Learning Journal (WEEK 1 – CIU330)

Over the trimester break, Phil and I were busy with our projects that we had committed ourselves to at the start of trimester 5. Let us have a recap on the projects.

1. B&W Audio – Recording the B&W Funk Bros.

• 5 Song EP of Funk music

• EP titled Funk-a-fyed

• Sample of artwork so far

2. Coroda – B&W Audio are creating all the audio production

• Composition

• Sound design, foleys, atmos, and samples

Over the trimester break I committed myself to writing 5 funk songs. Since Funk music is completely new to me, I embarked on a journey to discover how Funk music was created.

I wanted to learn who were the cornerstones of the genre, and how it has changed over the decades from the Godfather of Soul and Funk – James Brown through to the Red-Hot Chili Peppers.

What’s the relationship between Jazz music and Funk chord progressions they use? It quickly came to mind that I really needed to be in a band that was playing the Funk hits, so I could create those classic Funk grooves.

Since I’m a roots style guitar player, I quickly learned that some basic chords weren’t going to cut the Funk. The artist and bands I started listening to were;

- La Chic (Nile Rodgers)

- James Brown (Funk music theory - it’s all about the one)

- Parliament-Funkadelic

- Average White Band

- Slave

- Gap Band

- Luther Vandross

- Sly and the family stone

- Earth, Wind & Fire

- Kool & The Gang

- The Doobie Brothers (Jeff skunk Baxter)

- Hot Chocolate

Since I don’t have the time to learn a whole heap of Funk classics, but I will differently be trying to get the ‘vibe’ so l can complete the project. Having Grand Funk Master Voodoo (Phil} as a partner is great, I can send him rough demos and he has the final say about the Funk factor. Yay or Nay

I’ve been experimenting with my little cheap practice amplifier. At the beginning, I had it under the desk, but it was getting a really loud 50 - 60Hz hum noise (damn it), therefore I decided the best course of action was to move it away from all the power boards and electrical equipment, and ostracise it to the other end of the room. I still have the hum problem, but it’s not as bad.

The amplifier under the desk.

The amplifier on the other side of the room.