Intermediate guitarists
Looking to learn funk but don't know where to begin? This course is the perfect way to ramp up your rhythm.
1 week
Jude will guide you through 7 days of step-by-step instruction with interactive TAB and daily assignments.
Play funk effortlessly
You'll leave this class ready to groove like the greats with Jude's focused approach to funk guitar fundamentals.
Take the next step
Once you've built your funk foundation, dive into more advanced classes and guided practice plans.
What you'll learn
Tackle the fundamentals of funk with jam-ready drills designed to give your playing a fresh injection of groove.
- Master the art of percussive funk rhythm guitar
- Learn how to lock into a funk groove
- Level up with colorful chords & practical theory
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Curriculum
Stay focused with this step-by-step learning program designed by our expert team of music educators.
Your guided learning pathway
This 7-day course will give you a strong foundation that'll enable you to funk up your rhythm, stay inspired, and become a more expressive guitarist.
Fretting Hand
Welcome to the genre of joy and danceability.
On Day 1, you'll start playing right away with some simple funky chords and the iconic "chank" strum.
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Strumming Hand
In funk guitar, your strumming hand is like the Energizer Bunny – it just keeps going.
On Day 2, you'll learn fundamental funk strumming technique and practice locking into the groove over three professionally-produced beats.
The Number System
Wondering what the deal is with all of those roman numerals?
In Day 3, we take a playing pit-stop for some practical theory that will help you jam with others!
Day 4. Palm Muting
This technique is probably the most iconic sound in funk. In this lesson, you'll explore 3 different ways to incorporate the iconic palm muting sound in your playing.
Day 5. Chords are Colors
Spice up your chordal vocabulary with a fresh batch of colorfully-funky voicings.
Day 6. How to Break Out of a Creative Rut
Feeling less than funky? Learn how to find fresh inspiration when you need it most. This is a key element of making consistent progress on guitar.
Day 7. Expression
Take your playing from good to great with an exploration of techniques that will make you a more expressive guitarist. These are great for all styles of guitar playing.
Days 1 & 2
You have to learn to walk before you can funk... We'll kick things off with essential techniques.
Day 1.
After a brief introduction to the birth of funk, you’ll jump right into the thick of things by learning some simple funky chords and an essential string muting technique on Day 1.
In funk, your fretting hand is running the show – it decides which strums ring out melodically and which ones contribute to the rhythmic texture of a song. This lesson is where you’ll learn how to get that iconic percussive “chank” sound and explore how your thumb can help mute strings.
Day 2.
On Day 2, we’ll focus on your right hand with some basic strumming techniques as pioneered by early funk guitarists like Jimmy Nolen (James Brown's Band). Then, Jude will show you how to pick a strumming pattern by walking you through his thought process to locking into 3 groovy beats.
Days 3 & 4
Dive into essential theory that every musician should know and hone your palm muting skills.
Day 3.
On Day 3, we’ll explore an extremely helpful concept called the number system. Learning this will help you communicate with other musicians and quickly transpose songs to different keys.
In its most basic form, the number system involves substituting chords for numbers. Ever heard someone say 'let's play a two-five-one'? That's what you'll work on in this lesson.
Day 4.
Once you get comfortable with the number system, you’ll continue on your funk journey and learn three ways to incorporate string muting in your playing on Day 4.
This is a must-know funk technique – it'll add tension, grit, and rhythmic diversity to your playing.
Days 5-7
Now that you have a grip on the basics, we'll explore some more advanced techniques to fuel your funkin'.
Day 5. Chords as Colors
After you get the hang of palm muting, you’ll have all the techniques you need to funk up your playing. That brings us to Day 5, where Jude introduces the concepts of chords as colors and shows you how to spice up your chordal vocabulary. You'll learn essential chord extensions and get acquainted with the concept of reharmonization.
Day 6. How to Break Out of a Creative Rut
Staying inspired is the best way to make sure you don't stall your progress on guitar. On Day 6, Jude breaks down his tried and true methods for breaking out of a creative rut.
Day 7. Expression
On Day 7, Jude is laying down the gauntlet! He'll challenge you to work on some melodic concepts that will take you from being a good guitarist to a great one.
Take it further
Ready for more funk? Want to expand your soloing skills? Check out these additional classes.
Funk Guitar with Nicole Cerminara
Get some groove into your life. In this Master Class, you'll learn Nicole Cerminara's signature plucky fingerstyle funk techniques. This advanced class will challenge you to hone your sense of rhythm – especially in your picking hand.
CAGED Bootcamp
Learn how to solo in any key across your entire fretboard with our ultra-popular CAGED Bootcamp led by acclaimed guitarist-educator Dr. Molly Miller.
Advanced Fusion and Funk Guitar
Feeling stuck? Boxed in? Uninspired? Join Horace Bray as he teaches you advanced techniques and concepts to elevate your playing with fusion and funk concepts.
REAL students
Don’t take our word for it, take theirs
What guitarists love about this course
FULL REFUND, NO QUESTIONS ASKED
Improve your playing or get your money back
We’re so confident that we can improve your playing that we’re underwriting your membership with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.
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Your Instructor
Jude Smith
Jude Smith is a multi-talented artist who's known for his melodic & funky style. Learn the fundamentals of funk in his Master Class, or explore his lesson library to hone your sense of rhythm and groove.
Explore LessonsWhat’s in every Pickup Music membership?
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Frequently asked questions
The most structured approach to learning music
