Syncopated funk in A

Off-beat sixteenths around a low A with an octave jump and a pentatonic run up — the push-and-pull of funk bass.

← All bass lines & exercisesFunkIntermediate
70 BPM
Start at 70 · goal 110 BPM
Press play — or hit the space bar.
Position on the neck
0 frets
Frets 5–8 · key: A minor pentatonicSee the scale →
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Where to play it

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Playing now Notes in this lick

How to practise it

  1. The second A comes on the 'a' of beat 1 — just before beat 2. Count it slowly first.
  2. Keep the hand in 5th position: everything is between frets 5 and 8.
  3. Play it short and dry; muting between notes is what makes funk tight.
  4. Start at 70 BPM. Only speed up when you can play it cleanly three times in a row — the goal is 110 BPM.