Beginner Funk Bass Made Simple (Bootsy’s Funk Formula)

You can be a total beginner, know no theory, and still use this formula to kill it with beginner funk bass and beyond.

Bootsy Collins is the legendary bass player who played with James Brown, and then Parliament-Funkadelic and Bootsy’s Rubber Band. His “funk formula” came from his experience working with James Brown and learning about “the one”, which he developed further with his later project.

In this video I’ve broken down the formula to work even for beginner funk bass, so that you don’t have to guess if you’re doing it right or not. I’ll talk about what “on the one” actually means, how Bootsy defines it and how we can use it to sound funkier.

I’ll also show you a cool fretboard shape called the Funk Box, which will give you quick access to some notes that will sound funky on almost anythang.

#beginnerfunkbass #funkbasslesson #bootsycollins

[johntoob]

Worked at a motel in the mid 90s, took a smoke break out back and a dude hit me up for a smoke, turned out he was Bootsy's tour bus driver. He took me on a little tour of the bus, totally funked out inside, looked like a disco club from the 70s. Way cool.

[johnquintmatt]

i’ve learned more on Funk and 12 bar blues from you than i have any other time in the past 15 years! i’m definitely a better bass player now because of your videos. thank you!

[HealerWarrior]

I’m sitting here with my son and saw the the title. I look at my son and said, “Bootsy’s formula?! It’s all about hitting on the one. Let’s see what this guy has to say?” When we saw your text screen, “It’s all on the one.” We just smiled at each other and was like, alright, let’s hang with this video. Great job and thank you.

[danf]

This is a better lesson than 90% of the in-person experiences I've had that ended up costing hundreds of dollars with little to no improvement. Thank you, definitely earned my like and subscribe!

[afrocoolio]

When I first started playing years ago, my uncle told me about the 'Bootsy Rule'. Seriously, you can incorporate that rule into just about any type of music. Once I got that down, my playing was times better than ever before.

[mitchdunn]

I've tried several bass coaches, even one at the music store (who is an awesome player) but from all the videos etc, you are the first one I've found that I can follow as a new player... Awesomesauce man. Thanks.

[camf]

As a guitarist, I recognize the notes in the "funk box" as part of the A Minor pentatonic scale. But with frets 5 and 7, playing funk, blues, jazz, there's so much to play within that sweet spot of notes

[nedryerson]

Anytime you put something in the funk box, it feels good.

[markozaltahona]

Best funk bass lesson for begginers i've ever found . Groovin' from colombia with this teaching.

[brucemerryman]

It’s awesome to learn how to play the bass without all the HEAVY
Thank

[NanaKyuubi]

I just bought a bass a few days ago, and this video is insanely helpful. Thanks for putting all the effort to make it !!!! Amazing job!

[PeterPrestonUK]

I haven’t played for a while so I’m getting back in the groove by watching Josh’s vids. I’ll follow it up with his course - which I cannot recommend highly enough.

Keep it on the ONE, dudes!

[kwtg]

I never would have imagined that in the YouTube-verse that, I've leaned more guitar from a bass player. Keep it coming!

[timothyallen]

I've been playing for a couple of years now but haven't really developed much but in the last couple of weeks just watching your stuff on the blues and now funk I've been able to expand my playing. Thank you.

[martinlaporte]

I started playing bass again after many years off and I was looking for some basic tips and information and your video is spot on. Awesome job!!!

[Edesto]

OMG this was amazing!!! I am an absolute beginner of Bass, been practising for maybe a month or so on and off. just learned my first bit of theory from this guy, and now he is actually teaching me how to play funk with my friends! This guy is a Godsend!

[derekdauchan]

Man, it's great to see you back.
Appreciate and respect all your lessons Josh. Thanks so much.

[iffanurfalinna]

I watch all the lesson vids just to know how to figures out the bass line by listening to the song. even though I doesn't have bass guitar.

and yah I got it little by little.

Thank you so much Mr.

[brihoover]

Hey Josh. Thanks for the lesson! Being a complete novice to the bass and to learning music your lessons have been extremely helpful in navigating how to play.

[merkaba]

You really nail it man. So smooth and easy to follow too. :) Thanks for what you do!