Song Lesson Library

Funk and Soul music comes directly from the Blues genre. But new chords and rhythms are included in these developed musical styles. You'll learn the rhythmic variations and more complex chords with the funk and soul song list below from the greatest artists in Funk and Soul history like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, The Meters and many more. Grab your guitar and get down on the good foot!

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There is 1 clean electric guitar in this song that strums the progressions with a laid back swing groove. This song uses barre chords and extended chords, and steady strums with a swing groove.

Published: 10/19/2023 Upgrade

There is 1 clean electric guitar in this song that strums the progressions with a laid back swing groove. This song uses barre chords and seventh chords, and steady strums with a swing groove.

Published: 10/12/2023 Upgrade

There is 1 clean electric guitar in this song that strums the progressions and adds chord embellishments throughout. This song uses diads and triads, simple chord embellishments, and a swinging 8th note groove.

Published: 04/20/2023 Upgrade

There is 1 clean electric guitar in this song that strums the progressions and adds chord embellishments throughout. This song uses barre chords, chord embellishments, staccato strums, and a 12/8 groove.

Published: 03/30/2023 Upgrade

There is 1 clean electric guitar in this song that strums the progressions with slight embellishments throughout. This song uses triads, chord arpeggiations and embellishments, staccato strums, and a 6/8 groove.

Published: 02/23/2023 Upgrade

There is 1 clean electric guitar in this tune, playing single note R&B lines and double stop riffs. This song uses single note R&B lines, double stop riffing, and playing with a 6/8 groove.

Published: 01/19/2023 Upgrade

There is 1 clean electric guitar in this tune, playing R&B style chords, lines, and fills. This songs uses double stops, staccato backbeat stabs, and some textbook R&B style rhythm guitar approaches.

Published: 01/12/2023 Upgrade

There is one clean electric guitar playing steady eighth note staccato strums throughout. This song uses upper string voicings, staccato strums on the backbeat, and a 6/8 feel.

Published: 10/27/2022 Upgrade

There are 2 clean electric guitars in this song. Guitar 1 digs into some R&B style licks and riffs throughout the tune, while Guitar 2 holds down the groove with a low E chord strum. This song uses double stops, hammer-ons, palm muting, and some funky R&B strumming.

Published: 08/25/2022 Upgrade

Mike will show you the single electric guitar layer in this song. It's a clean guitar that plays some dreamy arpeggiations throughout. On the recording, the guitar plays only half the time, so we've added an R&B rhythm guitar approach any guitarist would typically play to cover the missing sections.

Published: 09/13/2018 Upgrade

Mike will show you the single clean electric guitar layer in this tune handling the lead melodies and rhythm. The song opens with Guitar 1 playing the melodic hook right off the top. The horns take over in the other sections of the arrangement, leaving the guitar to switch to some wah wah infused strums and funky rhythm parts.

Published: 06/20/2018 Upgrade

Mike will show you the single clean electric guitar part in this tune that plays some funky riffs and chord stabs. The tune starts out with the guitar playing a bouncy, funky single note line in the lower register, while the arrangement follows a typical 12 bar blues form. In later verses, the guitar switches to playing staccato chord stabs locked in with the groove.

Published: 04/23/2018 Upgrade

Mike will show you the guitar part in this song that's all about the groove, supporting the singer, and getting people on the dance floor! He'll show you the triads, single note riffs, the backbeat and how the guitar is used in a support role in the arrangement.

Published: 12/12/2016 Upgrade

Mike will show you the parts to the single clean electric guitar playing chord strums and stabs in a strictly supportive role throughout with a gentle swinging 12/8 groove, extended barre chords, backbeat stabs, and double stops.

Published: 09/23/2016 Upgrade

In this set of lessons, Sharon Aguilar will teach "ABC", as made famous by The Jackson 5. Sharon will introduce the song and go over the gear and tones, then break down the details for the intro and verse, the chorus, and the bridge for guitar 1. Next we'll look at the same sections for guitars 2 and 3, and a bridge part for an additional guitar. We'll then do full and single guitar performances, and end with a jam along.

Published: 06/18/2015 Upgrade

In these ten lessons, Sharon Aguilar will teach "At Last", as made famous by Etta James. After a song introduction and a look at the gear and tone, we'll break down the intro and outro parts. Next up are the chords and rhythms for A sections 1 and 2, followed by the B section. We'll look at A section 3 before we learn the string melody on guitar, then do play a long performances and a jam along.

Published: 01/21/2015 Upgrade

Douglas will show you a single guitar approach teaching you many of the melodies and licks played in a funky style, along with some chords that you can play during the chorus.

Published: 01/12/2015 Upgrade

In this set of lessons, Mike Olekshy will teach "That's the Way I Like It", as made famous by KC & the Sunshine Band. After introducing the song and dialing in the gear and tone, Mike will teach the verse of the tune. Next up is the chorus guitar part; then we'll adapt the horn melody to guitar just for fun. We'll do full and single guitar performances, then you'll take over in the "guitar karaoke" jam along.

Published: 08/21/2014 Upgrade

This song is all about making people dance, and everything that happens in the band is supporting this. The whole song is based on a one-chord jam, and the part we'll be playing uses a combination of funky 16th note strumming and a lower pentatonic single note lick that locks in with the bass.

Published: 08/07/2014 Upgrade

In this set of song lessons, Mike Olekshy will teach "Son of a Preacher Man", performed by Dusty Springfield. Mike will introduce the song and talk a bit about gear and tone before getting into the intro riff. We'll look at the verse part, followed by the chorus; then check out the bridge. We'll learn the 3rd verse and outro before we do a play along performance, and a "guitar karaoke" jam along.

Published: 05/12/2014 Upgrade

In this set of lessons, Sharon Aguilar will teach "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)", as made famous by The Four Tops. After a song introduction and a look at the gear and tone, Sharon will break down the rhythm guitar and chord voicings in the song. Then she'll teach you the bass line as a bonus, before doing play along performances; you'll take over in the "guitar karaoke" jam along.

Published: 11/27/2013 Upgrade

In this series of lessons, Henrik Linde will teach "Have You Seen Her", by The Chi-Lites. After the usual song introduction and gear and tones, Henrik will launch into the fuzz guitar melody and rhythm in the intro. The A section progression is next, then the B section; we'll look at the outro rhythm before we head to a play along performance and a jam along.

Published: 09/11/2013 Upgrade

In this tutorial, Mike Olekshy will be teaching you "Skin Trade", by Duran Duran. Mike will talk about the role of guitar in funk, and the gear and tones; then it's right into the pocket with the verse part. Next up are the clean and crunch parts for the pre-choruses and the choruses, then we'll break down the bridge. Lesson 9 looks at the final variations, then we'll do a play along performance followed by a jam along where you take center stage.

Published: 06/27/2012 Upgrade

In this tutorial Anders Mouridsen will teach you how to play the classic New Orleans funk jam song "Cissy Strut" as made famous by The Meters. You're gonna learn everything you need to know about this song; how to play the melody or the "head", how to play the B section ensemble line, how to "comp" when someone else is soloing and how to take a solo yourself. After this tutorial you'll be able to jam out with the record or go play Cissy Strut live at a jam-session.

Published: 02/07/2011 Upgrade

In this tutorial you'll learn the main parts to this classic funk/dance song. There are surprisingly few; it's based on some simple yet effective repeating licks. You'll also learn the proper body glitter to body ratio for stage personae. It's about the pocket so we'll put it all in a groove to top it off.

Published: 05/25/2010 Upgrade

In this tutorial we are going to take a look at how to play "Testify" as made famous by Parliament. This track features some great funk licks and in this video, I will show you how to play some of the clavinet parts as well. Let's check it out!

Published: 05/18/2010 Upgrade

In this tutorial we are going to take a look at how to play the late 60's funk classic "It's Your Thing" by The Isley Brothers. We'll to teach you both guitar parts, and we are also going to take a look at how the guitar fits into the whole arrangement by soloing it against each instrument. Remember it's not about how much you play, but how tight your groove is and how you fit into the big picture. Let's groove!

Published: 04/18/2010 Upgrade

Step along the dance floor, learning the moves that guys envy and ladies adore. We'll walk you step by through funk picking and timing, the various chords used in the sections of the song, even how to double the bass line. In short, how to get your groove on!

Published: 02/19/2010 Upgrade

Shining Star was a top 40 hit in the mid 70's, bringing a raw, street funk energy to mainstream radio. We laid down the groove for the song in a backing track, and show you how to play the funky rhythm guitars and shredding guitar solo over the top.

Published: 09/01/2009 Upgrade