Theory and 80's Funk/R&B/Soul

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ChinaWhyte

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I've been playing piano by ear for some time now and just recently begun learning music theory in order to further my skills. I have a great interest in artists/groups such as The Whispers, Midnight Star, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Sade, etc. What are some techniques used for 80's Funk or R&B composition. I realize that many songs in this genre focus on only 2 or 3 chords in their progressions. Many times I came across a I-V or I-IV progression throughout the entire song. But when I try applying these progressions to my own compositions on the piano, they don't sound as big or interesting. I know the use of 7ths and 9ths are vital for this type of genre. Are there any common ways of voicing these chords? Are there any patterns (regarding theory) you can hear in songs by these artists? Any advice or tips are appreciated.
 
songs that only have a I-IV progression or I-V progression are usually accompanied by simple chords. Are you trying to make your chords overly complicated? Might want to try playing the root and just the 7th and 9th of the chord in the right hand. It might also be that you're playing on a piano that lacks the warmth that can be attained through recorded music, editing, etc.. and be passionate when you play, it always makes a difference
 
dear stashspliffs - lay of the weed for a moment and read this:


In the major chords I-IV-V in Funk are dominant 9ths (1-3-5-b7-9) and higher extensions. Chords ii-iii-vi are at least minor 7th (1-b3-5-b7) and possibly minor 9ths (1-b3-5-b7-9).

In the minor chords i-iv are minor 7ths. Chords V-bVI-bVII are dominant 9ths and higher extensions.

Where funk differs from other music (besides the above) is in the use of rhythmic patterns.

16th note strumming patterns on the guitar with internal syncopations (off the beat notes held over to the beat), muting and scratching.

Bass lines tend to be mobile and make use of popping, snapping and ghost notes as well as muting, hammer-ons, pull-offs and combinations thereof, and scratching.

Melodically we have upbeat sounds and the use of blues inflected notes (semitone below/above moving to the note).

The brass sections (2 trumpets, tenor sax and trombone (all reading the same part or a close harmonisation of it)) generally play syncopated 16th note lines (-c-c-c-c-cbcdc-------) as well as long fp crescendos (swells).

Drums are again heavily syncopated, with an emphasis on 16th note patterns that are more straight than hip-hop but can still tend to swing ever so slightly (mpc55% or so). Raised/open hi-hats feature as do the use of the toms in keeping the backbeat as well as decoration/fills. More subtle use of different cymbal types (crash/ride/splash/china/tang/...) is also evident in a lot of this style of music. For more extreme examples find anything by Billy Cobham, Weather Report, The Brecker Brothers, some Steely Dan, Wayne Shorter, Larry Carlton, etc.
 
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This is all great advice, I'm definitely going to use some of the info from these posts.
 
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