funk trombone method

[totob]

Hi!
i am approaching funk music and i am looking for some method to work on
Do you have any recommendation?

thanks

[WilliamLang]

listen like crazy, especially to Fred Wesley. also check out NYC based trombonist Nadav Nirenburg and his instagram page - he did a long series of posts highlighting different funk/jazz'shout trombone players with transcriptions posted alongside videos.

https://www.instagram.com/nadav_trombone/

[MagnumH]

Hello! Welcome to my wheelhouse. It's stanky in here.

Some general pointers.

Overdo the articulation. Hit things hard, use tongue stops. The main goal, especially in a section is to be as tight as a squeaky door.
Dynamics below mf don't exist. Don't be subtle.
Don't be afraid to have a harsher, brighter sound than you might want for jazz. You want immediacy in your tone.
Get super comfortable with alternate positions for speed and accuracy. And with the range from Bb to Bb above the staff, you'll want to hang out there quite a lot.
Blues scales and pentatonic scales will get you 99% of the way there.

And listening is everything.
For section work, check out bands like Tower of Power, Lettuce, Chicago, Earth Wind & Fire...there are so many more. And, of course, James Brown and the JBs. Listen, learn, play along, get it as tight as you can.

For solo playing stuff: Fred Wesley is the king. But also check out Dennis Rollins, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Nils Lundgren's Funk Unit (very cheesy funk but the bone playing is on point).

[WilliamLang]

great comments ^^^

[Fidbone]

Dennis Rollins is working on some online video Funk lessons right now....... Keep an eye on his website for any developments

[totob]

thanks everybody for the suggestions!
i will listen to the trombonist you talked about

and regarding methods, do you have recommendations? or you think it is "not necessary"?

[BGuttman]

Learn your fundamentals. Learn your theory. Listen to examples of the style.

if Blazhevich was good enough for Jimmy Pankow, it's good enough for you.

[Bach5G]

Blazhevich: king o’ de fonk. Get down.

[MagnumH]

Learn your fundamentals. Learn your theory. Listen to examples of the style.

if Blazhevich was good enough for Jimmy Pankow, it's good enough for you.

Agreed - your core fundamentals (long tones, lip slurs, flexibility, Blazhevic, Brad Edwards, Marstellar, Arban) are super important in every style. Funk has a particular sound and way of playing, but it should still be technically correct. For specific funk method, there’s nothing that I know of. Listening and playing along (and playing with real bands, when possible) is the only way to develop that.

Also, the groove is king. Absolutely king. Always be aware of the rhythm section and their work, with bass emphasis on beat 1 (listen to Bootsy Collins. Also note that Fred Wesley basically never plays on the 1 when soloing) and snare backbeat on 2 & 4. Everything you do has to fit that with that groove. Spectacular trombone acrobatics is secondary to soulful, groovy playing.