What exactly does funk mean? Does it seem like a dying genre? Or, do you find yourself still itching to play your favorite funk songs even though you’re not really into that old genre? Either way, writing this article is all about helping you to understand funk and what you can do to become a funk master — not just a funk dabbler.
These are some fun beginner funk songs on guitar to learn to play. And while you are at it, take a look at these super easy songs on guitar for beginners too.
Contents
- 1 Beginner Funk Guitar Songs
- 1.1 Get Lucky – Daft Punk
- 1.2 Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- 1.3 Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
- 1.4 Fresh – Kool & the Gang
- 1.5 Jungle Boogie – Kool & the Gang
- 1.6 Red Hot Mama – Funkadelic
- 1.7 If You Want Me To Stay – Sly & The Family Stone
- 1.8 Fame – David Bowie
- 1.9 Daddy Cool – Boney M
- 1.10 Lose Yourself To Dance – Daft Punk
- 2 Final Notes
Beginner Funk Guitar Songs
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
This song is relatively accessible for beginners — with relatively few chords and many standard rhythms that build on one another. The groove in this song makes it so much fun to play, especially for beginners. The song starts with playing a basic progression in the first four measures. After each measure, the bass line drives you to the next chord. The bass moves up an octave over two measures, followed by a riff repeated every four.
Can’t Stop – Red Hot Chili Peppers
This is a funk classic. The note flow for each chord in this song is clean and straightforward. Because the note flow is so simple, making it easier for beginners to play. Each note in the chord is played exactly as written. It’s relatively simple but catchy enough to get stuck in your head.
Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
This song is so popular that any funk guitar solo instantly comes to mind. The song goes through many sections, with the singer focusing on each. It’s hard enough to play the beginning, but the power chord chords are challenging for beginners. If you’re having trouble figuring out how to play these chords, try imagining that you’re playing a simple power chord arpeggio, which is done by rapidly alternating power chords with softer chords.
Fresh – Kool & the Gang
This is one of the first songs most people will recognize from funk, and it’s easy to play. It has a catchy rhythm and catchy line, so it is easy to hear and to remember. It took years, but I finally managed to combine my two favorite things, funk and guitar, into one song.
Jungle Boogie – Kool & the Gang
This song is a funk classic, and I am sure that any guitarist who learns it will enjoy playing it. The chords are pretty simple, making it easier for beginners. It’s not uncommon for beginners to play a few bars of Jungle Boogie without a lick, but in time, they can become more playful and combine it with the chords.
Red Hot Mama – Funkadelic
Red Hot Mama is a funk classic that, like Jungle Boogie, is very easy, and anyone who learns it can also appreciate its special style. It’s fun and a little quirky, but they can easily blow the song if someone isn’t careful.
If You Want Me To Stay – Sly & The Family Stone
There is no doubt that if you want to play funk guitar, then this song is the most important for you. If You Want Me To Stay was the start of Funk music. The chord is simple, but the melody ( inner voice) is very complex. It’s a lovely song to play in front of your friend or at a concert.
Fame – David Bowie
Fame is one of the best funk songs to play on the guitar. Playing this music has such good memories for me as when I was 11, I used to dance in the living room with my father. It’s fun, and sometimes people will ask a second to play the song.
Daddy Cool – Boney M
Daddy Cool is a very famous song for guitar players. There are many chords, and the melody is typical funk music (the five-chord). This song would be a lot of fun to play at a concert because it will sound terrific. It’s easy to improvise and have fun with the song.
Lose Yourself To Dance – Daft Punk
Lose Yourself To Dance includes complex chords, which take a lot of practice. It also contains some nonstandard chords, which are common in the funk genre. The different guitar parts have complicated chords, and the bass lines are always low. The song stands out because it is crazy, and the chords are always hard to deal with.
Final Notes
One important thing to know is that funk songs are not simple to play on guitar. If you are new to funk music, you will probably struggle a lot. It will take time for you to get a solid rhythm, understand the song, and be able to play it. You will most likely make mistakes along the way if you haven’t studied funk music before.
Here are some beginner guitar songs with chords GCD to learn as well.