Funk Rhythm Guitar for Beginners: How to Get in the Groove

Funk rhythm guitar is all about groove. You don't need fast fingers or fancy gear. You need a steady strumming hand, clean muting and a good sense of time.

I play soul, funk and ska with bands around Sydney, and groove is a big part of my week. This guide gives you the core skills and a groove to try today.

What is funk rhythm guitar?

Funk rhythm guitar uses short, snappy chords and muted strums to lock in with the drums and bass. The guitar works like another drum in the band.

Players such as Jimmy Nolen (James Brown's guitarist), Nile Rodgers of Chic and Curtis Mayfield shaped this sound. Put their records on and listen to how tightly the guitar locks in.

The three skills behind funk rhythm guitar

1. Keep your strumming hand moving

Funk is built on 16th notes. Your strumming hand swings down and up in a steady motion, even when you aren't hitting the strings. That constant motion keeps your timing locked in.

Count it out loud: "1 e and a, 2 e and a, 3 e and a, 4 e and a". Your hand moves down on the numbers and the "ands". It moves up on the "e"s and "a"s.

2. Learn to mute

Muting gives funk its tight, choppy feel. After each hit, release the pressure on the strings with your fretting hand. Your fingers stay touching the strings, but the notes stop ringing.

3. Add ghost notes

Ghost notes are muted, percussive strums. Strum across the strings while your fretting hand rests loosely on them. You hear a "chk" sound instead of a pitch.

These tiny sounds fill the gaps between your chords. They make a groove feel alive.

Your first funk rhythm guitar groove, step by step

You only need one chord to start. Use a D7 shape on the top four strings:

• D string: open
• G string: fret 2
• B string: fret 1
• High E string: fret 2

Strum only those four strings and skip the two low ones.

1. Set a slow tempo. Put a metronome on about 70 beats per minute.
2. Keep your hand moving. Swing down and up in steady 16th notes. Mute the strings at first, so you hear only the rhythm.
3. Add the chord on the numbers and "ands". Hit the chord on each down stroke. Play ghost notes on the "e"s and "a"s.
4. Make it groove. Now try this pattern: hit the chord on 1, the "and" of 1, the "a" of 2, the "and" of 3 and the "a" of 4. Ghost everything else.

Take your time with step four. If you lose the pulse, go back to step three and build up again.

What gear do you need for funk rhythm guitar?

Almost any electric guitar will do. A clean tone with a bit of snap suits funk best. Many players like Strat-style guitars in the in-between pickup positions for that bright, quacky sound.

A compressor or a wah pedal can add flavour later. For now, practise clean. If you're curious about wah, have a look at my list of 10 of the greatest wah pedal songs.

How to practise funk rhythm guitar

• Practise with a metronome or a drum loop
• Keep your strumming hand moving, even when you rest
• Record yourself, then listen for rushed or dragged hits
• Start slow, then raise the tempo a few beats at a time
• Listen to James Brown, Chic and Curtis Mayfield every week

Timing is the heart of this style. My post on why timing matters so much shows you how to build it.

Where to find more funk grooves

If you'd like charts and play-along backing tracks, you'll find them on my Patreon page. Happy guitaring!