Customer Reviews

The Funkmasters-the Great James Brown Rhythm Sections

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a very complete guide to the workings of one of the great R&B rhythm sections. The book is composed of 23 lessons examining the rhythm grooves for a selection of James Brown hits. Two CDs accompany the book. The lessons are arranged in chronological order by the date the songs were cut. Each lesson has printed material including an ensemble chart and individual charts for drums, bass, and guitar. Both staff and tab are given for guitar and bass. Historical and musical comments accompany each lesson. The CDs include four tracks per lesson: an ensemble track and the three individual instruments played at a slower speed. The mix is very clear and it is easy to distinguish the individual instruments in the ensemble track. While clearly intended as teaching tools, the tracks do have a feel that keeps the music compelling.

In terms of the level of difficulty, someone who didn't know this music might glance at the charts and conclude that the bass parts were (mostly) elementary, the guitar parts only slightly more difficult, while the drum parts combine fairly standard hand technique with advanced kick drum playing. Of course, this is misleading. It takes great timing to combine these parts in a way that has soul, and that's the great value of these lessons. A bass player (guitarist, drummer) trying to play this music has to really understand how he or she fits in with the other members of the ensemble. This is a very successful attempt to spell that out for the player.

One quibble: the organization of the historical material helps support the lessons, but makes it difficult to read as a straight narrative. One request: how about volume two with keyboard and horn charts?

James Brown and the many fine musicians who worked with him literally "wrote the book" on modern groove playing. They were the original architects of funk and, as the most sampled ensemble in history, they're also the de facto creators of hip hop's beats and the many related dance-oriented styles such as Drum and Bass, House, Trance, etc.

In fact, the influence of this ensemble is so great that it is often taken completely for granted. These aren't just the rhythms that grooving musicians play, these are the beats that our drum machines play!

Rhythm section players, particularly drummers and bassists, who haven't studied JB's music in depth, are in danger of committing malpractice. Get this book/CD package and study it or listen closely to recordings and transcribe the parts yourself. Either way, the importance of this body of work cannot be overstated and, as a contemporary rhythm section player, it will serve as the backbone of your rhythmic education.

Great learnig tool. The only criticism is there is no organ, piano, or conga. I'm a professional drummer and keep comming back back to this for information and to keep my funk chops up.

I am a drummer and found this book most helpful in tackling the grooves of Clyde, Jabo, and Melvin. Includes basic grooves and actual recorded grooves so you can work up to the stamina of the recorded ones. Lot's of fun for drummers of all levels. Highly recommended

Really a great book. Has a bit of interesting history about James Brown.

Really breaks down the interplay between drums, guitars, and bass on JB's band. Also provides some insight into the different bassists during JB's career. Finally, really provides a good description of the rhythmic interaction between the drummer and bassist.

If you want the FUNK - start here.

I really like the format of this book & cd. It covers bass, guitar and drums, with each track played separately on the CD and then all combined. Guitar & Bass are shown in both tab & standard notation. Very clear, and the individual parts aren't that hard to play. The magic is in the combination and rhythmic interaction. Learning to play these songs will be therapy for small groups locked in the same old bag.

Of course, there's only ONE JB, but I hope they make more "Rhythm Section" books like this one for other bands as well.

It's that simple.

I do play quite a bit of funk, but I play other genres as well. They all benefit from the knowledge and technique I've gained from these exercises. Play along to "Sex Machine" and "Talking Loud And Say Nothing" and you'll develop monstrous stamina.

Also, thanks to this book, I'm the only person I know of who can't play any drum beat except for "Sex Machine."

This is a great book for any musician, beginner or advanced. It gives Guitar and Bass notation as well as tab, and also drum music. The included CDs make it easier to catch on to the rhythm and learn all the parts. I play bass, guitar, and drums and this books has taught me many useful things in the funk and other areas. Great for anybody!

I want to thank the writters of this book for all the research and work that they put into this book and music cds! I am a saxophone and trumpet player who loves James Brown and moreover his tight-well-rehersed-musical-sidemen. The bass players, drummers, guitarist and hornmen of James Brown were some of the best in pop music history. James Brown and his side men inovated pop/rock/rb/soul music like Miles Davis did to jazz. Like Miles he was a great talent scout who knew what he wanted and how to put it together.

About the book/cd. I can now hear all the complex stuff going on thanks to the great isolation examples on the cd. Then I play along with the complete tracks with my horns...kinda of like a James Brown playalong.

The music is challenging, the timming is challenging but when you learn to play these great groove tracks you can handle any pop/rock/rb/soul music that comes your way. The guitars, bass and drum examples played on this cd are top quality by first rate musicians. Sometimes I just put the cds in and listen while driving. Get this book you will not regret it!!!!

Great book for any player. A good 101 of subdividing the funk riddim for both non solo players. These skills are adaptable to almost all other styles of music. Pick it up!