LearnJazzPiano.com archives: funky clav lessons?

james3 -- 04/07/2004, 04:25:02 -- #3349

Hey people,                     Does anybody know of an instructional method, book, or anything of that nature that deals w/ learning clav grooves?  I'm doing a lot of it by feel but I would really like to expand my playing in this area.  In case you don't know what I'm talking about I'm referring to the instrument on "Superstitious" by Stevie Wonder.         Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. James

7 -- 04/07/2004, 09:02:40 -- #3354

` Much Funk is based off a one chord vamp riff using the minor blues pentatonic to solo. The tricky part is getting the rhythm in the pocket. Listening and transcribing are the "secrets" to mastering the style. 7

Paul -- 04/07/2004, 09:12:42 -- #3356

there are some books by Andrew Gordon that deal with funk playing. I don't own any but I have seen some of the written and audio examples at adgproductions.com

gsandberg -- 04/15/2004, 05:39:54 -- #3529

Check out Mark Harrisons book Pop piano. Great book for contemporary stuff. Has an entire chapter of funky patterns and how to construct your own.

demitch256 -- 04/18/2004, 18:16:06 -- #3601

There's a book called "Funk Keyboards", by Gail Johnson, that has a chapter on funky clav grooves. Also from a listening standpoint, check out Neal Evan's solo on "Solid" from the CD "Soulive'. He plays a really mean and funky clav solo on this piece. When I first heard it, I thought it was guitar with a wa-wa on it. I've been listening to it over and over(through SLOWBLAST) trying to pick up some of his rhythmic nuances. He is really a awesome KB player. Check him out!! DaveM.

Copyright © 2005 by Scot Ranney. All rights reserved.

Click Here for more information about performances and clinics. Click Here to sign up for Scot's music announcements.