Funk Rhythm Guitar

How to Practice

1. 1Funk strumming uses 16th-note subdivisions: 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a.
2. 2Your arm moves in a constant 16th-note pendulum. Most strums are muted chucks (×) — only accent notes ring out.
3. 3Pattern A: the classic James Brown / Nile Rodgers approach — tight, clean, and relentless.
4. 4Keep your fretting hand slightly relaxed so muted strums give a clean 'chk' — don't fully fret them.
5. 5Gradually speed up. Funk grooves best between 90–110 BPM.

Tips & Techniques

• •The secret of funk: what you DON'T play is as important as what you do. Embrace the gaps.
• •Your fretting hand does most of the work — muting and releasing strings creates the percussive texture.
• •Record yourself and listen back. Funk rhythm is unforgiving — you'll hear if you're rushing.