoca]

80% of the time these chords work every time 😉

[@rillloudmother]

it's 90% half mental...

[@adamlevine2316]

ha ha sounds like Yogi Berra!

[@adamlevine2316]

Ha I might have to use that line in my class!

[@zakharypatrew6069]

80% out of 4?😮

[@theelectricvoyage]

There is so much good content in here, you just taught me a bunch of stuff in a pretty short time so thank you Adam.

[@tim_collins]

🎉 Adam’s lessons are the best. 🎉

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks Tim!

[@edwardebel1847]

Great video! Learned a few "new" things. Incidently , when you raise the 3rd to the 4th, it is properly (as you pointed out), called the "sus[pended] 4th". What a lot of people don't know is that when you raise it up to the 5th it is not called "suspended" but rather "hoisted". Only seasoned musicians are familiar with the "hoisted 5th"...comes with all those late nights!

[@tomlbass]

Thanks. Trying to get is all in order. Is suspended decending and hoisting ascending?

[@MarkRhodes-bm3fl]

Great lesson, Adam. I've been working on these voicings lately (playing them in all 12 keys daily to really get them down) and today I used them in a new song I wrote. It's not a funky song, a somewhat folky blues, but the chords added a lot to an ascending vocal line.

[@GregMyser]

Great teaching!!🤌🏻

[@carltone]

Love your groove and Funk as you demonstrate the voices. Well done Thanks for sharing

[@charlesarmstrong5292]

Absolutely Beaut! Adam. I was already playing some of these just for the sound without realising the theory. Now that I`ve seen the theory I`m into a whole new world. Thanks!!

[@dennyps1]

1st time viewer & long time player. Best and cleanest description of beginning funk chords I've ever seen. Excellent video. Sub'd

[@AlexOlivari67]

Great real life / hands on lesson, Adam ! We met in 1993 in front of the Grove school, which just had been shut down. I just arrived from Germany to enroll and was pretty clueless.. You were very helpful and kind, giving me some private lessons.... Thanks Alex

[@adamlevine2316]

Oh yeah Alex, wow I had to joggle the brain cells but I kinda remember that. You must have been freaked out about it all. Great to hear from you let's stay in touch!

[@tonyjones1560]

At 5:42, first time I’ve ever heard the tritone described as “very funky.” Somewhere Ol’ Scratch is chuckling… Subscribed. This video is a Masterclass on funk guitar. Thank you!

[@edgarsnake2857]

That's a great place to start. Thanks for boiling it down, Adam.

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks Edgar, yes and more to come!

[@worldofstrings]

Thanks a lot Adam! Wish I'd met you 30 years ago. Funky!😮

[@victorformosa228]

Great lesson and easy to follow, many thanks.

[@birage9885]

Nice. Simple and useful.

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks!!!

[@ferrocile]

Great lesson. Excellent way to practice variations on a chord. I guess the next logical step is to pick two or better 3 chords and go through a progression over a loop making sure to practice variations on those chords. Very cool!

[@DougSmith-y4o]

Awesome lesson! Rhythm, so important, so overlooked! Thanks for this great lesson Adam,! By the way, I am really enjoying your website and your courses, so glad that I decided to invest in them! Outstanding value!

[@adamlevine2316]

That makes me happy! Thanks!!!

[@DougSmith-y4o]

@@adamlevine2316 Thank you Adam!

[@GodsStoryteller]

Wow! Id love to get to heights. I subscribed.

[@antoniopelldiaz2932]

Gracias por el video muy interesante y útil

[@SteveMallett]

What fun I just had trying those out! Thanks.

[@adamlevine2316]

Hi Steve! Yeah they are fun and fun to connect to other keys too.!

[@CVGuitar]

Dude i'm always lookin for cool guitar vids and this is great -- not the typical scale/shred/fast picking junk 🤘

[@adamlevine2316]

Hey thanks CV, and lol! Yeah, the groove comes first!

[@tomlbass]

Yeah that's what I liked about it. He built on the chord structure. Repeated it enough times to the point that I could repeat what he played. And kept my interest. A lot of good teachers slow down to teach vs perform to show their skill. And when on stage it is 150% effort.

[@zzzyxwv]

Perfect. Exactly what I need. Thank you very much✌️👌🎸

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

EXACTLY WHAT NEEDED 👍 Great explanation.

[@moose6676]

You have just opened another chapter for me, thanks so much 🙏🏻 subscribed 🙏🏻 lovely guitar by the way 👍🏻

[@BCBlue]

Very fun riffin. Thanks for the great lesson.

[@jstnxprsn]

Thanks for that. Your initial chord (where you labeled the C on the high E as the root) looks like a Gm to me with an added 4th (the C note)

[@sunjamrblues]

And if you take the commonly used B7 shape (as when playing E blues) and move it up 2 frets, you have yet another version.

[@richardhunt809]

I’ve been waiting for a video like this for ages. Thanks!

[@JasJul10]

What's the strum pattern you are using? thanks for a great video!

[@musicorafael]

Very helpful mate! Thanks!!!!

[@bobarmes]

Great lesson 🤘🏽. Thank you for sharing 🇺🇸🤘🏽🇺🇸

[@azzuro195]

Very cool tnx Adam.. Almost hearing Nile Rodgers playing Lets Dance...

[@Rick-mv9sc]

nice! great explanations! ......but where is the C9??? imho, the primal funk chord. ask Jimmy Nolen.

[@robertbriquet]

Thanks

[@ProbableCauseBluesBand]

Awesome lesson! I learned a lot!

[@adamlovesguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Chimp_No_1]

Really interesting and helpful Adam ! Thank you for sharing ! New subscriber.

[@neilmc59MK]

Good tutorial. Thanks. Check out Average White Band’s Cut the Cake for several voicings of D7 and D9 all over the neck.

[@alejorojas9563]

Excellent lesson 🎉

[@fredericfournier5662]

Oooooh yes, so good, save us from being stuck on a single position ! THANK YOU SO MUCH for your explanation ! I suscribe.

[@jazzybeeff]

Thank you

[@Earthstein]

My gaud! How did Adam know I needed this lesson! Seriously, this is big for my.

[@joebloggs339]

Been looking for this kind of video - thx Adam!

[@adamlovesguitar]

You are welcome!

[@malcognito7210]

I got a lot out of this. Thanks!

[@adampoe2797]

Hey Adam here as well Just subscribed Great stuff, much needed to the journey

[@marcelougarriza]

Genial!!!! Gracias Adam!!!🤟

[@TheAmphibic]

Excellent!

[@JKCCKF]

Hey Adam - Long time no see! I hope all is well. I was just watching some theory videos - then your video came up recommended and I instantly subscribed. I miss those Faultline days a lot

[@Speedwalker501]

Thanks for the funky chord progressions @adamlovesguitar ima guessing a baseball fan or two may have called you the “Funky Joe Maddon doppelgänger” from time to time. From a loooong time EWF, PFunk,T. O. P. , & Confunkshun fan!

[@weidneremmerick6056]

Bread & butter is so tasty!!! Nice lesson Bro...Very useful ...thank a lot... Specially compliments cause you go straight to the point...this make things flow ...👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 (Sorry 4 my awful english ...im brazilian and know just a little...but I think U can understand me) bye

[@MarkBuondonno]

Grazie, connected some dots for sure 🤙🏼

[@stephenraybrown]

great stuff. thanks a lot! very informative.

[@arthurnawrath6701]

Great lesson!

[@mikeprokop8947]

Great lesson well done!!!!!

[@lightfoot413]

yeah we can walk those voiceings up and down...a fun lesson///thanks.........

[@Firetuna1]

Good to know!

[@Kloud_Funk]

So good thank you

[@JAMZ1960]

Well done & Thanks

[@uppermids]

Thank you very much.

[@316word]

Wow love these voicing

[@riklionheart23]

Thank you, this is gold!

[@justincase2281]

I feel so funky now I gotta take a shower.😄 Good stuff.👍

[@dolceamaro2]

Grande Briatore, hai iniziato la carriera al Bilionaire suonando funky

[@garywatson4920]

Nice lesson 👍

[@crimfan]

Nice lesson

[@adamlovesguitar]

Thanks! 😃

[@michaelmerrullo2043]

Cool! Makes me think Bowie/Let's Dance where some of these voicing use. I'm all the wiser. Thanks

[@adamlevine2316]

Yeah you're right Michael, like "Let's Dance" uses some of these shapes.

[@roberthoury4034]

Thank you

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

EXCELLENT VIDEO

[@markmcmyn8967]

The funk is real!

[@grzankomuzykant]

Thank You so much

[@elizabethanderson2968]

Brilliant!

[@Avenger849]

Thanks Man.

[@Mister-Pink]

Hi Adam. Question, which maybe real stupid but your C7 b7 on top doesn't actually have a root note C in it. I've played it alongside the other chords and it works so I'm pleasantly surprised but also confused. Could you explain please? BTW thanks for the video.

[@adamlovesguitar]

Hi Mr Pink, excellent observation. There are two concepts involved when you have rootless chords. I’ll be sure to explain the next time I make a video that has chords without roots. The first concept is that when you are a guitarist in a band you can rely on the bass player to put the root in the picture. In otherwords, you are an extension of the bass and the listener hears the big picture, C9. The second concept is that we as guitar players and pianists leave out the root all the time (especially in jazz) and quite often other notes like the 3rd or 5th can be left out. It creates a somewhat hollow or spacial chord yet it still functions because you’re not adding something to the chord you’re leaving it out. But in the example we are talking about the chord being represented is actually C9. And I don’t know you’re theory level but here’s what’s happenning. 1. C9 is C E G Bb D or (R 3 5 b7 9). If you take the R away what’s left is Emi7b5, E G Bb D. So, you can play Emi7b5 anytime you are asked to play C9. Of course it helps to have a bass player play the low root C to complete the sonic picture. Hope that all makes sense. Thanks so much for your comment and question I will be sure to bring it up the next time we do a video with this concept!

[@tomlbass]

Don't forget that the bass is hitting the one with other guitar and keys. But I see what you mean. It opens up a lot of interesting thought provoking musical questions. Thanks Adam.

[@rainfieldmusic]

Greetings Adam 👋 Good stuff 👋 I could use this somewhere cool 😎

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks!!! Sounds like you are a songwriter/composer as well and yes they help spice up a song for sure!

[@waterlec8718]

Without even watching this I'm gonna say one of them would be E9 ✅✅✅✅

[@peterslupek6561]

Very useful thank you!

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks Peter!!!

[@donmilland7606]

That Collings sounds nice!

[@adamlevine2316]

It's my favorite go to guitar! Thanks Don!

[@PedroSilvaMusic]

Great lesson 🤟🤠🤟

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks Pedro!

[@jeanbass9702]

supergreat!Thks!!!

[@woodyblakemore8401]

Good stuff.

[@stevemehanmusic]

I’m digging it

[@charlesjaphe]

Super

[@FriesinNF]

I love the modern high tec guitars. But if you play Funk, you need a stratocaster. Nile Rogers sounds perfect every time.

[@tomlbass]

What about Bruno Speight. He really holds down the rhythm. I've played with a lot of funk guitarists on various guitars. They all have their personal preference and amps to get the sound they want effectively. The strat also very versatile one of my favorites. A 335 is light and can do almost anything for any genre. Sitting around teaching some chords, I'd pick the lightest guitar. A man with Adams experience probably also owns a strat. I own several guitars. I liked niles on his npr mini concert.

[@tomlbass]

How could Niles not sound good playing his famous music over and over and over to the point of perfection.

[@adamlevine2316]

I use both, if it's a Steely Dan kinda thing I might go w the Collins but for James Brown/Prince I'll go Strat. I used the Strat at the beginning of the vid.

[@jbognap]

Well, yes and no. I agree, the neck pickup on a Strat is killer. I think the 2nd and 4th pickup positions have their place but are overused. A lot of times, it can be refreshing to use something other than a Strat. Listen to Sly, EWF, TOP, Prince, etc. Lots of Teles, 335s and even LPs.

[@yakovest]

Rob Harris the best funk guy playing strat

[@spiritg802]

...that sounds so great but only explains the "what" and not the "how" what does your right hand do

[@chusssMusic]

Thanks. That was very helpful. If you like you can check some groovy funk backing tracks on my channel. I am going to use these new shapes to play along.

[@mjazzguitar]

Believe it or not the way I saw how to play funk was Led Zeppelin's 'The Crunge". I saw the chords in a book.

[@bradleyzubrod472]

"Take it to the bridge!" James Brown

[@wesleymarkmusic403]

Nice!!

[@allengoyne]

Bread and Butter, now just gotta add the Jam!

[@psytranscience]

"Oww, we need the funk, we gotta have that funk."~ Jerome Brailey George Clinton Bootsy Collins

[@bigl6322]

So, basically you just harmonized your primary chord up the neck, that about what I’m understanding?

[@tomlbass]

Are you saying it affectively gets the job done without having to use a bar chord. All those muting fingers sometimes looks like a complex chord lol. So a triad with a forth note for flavor and not to get bored lol. I can't get enough. Of That Funky Stuff. I played by ear all those years and now trying to get caught up attaching theory to what I know. Thanks. I'm a bass player learning guitar. lol

[@AlchemyMusicConcept]

Good info, thanks for posting.

[@sleepyhorses6100]

The music in the background while you’re talking is sort of distracting. Is that intentionally added or bleeding in from another room nearby? Also, I’m sure you’re still figuring out the editing stuff but there are a few parts that feel over edited. The introduction, for example…all the mouse clicking sounds and transitions. It’s a bit “extra”, as the youngens would say. There’s also a few parts where you show tabs for some of the chords but forget on the others. Check out 6:20 as an example of what I’m talking about. Not trying to be negative. Just offering what is hopefully constructive criticism. It seems like you’re putting some effort into this; if I were in your position, I would want to hear this stuff. So here I am! Keep it up! Thanks for the content!

[@adamlovesguitar]

Hi Sleepy Horses, I really appreciate the great feedback and yes there is a piano studio down the hall but we have now worked out a filming schedule and the piano will not be used during production. Thanks! Adam

[@MarkRhodesSongs]

O, that's good! Thank you for this. It's a big help and gives me something to work on. ;o)

[@brocklightning]

Cool

[@georgefinn2054]

I’ll never be able to move my head up and down like that.

[@michaelnc4450]

😎👍

[@chrisbarlow3594]

Neck adjustment required immediately there buddy. So much buzzing and choking out going on. That axe is capable of sounding a whole lot better, believe me. Otherwise, really cool tips for that funk tone - thanks man! Get that truss rod adjusted along with the string height and she will SING. Cheers!

[@adamlevine2316]

Thanks Chris, I'll have a conversation with my guitar tech about it. Glad you liked the vid!!!

[@Ray_Wood_1984]

🙇‍♂️💓🍀🎶 👋😃