funk

Latest about funk

Patrick Patterson of Cymande feels the funk as he performs SXSW 2022, playing his sunburst Gibson ES-339 – a guitar that's served him well over the years.

Sampled by Grandmaster Flash, De La Soul and the Fugees, Cymande shaped the sound of hip-hop. Now they’re back to claim their legacy

By Andrew Daly published

Cymande’s influence on hip-hop culture is huge. But with new album Renascence, the spotlight returns to the funk institution, and Patrick Patterson is here to play

Guitarists
Cory Wong playing his signature Fender Stratocaster

Think playing rhythm guitar is boring? Cory Wong is here to change your mind

By Cory Wong published

In his inaugural Guitar World column, Cory Wong establishes the principles – and the mentality – of good rhythm playing, and how you can make yours fun

Artist Lessons
Grace Bowers performs on Day 1 of BottleRock Napa Valley at Napa Valley Expo on May 24, 2024 in Napa, California

Grace Bowers on moving past the blues guitarist label – and where she’s heading next

By Janelle Borg published

Bowers’ blues chops were the gateway to her making a mark on the guitar scene, but her album and live performances show that she’s much more than just a one-genre player

Guitarists
Three funk guitar maestros [l-r]: Hamish Stuart of Average White Band crouches down to play his Telecaster; Nile Rodgers of Chic gives the audience some love; and Claydes Charles Smith of Kool and the King holds it down with sunglasses on in an archive B/W live shot.

The glitterball guitar heroes of ’70s funk were masters of rhythm guitar – and their techniques will make you a better player

By Jon Bishop published

Unpacking the techniques pioneered by the likes of Nile Rodgers, Hamish Stuart and Claydes Charles Smith

Artist Lessons
Jude Smith, funk guitar maestro and Pickup Music educator, poses with a Fender Telecaster Deluxe.

Palm-muting is the secret to good funk guitar – here’s how you can use it to funkify chords, double-stops and single notes

By Jude Smith published

Learn the secret ingredient to funk guitar parts that groove and swagger

Lessons
Blu DeTiger performs at KOKO on January 26, 2024 in London, England

Blu DeTiger on how she's changing people’s perception of bass players

By Janelle Borg published

With her newly released signature guitar with Fender, DeTiger shares her vision for redefining the bass as a leading instrument

Bassists
Right-Ella Feingold with guitars in the background; Left-Bruno Mars of Silk Sonic performs onstage during the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada

How Ella Feingold got working with Bruno Mars – and how it differed from her Prince audition

By Janelle Borg published

Feingold had already worked with Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu and Queen Latifah when she got the call from Bruno Mars

Guitarists
Jamey Arent plays a Heritage LP-style single-cut on a leather couch, surrounded by house plants.

Learn 10 funk guitar riffs inspired by James Brown, Prince and Vulfpeck

By Jamey Arent published

Pickup Music’s LA-based session ace Jamey Arent is your host for a lesson that’s not only a great introduction to the fundamentals of funk guitar, but could be the inspiration you need to take your funk chops to the next level

Techniques
Donnie Laudicina teaches a James Brown-inspired funk rhythm figure

Learn the ‘chanking’ funk approach popularized by game-changing James Brown guitarist Jimmy Nolen

By Donnie Laudicina published

You can chank us later for this lesson in an approach that could revolutionise how you execute your rhythm guitar manoeuvres

Techniques
Giacomo Turra playing his signature D'Angelico guitar on an NYC rooftop

D'Angelico teams up with funk sensation Giacomo Turra on a '60s-inspired signature model

By Janelle Borg published

The Giacomo Turra Bedford SH features an all-new Supro Gold Field pickup that promises to deliver clear, single coil-like tones, with the added boldness of a humbucker

Electric Guitars
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