Why are SO MANY Funk songs in E minor? - AN INVESTIGATION

[@diggingthegreats]

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[@thornyback]

Everyone calls him Superfreak... along with his tagline "Cocaine's a hell of a drug"

[@DuragsTuRiches]

Your videos are maad dope keep up the great work

[@EricBishard]

I mean I get, this information he puts out is just too high quality, to get 1 mil subs you need to make cheesy content. Let's just be happy knowing we know a secret

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

Emin -A7 = E Dorian

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

And every one Steals from Everyone we are musicians that's what we do 🤣Paganini Stole from Bach

[@anthonyspare]

With the bass being the backbone for most of the songs, I believe it is due to the open E string being easiest to slap.

[@RightStickRob]

100%

[@joetheegohunter]

yea its lowest.. also to levarage hammer ons and pull offs

[@KyleKalevra]

And the same bassist playing on almost every Motown song from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

It's also super comfortable to play in E minor on keyboards which are pretty much as ubiquitous as bass guitar in funk

[@alfberger3150]

And the deepest note on a 4 string with standard tuning, in a lot of metal and electronic music there's a lot of focus on making songs in the keys with the deepest bass

[@hongkongcantonese501]

You are the music teacher we all wanted in high school.

[@thebasedgodmax1163]

dude the fact you don't have a million subs yet is insane. your videos are so professional, fun and informative yet it never feels pretentious or snobby, just pure music facts. and the mashups!

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@danielasbjrnsson7500]

I second this!

[@jakw]

Third!

[@goldendragon7853]

@@diggingthegreats yea man my favorite channel for learning about the different colors of music. Really beautiful stuff man!!

[@MrKez666]

fourthed. it's definitely picking up steam!

[@ICanWriteLeftHanded]

That workin day and night/mary jane mix is butter

[@ICanWriteLeftHanded]

the BIll Withers one is heat too!

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@stereo-soulsoundsystem5070]

Its work.Workin.WORKIN fam good work

[@Miguelrockwell]

Yeah I’m doing the Bill Withers one with Serato Stems for sure tonight at my DJ gig. That ish was funky.

[@danieledgell7465]

I’ve been on KZbin for like, twenty years. This is theFIRST channel that’s held my interest, challenged my music history education (in a good way - nobody EVER told me about Beethoven and the classical bass evolution), AND got me all geeked about the sponsor! Incredible.

[@ScorpioIsland]

How tf you putting out so much well produced genius content? I swear you're some kind of plant with a huge team behind you or something 😅

[@diggingthegreats]

I wish! It would make my life a whole lot easier haha

[@nobodynothing6551]

Nah he's just a bamf

[@kristenmlondon]

I swear I thought this was something one of the majors was putting out. It's TOO GOOD.

[@t.c.o.g.773]

DR. SIRI😆

[@keisi1574]

@@diggingthegreats Which one of your team wrote that response?!? Ha

[@Hemo-Dyn]

I love you using your bass playing as a framing device within these comparisons. It really does a great job of driving your ideas home about the chord progressions being used, all the while adding more of yourself into the content, thus giving yourself a stronger identity as you dissect the songs in an efficient manner.

[@ace15Nura]

The only song that inspired Billie Jean was I Can't Go for That by Hall & Oates according to Michael himself. He listen the song endlessly and found a way to make a new groove out of it. He even told that to Daryl Hall during the we are the world recording.

[@rofea]

That’s what I thought

[@marlonkemp5627]

Carreberian Queen Billy Ocean Not To Be Confused With Billie Jean Michael Jackson!

[@elnorey]

Michael never said it himself. Daryl could’ve made it up

[@hipowa909]

It was actually a song by donna summer called state of the union or something like that.

[@stuatagovailoa7536]

@@elnorey have you listened to ‘I can’t go for that’ ? Because it has a very similar sound to Billie Jean

[@briangmurray6367]

You make making music sound so simple, yet its so HARD. Thank you for allowing us mortals to understand the complexity of music.

[@OdaKa]

@@darrellmfume4020 it's both..

[@OdaKa]

Just make bad music. That's pretty easy. heh.

[@godjhaka7376]

It's all how your brain perceives. Music or anything is hard for some, very easy to understand for others.

[@godjhaka7376]

​@@OdaKacash me outside girl got more views and subscribers and can't speak proper english

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

It's not that it's that hard, but maybe you are expecting too much from yourself too soon

[@tanishadee3883]

That Mary Jane/Use Me mash up was 🔥 AF!!!

[@fayettenampeach]

Yea that was smooth!!

[@steve.santiago]

Great video as always! I’m a fan of MJ’s work and I’m a fan of Quincy’s work, especially his work with MJ. Q is an undeniable legend of course. But the last several years Q’s been throwing a lot of dirt on MJ’s name and legacy. This would be foul even if MJ were alive to defend himself and it’s even more foul sense he’s not.

[@charlie-obrien]

But it made us pay attention to Q again, Right? I think the mystery is solved.

[@Mike-ow4ot]

Quincy lacks class. Huge musical talent, but a trash human being.

[@oliviamurphy9482]

100%. I don't understand what would make Quincy say those things about Michael if he didn't believe them to be true so I have to accept that he does think it's true-- however several of the things he said were demonstrably false so it's like... maybe he's just losing his memory 😭

[@АлександрМалахов-ш1л]

You are becoming one of my favourite music KZbinrs. I’m currently getting into hip-hop and funk/soul, as well as dabbling with production and sampling, and your channel really accelerates my acquisition of love for & knowledge of these things. Your videos are so informative and easy to follow, yet filled with so much fun and love for music. Thank you for another great video, you deserve far more views and subscribers!

[@TerryBorderline]

My brother, this was a MASTER CLASS on eminor. Wow! As a producer who interpolates a lot of sample material, I constantly have come across eminor and supposed that I personally had an attraction to it, but you just put the nail on the head with this one! It has a historical and practical reason to be in some of the best songs ever made! I'm excited to compose my first song intentionally in eminor to A7 just for this reason and see how it sounds! Never stop doing what you're doing! I don't think theres anyone else who lays down as good as you!

[@johnanderson9337]

Your explanation of the double bass was spot on, so many people get the roots of the instrument wrong but you got it!

[@toothpastehombre]

I have to say, the homework done here is top notch. It is one of those things I've always kind of suspected and felt like I knew, but I've never been able to put it all together and connect all the thoughts. Nicely done

[@charlescdt6509]

“Good artists copy, Great artists steal” Picasso. Everyone gets inspired by something the great ones take that and make it so good you think they were the one who did it first. Good stuff as always. As a bass noob keep dropping that knowledge.

[@wwddwi2183]

Yeah that’s a hack, not artists or creatives. The great ones make the song theirs through the creative effort. Skill, talent, emotive response to the challenge of making it theirs. The greats don’t copy or steal. Because they always cite their influential heroes. For without those influences what would we the artists be? My apologies, I keep seeing that statement.✌🏿🔆👍🏿 Bass noob as well😂

[@OdaKa]

@@wwddwi2183 what are you talking about? I get what you're saying, but it doesn't make the original quote invalid. All that stuff is implied within the original quote by those who understand it.

[@Kreln1221]

*It should be noted that many popular songs were composed on the guitar, and like the four strings on the bass, the bottom four strings on the guitar are tuned E, A, D, & G. So whether a song was written on guitar or bass, the same keys that are easy and convenient on one would also apply to the other. And as the bass and especially the guitar are both very popular instruments, many popular songs are written in keys that are easy and convenient on both.*

[@reswofford]

The same idea allbeit somewhat less applies to Jazz music which favors keys simple for horn players Bb, F, Eb, Ab while bass and guitar are simpler to play in E, A, D, G.

[@hannuback]

I write a lot of stuff in E minor just because there are a lot of good open harmonies etc. It's just what guitar is as an instrument. Suits my vocal range well too!

[@mcgritty8842]

Same with electronic music. It all kinda works around the range of the bass/sub

[@mississippijohnfahey7175]

It's also super comfy and fun to play Em on keyboard. People think funk is all bass guitar but synths and keyboards were just as common, often playing the bassline

[@Kreln1221]

@@mississippijohnfahey7175 A Minor is even easier on keys, as it's the relative minor of C Major, so it's all the white keys, with no sharps or flats...

[@ricardorico4951]

Brilliant video after brilliant video. Brother the content you are consistently putting out is just pure gold.

[@elnorey]

Rod Temperton composed Thriller and it‘s inspired by “Heartbreak Hotel“ a song Michael previously wrote and recorded. It’s on the Jackson‘s Triumph album, That’s mostly where everything came from (from the theme to the music)

[@Prospect_]

The baseline of Thriller is heartbreak hotels baseline sped up

[@JULIANSBEATS]

The Thriller baseline is mostly the baseline from Rick James Give it 2 Me.

[@weefy117]

I can see that, but dude you can't tell me that they didn't hear Give it to Me Baby's bass line and weren't atleast inspired by it lmao. I'm a massive MJ fan, but come on now

[@geraldthomas8241]

When did Boogie Nights by Heatwave come out? I hear many similar bass lines to that one, including songs from Rick James.

[@priceth]

This is gold. We need those full mash-up’s in mp3!

[@vaughnmiller4371]

Dude, these mashups you are doing are"cold blooded". 👍 Keep the FUNK alive.

[@streetsweeperzmusicinc9139]

You are an excellent storyteller You will expand into world wide documentaries/films based on anything you choose to teach Congratulations

[@maco34576]

all of this content is so so valuable you have no idea, im goin to class everytime I watch one of your videos lets gooooooooo keep it up youre a very good communicator congrats

[@djbattledmv]

This man just took me to school and it was fun. I don't know anything about keys or chords or writing/reading music...but this guy had me for every second of this video. I'll be surfing his channel fa sho!

[@carlking7557]

Bro thanks for that musical history. Very good. Very important. Love it.

[@BlakeSuperior_Beats]

Your music history expertise never fails to vow me away

[@Optimistichumanist]

This video deserves an award. Assuming it can all peer reviewed, your presentation is both entertaining, creative and educational. Very well executed or at least I enjoyed it!

[@flippingheck6697]

I really love how you always tie the end of one of your videos to the beginning of another one. It's kinda like a "cinematic universe-esque touch" but with videos? I don't know how to describe it, but it's cool! You're so cool, man 😉

[@robscooters12]

You deserve wayyyyy more subs than this, the quality is unmatched. Routing for you bro!

[@TimScottSuiGeneris]

I’ve heard the story that Billie Jean is basically Say No Go by Hall & Oates for the last ten years. Michael was one for inspiration to say the most. Big edit: correction- I Can’t Go For That, it’s obvious that De La Soul is on my mind 😅

[@LogicalNiko]

Daryl Hall indicated several times that Michael approached him during the We Are The World Sessions and indicated the main intro and groove inspiration from “I can’t go for that” and he just swapped the order a bit. Daryl of course thought that was a great honor but didn’t see it. Although it’s not that uncommon for artists l, or Michael specifically. A lot of Michael’s works show he was paying attention to multiple genes of music both in and outside pop music. He did the same thing with choreography and stage production. It’s really the composition of various inspirations that was unique.

[@totttrax]

Your breakdowns are awesome , love the details

[@MetaphysicalMusician]

When I was growing up ,learning to play ,jamming with other people in the 70s we had a joke .Someone would yell "JAM IN E"..if we wanted the fake songs to prolong a set we would yell jam in E!!!.SO YES your correct and it's an easy key for guitar and Bass the root of blues funk and rock. Love this post ..NICE WORK

[@Yomommahouse6801]

Your bass playing is excellent. You got the groove my brotha!

[@louischristle5379]

Hey man I'm an Irish bassist who just recently discovered your channel and I absolutely love it! All the artists/genres you do videos on are ones I've really gotten into over the last few months so finding out about your channel has made listening to this type of music all the more enjoyable. Keep doing what you're doing my guy :D

[@Youngzackuno]

I’m blown away by the video. I thought I broke things down you dissect.

[@jojorock6908]

PLEASE release the working day and night and Mary Jane Mashup in full with you on bass. That sounded killer🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@keithroberts4952]

The bass line on the song "thriller" is inspired by Rick james' "give it to me baby".

[@Silly81]

True, I hear that also, and (plot twist) Rick accused Quincy Jones of stealing the bass line for Thriller.

[@keithroberts4952]

@@Silly81 let's just say Rick was not in a good mood during those days. He ranted about Prince to anyone who would listen, complained about not being played on MTV (he had a point actually) complained some more about Prince and so on and so forth.

[@juicesoundsystem]

This channel covers the absolute creme-de-la-creme of music. Me and some friends used to run a funk and hip-hop night back in the late00s/early 10s that focused on that magical sweet spot between funk and hip-hop and watching these vids just takes me back to those days when we'd be digging through records or one of us would find a sample that popped up in a song (WhoSampled wasn't as much of a thing then although it is very useful too). Keep making these vids, you're style/delivery is really warm and engaging and your taste in music is dynamite.

[@sonialadystardust]

I could listen to you for hours straight! 🤓 Very Nice job!!

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@Koilia42]

I like your video so much! I like that there are always fun facts, a story with a good structure, and a summary. All of that makes a video both entertaining and educational.

[@Afrowarrior55]

That ad you sponsored is literally something i have been waiting for for at least 10 years now omggg !!!!

[@inlivingcolor...abroad6099]

Just discovered your channel-as a music teacher, I appreciate how you can break down music concepts for literally ANYONE-you have quite a gift, besides the fact that you’re a dope bassist!

[@ShawnTewes]

The first 30 seconds of "One Nation Under A Groove" is another of many examples of that Em- A7 progression, and it was also released in 1978. Given Michael's proximity to Rick James though, the Mary Jane theory is likely more plausable.

[@dethbolt000]

The reason why most funk is written in E minor is because the BASS guitar's lowest note at the time was E. At times, like I do, a player might tune down to E flat or D for a deeper tone.

[@bustabass9025]

Or grab a five string tuned to low B, which for me is the better move. Not only do you get those five notes below low E but it also gives you greater range across the fretboard. This helps minimize a lot of shifting positions to play octaves and double octaves.

[@dethbolt000]

@@bustabass9025 I'm a guitarist and a bassist. I am an aggressive rocker and funker. My hands are large and I play a five for less intricate baselines, but prefer a 4 detuned because the space between strings makes more feasible for pop -slapping.

[@beselbic]

No Doubt's "Hella Good" also kicks off with that beat.

[@loftusal]

The quality of the info, explanation and illustration in your videos gives me funk face. Your videos are STANKY good!

[@TheMuveTube]

Your content is phenomenal 👏🏽

[@KarlBonner1982]

More specifically...funk songs are in the key of E *dorian* minor. That Em-A7 repeating chord is a classic i-IV dorian vamp.

[@Esaisaenz]

Man I just discovered your channel and I’ve been binge watching all of your videos. Extremely thought out and digestible scripts about music history. You’re my new favorite channel.

[@mistersippiburning]

That Use Me/Mary Jane mash up was thicker than cold grits!

[@diggingthegreats]

😂😂

[@paulmuke3696]

Elucidating. Keep up the good job I love it.

[@steelkeez7700]

Thanks for your all of your hard work 🤘🏾

[@oceanmicah9760]

My guess for the short answer is simply the open notes giving you easy access to paying with octaves (especially low E) especially with slap bass. Feels very natural. Interesting video though, as always

[@kairopocket]

That Mary Jane / Use Me mash up is absolutely 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯😭😭

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@Newbreed6256]

Love the channel, love this episode, love the history involved 👏🏾

[@iamraytmusic]

Came for video stayed for your bass playing. Groovy AF 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@setaylw]

This is possibly my favorite KZbin video of all time! Being a bass player whose favorite genre is funk, you really gave a great history listen here. Keep up the good and informative work!!!!

[@customjohnny]

This was amazing!! So great to hear lots of my favorite jams be mashed up in that creative way. Wow. What an interesting video, thank you!!!

[@clint3530]

Thank you! Love your videos and bass playing! 🔥🔥🔥

[@richardpayton9671]

Wow! I never knew that was the history of how the bass came into being. Always learning something new here. And yeah, that Em-A7 progression is all over the place. A lot of Philly Soul songs used it as well ("You Got What I Need" - Teddy Pendergrass, "Love is the Message" and "TSOP" - MFSB, and more).

[@preciousmousse]

Thank you so much for spreading all this knowledge on funk and soul and all the groove! Such wonderful music the world needs more of, we're savoring every second 👀

[@undergroundmoe]

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag is possibly the coolest thing that ever happened

[@ray_maestro_]

Love the content. These videos are great.

[@Trife_G]

The only songs I’ve heard that have almost the same bassline is Jefferson Airplane “White Rabbit”, Jackson 5 “Can You Feel It” and Madonna “Material Girl”

[@Mark-db1ok]

This was a fantastic history lesson, even as a bassist I didn't know all this stuff. Thanks for the great video!

[@williampamblanco]

Nifty bass playing, great concepts and you're clearly both having fun and a fan of the stuff you're covering. Dig it a lot, great work!

[@richieluukmane5256]

Rick James had said in the liner notes for the CD compilation, "Rick James Bustin' Out", that Quincy Jones approached him and told Rick that he used part of Give It To Me Baby for the title cut of Mike's Thriller album. Which actually makes sense.

[@kalvincatlin7777]

Holy shit! That was art! New sub 🤘

[@MovieMonkez]

Rick James in the thumb nail?? Instant click we need more music breaking down the king of punk funk!

[@electrosonicnebula]

Ah man this is what YT should be about. I'm watching instead of working as usual but I'm learning fast so enriching myself anyway

[@ericksalazar3644]

this is incredible as per usual but i’m surprised that you didn’t mention the similarities between the bass lines in thriller and give it to me baby

[@realjoshb]

That Mary Jane Use Me mashup is phenomenal

[@terrencespikes3110]

Brilliant video 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Much, much respect.

[@anthonyrobinson6590]

I remember hearing Prince talk about E funk. It might have been in a song too but I can't recall which one.

[@fnerXVI]

Fun fact about the string bass: In some orchestrations, the instrument is written to reach a C1 note, requiring an addition to the fingerboard called a C Extension, which does exactly what it sounds like. It extends the range of the instrument from a low E to an even lower C. Each note position from the nut of the C extension (C# to E♭) have their own gates, which if you've played a guitar, act similarly to a capo but for one string instead of the entire fretboard.

[@motorola59]

Very, very well done! Great job. I love your content.

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@newguy6935]

Wow! I'm a subscriber. Great stuff, Digging.

[@elgallorojo]

That mary jane/ use me was so dope I want to slap the ish out of you! you are a legend sir

[@TheBiggz808]

Keep up the great work. Another dope vid.

[@DomstarRecordz]

Great Videos! Amazing channel.

[@alexandrel.bourassa7929]

Such a great video! Thanks for the great content!

[@sethmasten5818]

Holy shit, that Mary Jane/Use Me mashup is fucking incredible

[@PMB827]

That Bill Withers x Rick James mashup was nastyyyyy 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@Joshua-qy3wi]

Dude keep up the great vids! 🔥and thanks for the spotify listening guide

[@DameOTrack]

These mashups are genius🔥🔥🔥

[@rofea]

“I can’t go for that” - Hall and Oats = Billie Jean’s inspiration as stated by MJ.

[@wilenedozier6961]

I was a music major back in the day and still am a musician at heart. I have all the albums you cite. Yes, albums. I enjoyed the music history lesson. Well done! I subscribed and will spread the word about your channel.

[@JohnathandosSantos]

Such a great personality! Love your vids

[@MR2JONESY]

WOOOOO! keep it up bro... An upload or 2 a day would be great 🤣😅 loving the content

[@diggingthegreats]

Haha! If only I could!

[@gravitytwins1921]

A lot of it is cuz EM is like the best key to play on guitar all open notes are fair game so you can be loose and funky

[@stereo-soulsoundsystem5070]

Put that Bill Withers down before you burn down my house! Don't you casually make such a fire mix without warning again buddy!

[@jasonlegister2277]

Each new video from you is outstanding/ on 🔥🔥🔥, longing for your next one, all the time.

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏 thank you

[@intylekt]

geez man these remixes are NASTY!!!!!!! Seriously, DOPE!!!

[@ravelargollo]

Dude how are u so good? My ADHD just disappears, I mean your fingies hurt less playing in E ! Thanks man the world appreciates this

[@phyphor]

As a bassist that has played both double and electric bass in an orchestra I'm glad you covered all this. Keep up the great work!

[@itseveary5756]

I love you, never stop uploading

[@kindell1]

Dope channel. Music history is important. Keep putting out content!

[@SClass-jl4mu]

The truth is Michael came up to Rick in a club about street songs. Mike like how Lanise kept a hard heartbeat like groove without all the fills

[@gemini273]

Should I be watching these in timeline order or chronological order? Either way, love the channel.