Ultimate Funk Grooves for Bb Instruments by Ben Tompsett
92 of the Funkiest Sax Riffs Known to Mankind
isbn 1-882146-29-8 Front Cover Artwork: Jim Stubbington Published & Distributed exclusively by A.D.G. Productions 15517 Cordary Ave., Lawndale CA 90260 web site address http://www.adgproductions.com e mail
[email protected] copyright © 2006 A.D.G. Productions No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the copyright holder. Printed in Canada
Ultimate Funk Grooves for B b Saxophone 92 of the Funkiest Sax Riffs known to mankind
FUNK A style of music born in the mid sixties, that carries with it an unmistakable ‘attitude’.
RIFF An integral part of funk music. A short repetitive musical idea, or phrase.
> ABOUT THE BOOK Funk, and its infectious style, remains a popular part of the music we listen to today. Timeless recordings from artists such as James Brown, The Commodores, Stevie Wonder and many more, continue to enjoy massive popularity, and have had a major influence on contemporary music styles, such as Hip-Hop, Rap, and R n’ B. The Saxophone in Funk music, has its place not only in the Horn sections so often heard in this genre, but also as a dynamic solo instrument. This book contains 92 riffs that showcase the different ways in which the soloist can create a distinct Funk sound to their playing. The CD that comes with the book contains 31 different grooves that accompany 1
each of the riffs, and covers a wide range of different Funk styles, from the mid-sixties to the present day. The book is intended for the musician who wants to practically develop their playing style and improvisation technique in this genre.
> IMPROVISATION Successful improvisation in any style of music is about developing, through playing, some form of pre-prepared material. This can be in the form of a scale that works over a given groove/chord, or even some short musical ideas/phrases. The latter are commonly referred to as ‘Riffs’, and make up much of the soloing and structural motifs that we hear in Funk music. Through playing and further developing the 92 riffs contained in this book, the instrumentalist will gain a greater understanding of playing in this style, and can improve their soloing technique.
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> GETTING STARTED Each page of the notation covers 1 of the 31 grooves included on the CD, and contains anything from 1 to 4 separate riffs that fit with the track. Each groove is recorded twice. The first version has the saxophone playing the riff against the track, followed by the same number of bars just rhythm section, for the instrumentalist to copy the given riff. The saxophone then plays the next riff on that page, and so on. The second version is an entire track of just the rhythm section. It is intended that the instrumentalist will start with the given riff, and use the extra space to develop further ideas.
Whilst some of the riffs contained in the book are playable by beginners, the majority of the material is intended for the intermediate to advanced player. It will be necessary, with some of the more complex riffs, to practise them through first before using the CD.
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> THE NOTATION EXPLAINED In order to notate these riffs as precisely as possible with regards to ’feel’ and certain specialized techniques, some different notation has been used in places.
‘Ghost Notes’ The second note in the extract below is an example of a note that should be played as a ‘Ghost Note’. The best way to describe these notes is that they should be felt but not heard. Pass the fingers over the note, and allow it to sound lightly, or even not at all.
Alternative fingerings The purpose of the alternate fingering technique used in the book, is to add slight changes of tuning/timbre to repeated notes. A slightly different note head has been used to show when an alternative fingering should be applied – see the middle 16th. note of the group of 3 D’s in the example below.
An extensive Saxophone fingering chart can be found online at the publishers website www.adgproductions.com. This chart covers standard, alternative, and even the altissimo fingerings required for some of the optional harmonics used in the book. 4
> FURTHER PRACTISE Getting out there and playing as part of a band is essential for getting the feeling of what Funk music is really about. In order to improve ones versatility as an instrumentalist, something that is vital for ensemble playing, the material in this book covers all different keys and many different styles of grooves at varied tempos. Each riff has been specifically written for one of the 31 Grooves, but part of the further development of this material should be the practice of adapting them over the other tracks on the CD. This will in some cases involve transposition and adaptation of the riffs to make them work over the given chords/key/style, but will prove an invaluable exercise in preparing oneself for playing in a band environment, either as a soloist or section member.
> BONUS MATERIAL 6 Additional Grooves and 17 extra Riffs, that we were not able to include in the book, are available for free download in mp3 and pdf format from, www.adgproductions.com. Please enter ADG098, or the title of the book, in the search engine of the website.
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> RELATED LISTENING Below is a list of some of the Grooves included in the book, each with a related Artist/Band for further listening. Groove 1 Groove 2 Groove 3 Groove 4 Groove 5 Groove 6 Groove 7 Groove 8 Groove 9 Groove 10 Groove 11 Groove 12 Groove 14 Groove 16 Groove 17 Groove 19 Groove 21 Groove 22 Groove 24 Groove 25 Groove 26 Groove 27 Groove 28 Groove 29
CD TRACKS 1 & 2 CD TRACKS 3 & 4 CD TRACKS 5 & 6 CD TRACKS 7 & 8 CD TRACKS 9 & 10 CD TRACKS 11 &12 CD TRACKS 13 & 14 CD TRACKS 15 & 16 CD TRACKS 17 & 18 CD TRACKS 19 & 20 CD TRACKS 21 & 22 CD TRACKS 23 & 24 CD TRACKS 27 & 28 CD TRACKS 31 & 32 CD TRACKS 33 & 34 CD TRACKS 37 & 38 CD TRACKS 41 & 42 CD TRACKS 43 & 44 CD TRACKS 47 & 48 CD TRACKS 49 & 50 CD TRACKS 51 & 52 CD TRACKS 53 & 54 CD TRACKS 55 & 56 CD TRACKS 57 & 58
Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 21 Page 23 Page 24 Page 26 Page 28 Page 29 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36
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The Meters Ben E. King Marvin Gaye The J.B.’s James Brown The Crusaders Funkadelic Isaac Hayes Michael Brecker Ohio Players Tower of Power Herbie Hancock Junior Walker & The Allstars Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King Brothers Johnson Sly & the Family Stone Prince The Average White Band Parliament Maceo Parker Hamilton Bohannon Rik James Roy Ayers Curtis Mayfield
> ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Card Design by Tony Masterantonio
Saxophonist, Ben Tompsett is a performer and teacher who has extensive experience of Funk music from across the years. Visit his website for current information on latest projects, albums, and live performances – www.btompsett.com
> CREDITS Ultimate Funk Grooves for Saxophone – all material written and arranged by Ben Tompsett Saxophones, Keyboards and programming – Ben Tompsett Guitars – Mike Ross Bass – Dave Baxter, Mike Pratt Recorded and Mixed by Ben Tompsett
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Groove #1 Track 1 + Sax Track 2 - Sax
C7
Groove #1 Track 1 + Sax Track 2 - Sax
Groove #1 Track 1 + Sax Track 2 - Sax
Funk Riff #1
q = 106
q = 106
C7
Funk Riff #3
q = 106 C7
Funk Riff #2
8
Funk Riff #4 Groove #2 Track 3 + Sax Track 4 - Sax
Groove #2 Track 3 + Sax Track 4 - Sax
q = 90
Funky Shuffle
Gm7
C9
Gm7
C9
Funk Riff #5 q = 90 Gm7
Gm7
Funky Shuffle
C9
C9
Funk Riff #6 Groove #2 Track 3 + Sax Track 4 - Sax
C9
Gm7
Funky Shuffle
q = 90 Gm7
9
C9
3
Funk Riff #7 Groove #3 Track 5 + Sax Track 6 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 108 Dm9
Funk Riff #8 Groove #3 Track 5 + Sax Track 6 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 108
Gm7
Dm9
Groove #3 Track 5 + Sax Track 6 - Sax
Funk Riff #9 q = 108
Funky Shuffle
Dm9
3
10
Funk Riff #10 Groove #4 Track 7 + Sax Track 8 - Sax
Groove #4 Track 7 + Sax Track 8 - Sax
q = 100
Funky Shuffle
G9
q = 100
Funk Riff #11 Funky Shuffle
G9
Funk Riff #12 Groove #4 Track 7 + Sax Track 8 - Sax
q = 100
G9
Funky Shuffle
11
Groove #5 Track 9 + Sax Track 10 - Sax
q = 98
Funk Riff #13 E7#9
Groove #5 Track 9 + Sax Track 10 - Sax
q = 98
Funk Riff #14 E7#9
Groove #5 Track 9 + Sax Track 10 - Sax
q = 98
E7#9
Funk Riff #15
3
12
Funk Riff #16 Groove #6 Track 11 + Sax Track 12 - Sax
q = 148
A7#9 D7 D7
A7#9
E7#9 F7
Groove #6 Track 11 + Sax Track 12 - Sax
q = 148
A7#9
A7#9
D7
F7
A7#9
E7#9
E7#9
Funk Riff #18 A7#9
D7
A7#9
A7#9 F7
Funk Riff #17
q = 148
Growl
D7
Groove #6 Track 11 + Sax Track 12 - Sax
E7#9
A7#9
3
E7#9
13
D7
E7#9
Groove #7 Track 13 + Sax Track 14 - Sax
Funk Riff #19 q = 86
Funky Shuffle
G#m7
E13
Groove #7 Track 13 + Sax Track 14 - Sax
q = 86
Funky Shuffle
G#m7
3
3
G#m7
Funk Riff #21
Growl
E13
q = 86
Funk Riff #20
E13
Groove #7 Track 13 + Sax Track 14 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
fp
14
Groove #8 Track 15 + Sax Track 16 - Sax
q = 102
Cm9
Funk Riff #22
3
Groove #8 Track 15 + Sax Track 16 - Sax
q = 102
Funk Riff #23 Cm9
Groove #8 Track 15 + Sax Track 16 - Sax
q = 102 Cm9
Funk Riff #24
3 3 3 3
3
15
Groove #9 Track 17 + Sax Track 18 - Sax
Funk Riff #25
q = 126 Bm7
E/B
Groove #9 Track 17 + Sax Track 18 - Sax
Groove #9 Track 17 + Sax Track 18 - Sax
Bm7
E/B
fp
Funk Riff #26
q = 126
q = 126
3
Funk Riff #27 Bm7
E/B
16
Funk Riff #28 Groove #10 Track 19 + Sax Track 20 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 94 D7#9'13
Funk Riff #29 Groove #10 Track 19 + Sax Track 20 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 94 D7#9'13
3
3
Funk Riff #30 Groove #10 Track 19 + Sax Track 20 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 94 D7#9'13
17
Groove #11 Track 21 + Sax Track 22 - Sax
Funk Riff #31 q = 111
Groove #11 Track 21 + Sax Track 22 - Sax
Funk Riff #32
q = 111 A7sus
Groove #11 Track 21 + Sax Track 22 - Sax
Em7'13
q = 111
A7sus
Funk Riff #33
fp
Groove #11 Track 21 + Sax Track 22 - Sax
q = 111
Funk Riff# 34 Em7'13
3 3 18
Groove #12 Track 23 + Sax Track 24 - Sax
Funk Riff #35
q = 95 F#m7
3
3
F#m9
A,7/B Gm7/C
Groove #12 Track 23 + Sax Track 24 - Sax
q = 95
F#m7
Funk Riff #37
F#m7
A,7/B
F#m9
3
19
Gm7/C G13
q = 95
Funk Riff #36
F#m9
Groove #12 Track 23 + Sax Track 24 - Sax
G13
A,7/B
Gm7/C
G13
Groove #13 Track 25 + Sax Track 26 - Sax
Groove #13 Track 25 + Sax Track 26 - Sax
Funk Riff #38
q = 120 Bm9
q = 120
E7/B
Bm9
Funk Riff #39 Bm9
E7/B
Bm9
mp
Groove #13 Track 25 + Sax Track 26 - Sax
Funk Riff #40
q = 120
E7/B Bm9
Bm9
20
Groove #14 Track 27 + Sax Track 28 - Sax
Funk Riff #41 q = 108 A7
Groove #14 Track 27 + Sax Track 28 - Sax
q = 108
A7
A7
D/A
Groove #14 Track 27 + Sax Track 28 - Sax
D/A
A7
Growl
Funk Riff #42
A7
A7
D/A
A7
D/A
q = 108 A7
Funk Riff #43
21
A7
D/A
A7
A7
D/A
3
A7
Funk Riff #44 Groove #15 Track 29 + Sax Track 30 - Sax
Groove #15 Track 29 + Sax Track 30 - Sax
q = 96
Funky Shuffle
F#m7'13
3
q = 96
3
Funk Riff #45 Funky Shuffle
F#m7'13
3
Funk Riff #46 Groove #15 Track 29 + Sax Track 30 - Sax
q = 96
Funky Shuffle
F#m7'13
3
22
Groove #16 Track 31 + Sax Track 32 - Sax
q = 130
Bm9
Groove #16 Track 31 + Sax Track 32 - Sax
Funk Riff #47
A2
G,9
E/F#
Funk Riff #49
Groove #16 Track 31 + Sax Track 32 - Sax
G,9
Funk Riff #48
q = 130 Bm9
E/F#
A2
G,9 A2 opt. q = 130 Bm9
3
3
3
E/F#
23
Groove #17 Track 33 + Sax Track 34 - Sax
q = 114
F#m7
F#m7
Groove #17 Track 33 + Sax Track 34 - Sax
Funk Riff #50
q = 114
F#m7
q = 114
B/F#
Funk Riff #52 F#m7
F#m7
B/F#
Funk Riff #51
F#m7
Groove #17 Track 33 + Sax Track 34 - Sax
B/F#
24
Funk Riff #53 Groove #18 Track 35 + Sax Track 36 - Sax
Blues Swing
q = 85
A7#9
3
D7
3 3 3
A7#9
3
E7#9 3
3
3
3
3
3
D7
3
3
3
A7#9
3
3
3
25
3
3
Groove #19 Track 37 + Sax Track 38 - Sax
Funk Riff #54
q = 109
Gm7'13
Groove #19 Track 37 + Sax Track 38 - Sax
q = 109
Funk Riff #55 Gm7'13
Groove #19 Track 37 + Sax Track 38 - Sax
q = 109 Gm7'13
Funk Riff #56
pp
slight shuffle
26
Groove #20 Track 39 + Sax Track 40 - Sax
q = 100 G7#9
Eb7#9
Groove #20 Track 39 + Sax Track 40 - Sax
Funk Riff #57
q = 100
D7#9
C7
G7
C7
G7#9
G7
D7#9
q = 100 G7#9
Eb7#9
Funk Riff #58
Eb7#9
Groove #20 Track 39 + Sax Track 40 - Sax
Funk Riff #59 C7
D7#9
27
G7
Groove #21 Track 41 + Sax Track 42 - Sax
Groove #21 Track 41 + Sax Track 42 - Sax
q = 115
Groove #21 Track 41 + Sax Track 42 - Sax
Funk Riff #60
q = 115 Ab7sus
q = 115
Funk Riff #61
Ab7sus
Funk Riff #62 Ab7sus
28
Groove #22 Track 43 + Sax Track 44 - Sax
F#7sus4
Groove #22 Track 43 + Sax Track 44 - Sax
Funk Riff #63
q = 98
q = 98
G/A Ab/Bb
A/B
Bb/C
B/C#
Funk Riff #64
F#7sus4
G/A
Ab/Bb
A/B
Groove #22 Track 43 + Sax Track 44 - Sax
q = 98 F#7sus4
Bb/C
B/C#
Funk Riff #65
G/A
Ab/Bb
Bb/C
A/B
29
B/C#
Funk Riff #66 Groove #23 Track 45 + Sax Track 46 - Sax
q = 109
Groove #23 Track 45 + Sax Track 46 - Sax
Db7
q = 109
Db7
q = 109
Funk Riff #67
Groove #23 Track 45 + Sax Track 46 - Sax
Funk Riff #68 Db7
30
q = 90
Funk Riff #69 D7sus
Groove #24 Track 47 + Sax Track 48 - Sax
D7sus
Groove #24 Track 47 + Sax Track 48 - Sax
3
G13
G13
Funk Riff #70 Funky Shuffle
q = 90 D7sus
Funky Shuffle
G13 3
opt. D7sus
G13
Funk Riff #71 Groove #24 Track 47 + Sax Track 48 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 90
D7sus
G13
G13 D7sus
31
Groove #25 Track 49 + Sax Track 50 - Sax
q = 100 E7sus
Funk Riff #72
Groove #25 Track 49 + Sax Track 50 - Sax
q = 100
E7sus
q = 100 E7sus
Funk Riff #73
Groove #25 Track 49 + Sax Track 50 - Sax
Funk Riff #74
32
Groove #26 Track 51 + Sax Track 52 - Sax
C
Groove #26 Track 51 + Sax Track 52 - Sax
Funk Riff #75
q = 102 Am7
D
Am7
Am7
q = 102 Am7
C
D
C
Groove #26 Track 51 + Sax Track 52 - Sax
C D
Funk Riff #76
q = 102 Am7
D
Funk Riff #77
C
Am7
33
D
C
D
Groove #27 Track 53 + Sax Track 54 - Sax
q = 110
Funk Riff #78
C#m7'13
E7
Groove #27 Track 53 + Sax Track 54 - Sax
Groove #27 Track 53 + Sax Track 54 - Sax
q = 110
F#7
3
Funk Riff #79
C#m7'13
E7
q = 110
F#7
Funk Riff #80 C#m7'13
E7
F#7
34
Funk Riff #81 Groove #28 Track 55 + Sax Track 56 - Sax
Funky Shuffle
q = 92
Em9
A13 Em9
A13
Em9
Em9
A13
A13
Funk Riff #82 Groove #28 Track 55 + Sax Track 56 - Sax
q = 92
Funky Shuffle
Em9
A13
Em9
A13 Em9
A13
A13
Em9
3
Funk Riff #83 Groove #28 Track 55 + Sax Track 56 - Sax
q = 92
Funky Shuffle
A13 Em9
3
Em9
A13
Em9
A13
Em9
A13
35
Funk Riff #84
Groove #29 Track 57 + Sax Track 58 - Sax
q = 138 Fm7
Cm7
Groove #29 Track 57 + Sax Track 58 - Sax
q = 138
Gm7
Fm7
Gm7
Groove #29 Track 57 + Sax Track 58 - Sax
Gm7
Funk Riff #86
q = 138 Fm7
Cm7
Gm7
Funk Riff #85
Cm7
36
Gm7
Gm7
Groove #30 Track 59 + Sax Track 60 - Sax
q = 92
Funk Riff #88
opt.
Groove #30 Track 59 + Sax Track 60 - Sax
G,7/A
Groove #30 Track 59 + Sax Track 60 - Sax
Funk Riff #87
q = 92
q = 92
G,7/A
3
Funk Riff #89
G,7/A
opt. 37
Groove #31 Track 61 + Sax Track 62 - Sax
Funk Riff #90 Funky Shuffle
q = 104
Em7 A/E
Em7
A/E
Groove #31 Track 61 + Sax Track 62 - Sax
q = 104
Funk Riff #91 Em7
Funky Shuffle
A/E
Em7
A/E
opt. Funky Shuffle q = 104 A/E Em7 3
Funk Riff #92
Groove #31 Track 61 + Sax Track 62 - Sax
A/E
Em7
38
---- DISCOGRAPHY ---ARTIST
ALBUM
YEAR
James Brown Junior Walker & the All-Stars Bar-Kays The Meters Sly & the Family Stone Curtis Mayfield Roy Ayers Funkadelic Isaac Hayes The Fatback Band Marvin Gaye The J.B.‘s Betty Davis Herbie Hancock Kool and the Gang Stevie Wonder War Charles Wright The Crusaders The Isley Brothers Ohio Players The Blackbyrds The Brecker Brothers Billy Cobham Brass Construction Tower of Power The Average White Band Bootsy's Rubber Band
Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag Shotgun Soul Finger The Meters Stand! Curtis He’s Coming Maggot Brain Shaft Let’s Do It Again Trouble Man Food for Thought Betty Davis Head Hunters Wild and Peaceful Innervisions Deliver the Word Doin‘ What Comes Naturally Scratch Live It Up Skin Tight City Life/Unfinished Business Brecker Bros. A Funky Thide of Sings Brass Construction I Urban Renewal Person to Person Stretchin' Out in Bootsy's Rubber Band Car Wash Wild Cherry Commodores Blam!! Summertime Groove We All Know Who We Are The Best of Earth, Wind & Fire, Vol. 1 Come Get It! Defunkt Zapp Sign o‘ the Times Mo‘ Roots Musicology Schools In!
1965 1965 1967 1969 1969 1970 1971 1971 1971 1972 1972 1972 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1973 1974 1974 1974 1975 1975 1975 1975 1975 1976
Rose Royce Wild Cherry The Commodores The Brothers Johnson Hamilton Bohannan Cameo Earth, Wind and Fire Rick James Defunkt Zapp Prince Maceo Parker Prince Maceo Parker
1976 1976 1976 1977 1978 1978 1978 1978 1978 1980 1980 1984 1991 2004 2005
Funk and its infectious style, remains a popular part of the music we listen to today. Timeless recordings from such artists as James Brown, The Commodores, Stevie Wonder, The Meters, The Crusaders, Brecker Brothers, The Average White Band, Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, Prince, The Blackbyrds, Manu Dibango, Maceo Parker, Junior Walker & the All Stars, and many more, continue to enjoy massive popularity and have had a major influence on contemporary music styles, such as Hip-Hop, Rap and R&B. The saxophone in Funk music has its place not only in the Horn sections so often heard in this genre but also as a dynamic solo instrument. This book contains 92 riifs that showcase the different ways in which the soloist can create a distinct Funk sound to their playing. The audio CD that comes with the book contains 31 different grooves that accompany each of the riffs, influenced by the aforementioned artists, and covers a wide range of different Funk styles from the mid-sixties to the present day. The book is intended for the musician who wants to practically develop their playing style and improvisation technique in this genre.
Popular books for saxophone published by A.D.G. Productions available through A.D.G. Productions or your local music store. 100 Ultimate Jazz Riffs for Bb instruments Latin Solo workout for C, Bb & Eb instruments Jazz Solo Series for Bb instruments 100 Ultimate Blues Riffs for Bb instruments Blues Horn Ensemble Playing Outstanding Jazz Saxophone Solos For Bb instruments Published & Distributed by: A.D.G. Productions 15517 Cordary Ave., Lawndale CA. 90260 http://www.adgproductions.com (310) 379 1568
isbn 1-882146-29-8
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63389 10982
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