MusicGurus Learn the Funk Guitar with The Brand New Heavies

Full Description

Step into the groove

Heavily relying on groove, Funk is all about making music that people can dance to. An intricate genre that encompasses a wide range of different styles and inspirations, in this course your tutor Simon Bartholomew teaches you the skills, techniques and tricks he's learned from over 3 decades of composing, producing and playing funk live. In this course, Simon shows the evolution of the genre, breaking down the style of players such as Jimi Hendrix, Nile Rogers and Wes Montgomery to better understand the impact they had on the techniques and sounds you hear today.

A common transition for guitar players, Simon included, is to move from more classic rock and roll styles to funk. Simon guides you through the different techniques involved in creating dancefloor classics that stand the test of time. Building up your picking techniques, rhythmic strumming patterns and grooves, Simon arms you with the knowledge of how to create fun and interesting guitar parts that complement your song.

Breaking down three classic 'Heavies' songs, Spend Some Time, Never Stop and Gimme One Of Those, the Funk Guitar MusicGurus course provides you with added audio content in the form of backing drum tracks to let you practise along at home or on the go at your own pace. Additionally, special interactive sheet music allows you to play along with Simon, loop passages and slow down or speed up tempos.

From learning the techniques and phrases to the equipment, amplifiers and pedals you can use to create a sound, this is the comprehensive course on how to master funk guitar.

Meet your tutor

One of the most successful funk bands to hail from the UK, Simon Bartholomew is a founding member of The Brand New Heavies. Along with bandmate Andrew Levy, Simon has been writing, producing and playing funk live since 1985. From humble backgrounds, Simon and company started their musical journey in London, playing at local pubs and clubs before expanding their sound and touring across the US, Japan and just about anywhere else on a map.

Simons's guitar playing has been heard on the radio waves around the world for over 3 decades. Influencing the early iterations of the LA and New York Hip Hop scene as well as being proponents of the Acid Jazz movement of the early '90s. From starting as a traditional rock and roll guitarist, Simon Bartholomew draws his inspiration from blues, jazz, soul, rock, psychedelia, prog rog and pretty much anything that carries a strong sense of rhythm and groove.

Cited to be the first rap album with a live backing band, The Brand New Heavies' album 'Heavy Rhyme Experience' has had tracks included on modern blockbuster hit soundtracks such as the film Happy Feet. Multiple platinum and gold record sales speak volumes for the inspiration that Simon's music has had for a global audience. Continuing to write and record with his band, Simon has also lent his musical talent to several documentaries as well as other projects with much more to come in the future.

Take the lessons at your own pace

There is nothing worse than the feeling of being rushed when trying to learn and understand something as deep and complex as music, after all, everyone takes on information at different rates and sometimes online learning platforms provide limited-time-only licenses and subscription services that pressure you into further purchases and more expensive subscription periods. Well, MusicGuru has changed that as with their courses not only do you get the wealth of knowledge from in-the-industry professionals, but you also get lifelong access to your course and all the downloads that come with it. This means you can take the course at your own pace. You'll be able to dip in and out when you please and if you ever feel you need a refresher you can come back to MusicGuru without the need for any further purchases.

MusicGuru can also boast difficulty ratings so you know what you're getting into and advanced video features for the lessons, so if you want to take it back and hear the excerpt again but at a bit of a slower speed, you can! Being compatible with phones, tablets and desktops, you'll be able to learn when you want, where you want, whether that be in front of your instrument at home or just to pass the time whilst commuting on the train, MusicGuru design the courses to work around you, whatever your lifestyle.

Features

• Presented by legendary guitarist Simon Bartholomew of The Brand New Heavies
• Understand the foundations of funk groove and patterns to play along to the included drum backing tracks
• Learn in detail three 'Heavies' songs; Spend Some Time, Never Stop and Gimme One of Those
• Over one hour of video content divided into 17 exciting and informative lessons
• Discover the origin of funk guitar, learning how artists like Jimi Hendrix, Nile Rogers and Wes Montgomery influenced the sound
• Bonus audio content with included backing tracks for your projects
• Includes interactive sheet music to learn in greater detail
• Learn at your own pace with advanced video features
• Mobile, tablet and desktop friendly to learn anywhere on the go
• Lifelong access to lessons via MusicGurus website

Specifications

• Format: Redemption voucher delivered via email
• Product code: 8459