Funk is a
very different style of music based on R&B that had most popularity from late
1960s to late 1970s. Its name originated in the 1950s, when "funk"
and "funky" were used increasingly as adjectives in the context of
soul music.
One of the
most unique features of funk music is the role played by bass guitar.
Before soul music, bass was rarely prominent in popular music. Players like the
legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson brought bass to the forefront, and Funk
built on that foundation, with melodic basslines often being the centerpiece of
songs. Other noteworthy funk bassists include Bootsy Collins and Larry Graham
of Sly & the Family Stone. Graham is often credited with inventing the
percussive "slap bass technique," which was further developed by
later bassists and became a distinctive element of funk.
The strong bassline is primarily what separates Funk from R&B, soul and other forms of music. Melodic basslines often being the centerpiece of songs. Also, compared
to the soul music of 1960s, funk typically uses more complex rhythms,
whilesong structures are usually simpler. Often, the structure of a funk
song consists of just one or two riffs. The soul dance music of its
day, the basic idea of funk was to create as intense a groove as possible.
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