Funk guitar is all about rhythm and groove, and at the heart of that infectious sound lies a unique set of chords. More than just playing notes, funk guitar is about creating percussive, snappy rhythms that make you want to move. A key technique in achieving this funky feel is alternating between strumming actual chords and strumming muted strings, generating those signature “scratch” rhythms. In fact, in many funk songs, you’ll hear more muted strums than defined chords, emphasizing the rhythmic aspect.
To enhance that iconic funk guitar sound, effects play a crucial role. Compression is a favorite among funk guitarists because it delivers that tight, snappy attack that’s so characteristic of the genre. Another effect synonymous with funk is the wah-wah pedal, instantly evoking those classic 70s funk vibes.
Let’s dive into the essential Funk Guitar Chords that will get you started on your funk journey.
Essential Movable Funk Guitar Chords
Movable chords are your best friend on the guitar, allowing you to play the same chord shape in different positions on the neck to create different keys. These shapes are fundamental for funk guitarists.
9th Chords
The 9th chord is arguably the most important chord to learn when venturing into funk guitar. Its jazzy, extended sound is a staple in funk music.
Alt text: 9th chord diagram for funk guitar, movable shape.
9th Chords (no 5th)
This variation of the 9th chord omits the 5th interval, resulting in a slightly thinner, but still distinctly funky sound. It’s another useful color to add to your funk palette.
13th Chords
The 13th chord adds even more complexity and richness compared to the 9th. It’s a lush, extended chord that works beautifully in funk progressions.
Alt text: 13th chord diagram for funk guitar, movable shape with no bass note indicated.
7#9 Chords
The 7th sharp 9 chord, often called the “Hendrix chord,” has a bluesy, dissonant edge that can add a lot of character to your funk playing. It’s perfect for adding tension and release.
Getting Started with Funk Chord Grooves
A fantastic and easy way to immediately get a funky sound from your guitar is to practice transitioning between a 9th and a 13th chord. The beauty of these movable shapes is that often, only a single finger needs to shift to change between chords.
Try this: play a 9th chord shape, and then simply add your little finger to create a 13th chord. Experiment with switching back and forth rhythmically, incorporating muted strums in between.
Another cool technique to explore is sliding into a 9th chord. Try sliding into the chord shape from one fret below or above to add a smooth, gliding effect, common in funk guitar.
For example, you can practice sliding into an E9 chord from a D#9:
Alt text: Guitar tab example of a D sharp 9th chord sliding into an E 9th chord for funk guitar.
Beyond these shapes, don’t forget about standard barre chords as a foundation. A classic funk chord sequence you can practice is Am7 to Dm7, using barre chord shapes.
Exploring Funk Chord Voicings
Voicings refer to the specific way you arrange the notes within a chord. Different voicings can create subtle but significant changes in the chord’s sound and feel. Funk guitarists often utilize voicings that emphasize certain intervals and create a more percussive and rhythmically focused sound.
9th Chord Voicings
These are alternative ways to voice a 9th chord, offering different sonic textures.
13th Chord Voicings
Alt text: Alternative 13th chord diagram for funk guitar, showing a different voicing option.
These 13th voicings provide a different flavor compared to the movable shape from earlier.
Another 13th Chord Voicing
This provides yet another option for playing a 13th chord, giving you versatility in your playing.
7th Chord Voicings
Alt text: 7th chord diagram for funk guitar, alternative voicing shape.
This voicing provides a funkier take on a standard 7th chord.
Another 7th Chord Voicing
Another variation to expand your 7th chord vocabulary for funk.
Minor 7th (m7) Chord Voicings
Alt text: Minor 7th chord diagram for funk guitar, alternative voicing shape for m7.
Minor 7th chords are essential for funk, and these voicings offer a funk-focused approach.
Understanding Funk Chord Voicing Concepts
The chord diagrams above primarily focus on the shapes themselves, without explicitly indicating the root note or specific tones within the voicing. The beauty of these funk chords is that they are often movable. You can apply these shapes to different frets to play the chord in different keys. If you’re unsure about fret positions, the lists below provide specific examples for common keys.
These voicings often represent alternatives to more conventional 9th, 13th, 7th, and minor 7th chord shapes, and they are tailored to deliver a distinctly funkier sound.
Notably, some of these funk voicings intentionally exclude the root note of the chord. This might seem unconventional, but it’s a common technique in funk to create leaner, rhythmically focused chords. Think of these voicings as fragmented or essential versions of fuller chords, emphasizing the crucial intervals for a funk context.
Here are some fretboard positions for common 9th, 13th, and minor 7th chords using these voicing concepts:
9th Chords Examples:
- B9: XXX222 (or X21222)
- C9: XXX333 (or X32333)
- D9: XXX555 (or X54555)
- E9: XXX777 (or X76777)
- F9: XXX888 (or X87888)
- G9: XXX(10)(10)(10) (or X(10)9(10)(10)(10)) (Parentheses indicate fret numbers 10 and above)
13th Chords Examples:
- B13: XXX224 (or X21224)
- C13: XXX335 (or X32335)
- D13: XXX557 (or X54557)
- E13: XXX779 (or X76779)
- F13: XXX88(10) (or X8788(10))
- G13: XXX(10)(10)(12) (or X(10)9(10)(10)(12))
Minor 7th (m7) Chords Examples:
- Bm7: XXX232 (or X2X232)
- Cm7: XXX343 (or X3X343)
- Dm7: XXX565 (or X5X565)
- Em7: XXX787 (or X7X787)
- Fm7: XXX898 (or X8X898)
- Gm7: XXX(10)(11)(10) (or X(10)X(10)(11)(10))
Funk Chord Progression Examples
Chord progressions in funk are often characterized by their rhythmic and harmonic simplicity, allowing the groove and rhythm to take center stage. Here are some classic and effective funk chord progressions to get you started:
- F9 – G9 – F#9 – F9 (A classic descending chromatic movement)
- C9 – G#9 – G9 (Another chromatic flavor)
- C#m7 – G#m7 – B9 (Minor key funk progression)
- Bm7 – E9 – D9 (Common funk progression with a bluesy feel)
Adding Variation:
To add extra interest to these progressions, try incorporating slides or rhythmic variations. A cool technique is to slide the higher notes of the chords up two frets and then back to the original position. For example, in the second bar of a chord progression, you could slide the top part of the chord.
Here’s a short notation tab example illustrating this sliding technique:
- Bm7: 7 X 7 7 7 X / X X 9 9 9 X / X X 7 7 7 X
- D9: X 5 4 5 5 5 / X X X 7 7 7 / X X X 5 5 5
- E9: X 7 6 7 7 7 / X X X 9 9 9 / X X X 7 7 7
This creates a subtle but effective rhythmic and melodic movement within the chord progression.
Learn from the Masters: Funk Guitar in Action
Funk chord progressions are often static, meaning they might stay on the same chord for extended periods. This is where variations and embellishments become crucial. Try adding variations to a single chord, for example, moving between G9, G13, and G7#9. In this case, you might only need to add or move your little finger to transition between these chords, creating dynamic interest over a static chord progression.
To truly understand funk guitar chords, it’s essential to immerse yourself in the genre.
Funk Music: A Genre Rooted in Groove
Funk emerged as a distinct music style in the 1970s, deeply rooted in Black music traditions. To truly grasp the essence of funk guitar, familiarize yourself with the genre and its characteristic sound.
Listen to legendary funk artists such as:
- James Brown: The “Godfather of Soul” and a foundational figure in funk.
- Marvin Gaye: Known for his smooth, soulful funk.
- Prince: A true funk innovator and guitar virtuoso.
- Curtis Mayfield: Pioneering soul and funk with socially conscious lyrics.
These artists represent funk often combined with soul influences. Funk’s versatility extends to other genres as well:
- Funk Blues: Artists like Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Johnny Lang blend blues and funk seamlessly.
- Funk Rock: Red Hot Chili Peppers are a prime example of a band fusing funk with rock energy.
Listening to these artists will not only inspire you but also help you internalize the rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary of funk guitar.
Practice with Funk Drum Tracks
A fun and effective way to practice your funk guitar chords and rhythm is to play along with drum jam tracks. The following are examples of drum tracks specifically designed for funk practice:
Jam track 1 (Replace with actual link if available)
Jam track 2 (Replace with actual link if available)
Jam track 3 (Replace with actual link if available)
(Note: Since the original article only had text “Jam track 1/2/3”, I’ve kept it as text links. If you want to add actual links, you can replace the placeholders above.)
Playing along with drum tracks will help you develop your timing, groove, and ability to lock in with a rhythm section – essential skills for any funk guitarist.
Conclusion: Embrace the Funk
Mastering funk guitar chords is your gateway to unlocking the infectious grooves and rhythms of funk music. By understanding these essential chord shapes, voicings, and techniques, and by immersing yourself in the music of funk legends, you’ll be well on your way to creating your own funky guitar lines. So grab your guitar, dial in a压缩 (compressor!), and get ready to get funky!
