Ato Noel

February 6, 2015

MTL

The History of Funk

Funk originated in the mid 1960s. Black Americans combined elements of Jazz,
gospel, blues fusing it into one popular genre. Funk involved a lot of improvisation
and keeping the beat on one, as well as repetitive rhythmic ideas. Funk does not
hold a strong emphasis on melody and harmony; instead it focuses heavily on the
rhythm section of the band.
Instrumentation:

Drums
Electric Bass
Electric Guitar
Horn Section (Saxophones, Trumpets, and Trombone)
Pioneers of Funk
James Brown
George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelic
Sly and the Family Stone
The Brothers Johnson(post funk era)
Kool and the Gang
The Ohio Players
The Barkays
Earth Wind and Fire
Chaka Khan and Rufus