Practice ghost notes and muted string patterns from the PDF.
Most beginners play every note cleanly. Funk bass sounds like a chain rattling inside a pillow. Laboriel teaches that 50% of your notes should be "ghost notes" (percussive scratches with no pitch).
In this post, we'll be focusing on a beginner's guide to funk bass, using Abraham Laboriel's teachings as our foundation. Specifically, we'll be drawing from his comprehensive lesson guide, available as a PDF download.
For a beginner, the primary hurdle is coordination. Laboriel’s exercises likely break the groove down to a single string. For example, an exercise on the E string: Play an open E (beat 1), then mute the string and rake the index finger across it for two ghost notes (the "e" and "&" of beat 2), followed by a slapped or plucked octave. This mechanical pattern, repeated ad nauseam, ingrains the muscle memory necessary for funk autonomy. basslessonabrahamlaborielbeginningfunkbass1pdf top
If you are downloading educational reference files online, ensure you look for high-resolution scans where the notation accents, hammer-ons ( ), pull-offs ( ), and thumb/pop markings (
"Beginning Funk Bass" by Abraham Laboriel provides a foundational guide for intermediate bassists, focusing on a unique, percussive approach to the instrument. The curriculum emphasizes rhythmic precision, incorporating "slap and pop" techniques, ghost notes, and syncopation to develop a strong, "soulful" funk groove. You can find more information about Abraham Laboriel's educational resources.
If your PDF is the version, it includes his specific pick angle diagram: 45 degrees downward, striking the string through the pickup, not over it. Practice ghost notes and muted string patterns from the PDF
is a legendary figure in modern music. Graduating from the Berklee College of Music, he went on to record over 4,000 tracks for iconic artists like Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Madonna.
A fantastic free resource is the ongoing “Music Education Monday” series on . They published an article featuring Abraham Laboriel’s “Beginning Funk Bass” video. This is an excellent way to get a taste of the lesson and see if it’s right for you before you commit to buying the full DVD and book.
Among his instructional materials, the curriculum associated with stands out as a foundational blueprint for musicians aiming to transition from basic timekeeping to deeply pocketed, rhythmic playing. Who is Abraham Laboriel? Laboriel teaches that 50% of your notes should
Abraham Laboriel's approach to teaching funk bass is a masterclass in musicality and technique. By focusing on the percussive nature of the instrument, his techniques empower bassists to develop their own unique voice and a deep, irresistible groove. Whether you are using a PDF, a video, or attending a workshop, his lessons provide the tools necessary to unlock your potential as a bassist.
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