Funk Guitar Mastery: The Complete Guide to Playing Funk Rhythm Guitar (Play Funk Guitar)

Just a heads up to buyers the first half of this book is entirely 16th note rhythms of the E9 chord. The rhythms are fine but I was hoping for some more melody and harmony. There are some chord embellishments later in the book, but I wasn't really seeing much beyond what you would find online. I was hoping for a combo of cool strumming patterns with licks thrown in and this didn't really deliver. That said I think this would be a reasonable book for a beginner guitar player that wanted a basic into to funk playing, so I'll give it 3 stars. When I bought this book I also bought the Neo-Soul guitar book from the same publisher (Fundamental Changes). I've been finding that a lot more interesting so intermediate and advanced players may want to take a look at that one.

Very good basic funk rhythm guitar instruction book. Suitable for experienced intermediate guitar learners - or a more advanced player not familar with funk rhythm technique. Strong on the crucial 16th note strumming pattern. Well explained and easy to follow logic and examples. Comes with access to audio database for examples of the correct way to play the written rhythm pattern. Lots of useful exercises to get the player through the phases of the different possible rhythms - including mixing quarter note time with triplets. It also covers the most common chords used and their extensions and gets into some single note playing funk lead approaches too. But the focus of this book is to get the student fully grounded in the rhythm element of funk guitar.The instruction is good without confusing the student. Get this book if that is what you want to learn

After several years of playing the guitar I realized that going back to basics was a necessity. I kinda jumped right into learning other people's songs and never really mastered the basics. So when I saw how this book was laid out with all the rhythmic exercises, it appealed to me. Also, funk is a style of guitar that interests me - among others. I bought this book for the exercises and going through it has greatly improved my playing. One of the nice things about this book is that the exercises, once mastered, can be applied to almost any style of guitar. Another nice thing is that the exercises are laid out logically, but simple enough in structure that a raw beginner can play them as well. If you want to get a better grasp of basics and just plain have some fun, then get this book. The price is certainly reasonable for all you get.

I’m a guitar teacher, been at it for 20 plus years. One of my students wanted to learn funk guitar. After some research I chose this book. I love the step by step instruction and the focus on mastering the funk rhythms in the first several chapters of the book. It does a great job reinforcing the basics before leading you to the deep end. Great book, I highly recommend it!

A fantastic book. I've found that the examples are helpful and downloading samples from FundamentalChanges.com really helps in grasping the different examples.I've been consumed by Nile Rodger's playing of late and this helps in figuring out the rhythms and the inversions he's constantly playing. Although I foresee finding more of Joseph's books to dive deeper into those.The only thing I can complain about is that the Kindle format does not lend itself greatly to viewing the images with the rythm/chord examples. I've worked around that by pulling up the Kindle app on my laptop.

Just started this book. I had actually bought Joseph's Guitar Fretboard Fluency and found that so well done that I decided to buy this as well. I am using it the way it was written so so far I have been gradually increasing my 16th note strumming and picking to 120BPM...I'm only at 74BPM so far...Having flipped through the pages, I am certain this is going to be a very good book. Doesn't happen overnight but I'm sure this book will really help my playing!

This incredibly well-written book is definitely the answer to the question of "how do I play the funk?" From theory to timing, chords and rhythms, riffs and beyond - this book covers it all. A recommended purchase for the funk enthusiast!

Great way to build rhythm and timing. Something everyone could use! Check out other books in this series. They are great.

I am going to be the voice of dissent here. Joseph Alexander's books are well reviewed because he provides incentives to leave a review immediately on purchasing. How many reviews are written by people who have spent several months with a book? Very few.I do like Alexander's introductions and the way he formats a book, but I often find the material itself uninspiring to play. The problem with this book, Funk Mastery, is that the contained rhythms simply aren't funky. While you probably could improve your rhythm chops by working through the exercises, I gave up. Limited practise time is too scarce to waste on dull material.Alexander has a gift for presenting theory in a straightforward, logical manner, and I would recommend his jazz books as a good read, irrespective of whether you follow the exercises. This book, however, is one to miss. There are far more interesting rhythm books available. Perhaps try Chris Hunt's Playing Funky Rhythm Guitar. Both the chords and their placement within the bar are 'correct', and the examples will help you to sound funky. As ever though, practise required!

Wow. Although I didn't expect Joseph to do this book, this is by far my favourite of his series of books. As much as I love playin/learnin Blues, funk is always fun to play.I've always played a bit funky, being a red hot chili peppers fan since I was 10. This book as helped me improve my funk skills. And explains how/why certain things work.So if you wanna get funky, I'd recommend this book to you. As I would recommend any of Joseph's other books.

Great book that's helps with all aspects of playing i.e. Rhthym, Timing , and good understanding on the brilliant style of Funk and how to master it correctly, also as on all Joseph's books the price is very reasonable, great stuff Thanks John.

This book deals with the essential techniques of bringing out your inner "Nile Rodgers". I really like how there are exercises devoted to the rhythmic strumming patterns even before the essential chords to this style of music are introduced. One of the best places to start.

I have many books in this series. They are all great. This is no exception.