This Funky Bass Riff Will Improve Your Rhythm And Technique

August 9, 2019May 11, 2026

In this lesson we’ll be looking at a cool funky bass riff that will help you develop your timing, 16th note rhythms and overall technique. Buckle up and get ready for some syncopated bass goodness!!

The Riff!

While this riff might sound simple, we’re really using it to look at the subtleties of technique – particularly the way we play a shuffle feel on the 16th notes, and staccato notes to get that syncopated feel. You’re looking to develop a kind of muscle memory so you can play those really sharp, quick notes. This is all very much related to fingering and muting – so hand position on your fretting hand is the key element to think about here.

Practice Tracks:

80bpm:

100bpm

Playing Tips

Tip #1 – Play fairly hard over the pickup of a Precision bass or neck pickup of a Jazz bass to get that characteristic snap on the upper notes
Tip #2 – Stab at the notes with the fretting hand finger and quickly move from and to home position to create a more staccato duration on the upper notes
Tip #3 – Subdivide and count slowly through the bar to gain accuracy playing the syncopated 16th notes

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15 Comments

Paula Podgurski says:
August 10, 2019 at 12:08 am
Thank you SO much for your lessons! I have learned a tremendous amount. I am almost 60 years old and have been keyboard player all my life. Started bass seriously about a year ago. I appreciate you sharing the theory and also the written music, so I can remember what to play. I am having a ton of fun!
Blessings,
Paula
Reply
Matthew Kretzer says:
August 11, 2019 at 8:39 pm
I love this riff (and all your lessons). To the youngster above, I’ll be celebrating my 70th birthday this week. Matt.
Reply
1. Tony Ashby says:
  August 17, 2019 at 10:15 am
  Just BRILLIANT nobody can explain like you mark thankyou
  Reply
Benoit Dansereau says:
August 15, 2019 at 1:04 am
I love funk and had not played any so far. So grateful for this, I love the riff. Thanks Mark!!!
Reply
Pneurd says:
August 19, 2019 at 12:27 pm
Thanks for another funktastic lesson.
Reply
wilmar villela says:
August 21, 2019 at 3:07 am
Great Mark so easy to understand
your explanation great teaching!
Reply
mike chavez says:
September 29, 2019 at 5:47 am
Great stuff as usual Mark.
Reply
john everett says:
October 31, 2019 at 1:52 am
great riff,great lesson
Reply
Guido says:
January 6, 2020 at 6:16 pm
…see above comments!!
Reply
Brian Harton says:
April 9, 2020 at 10:28 pm
you explain music so well. looking at the chart, I thought Oh No…but, after playing along with you….No Problem…Thanks !!!
Reply
Richard Michaels says:
April 12, 2020 at 9:00 pm
This is a great riff, well explained and easy to follow.
Thanks!
Reply
Jacob Berdugo says:
June 16, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Thanks for the riff ,easy and nice
Reply
bruce bordeaux says:
August 4, 2020 at 6:19 pm
every thing you do is OUTSTANDING thanks
Reply
Troy Jordan says:
July 1, 2021 at 1:11 pm
Best bass teacher on the web
Reply
Edward Blaszczak says:
December 19, 2021 at 10:12 pm
Excellent lesson – this one as well as many others on talkingbass. I wish I had found this many years ago.
Reply