BOOTSY'S BASIC FUNK FORMULA 

He makes it look easy. I like the way he teaches without any kind of arrogance. He just loves playing. It's like he doesn't even realise how great he is, and he believes anyone can do what he does! LEGEND!!!!

He was probably high as a kite but as clear as windexed windows.

This is so goes beyond the ultimate funk bass lesson - this is a lesson on how to live your life! You hit on the ONE.... then everything you feel can fit into that little space you got. Ahh... love him.

man... he's like a bass hendrix

This is *exactly* why RU-vid exists. Bootsy rules!

Also gotta add that this is probably the simplest, most straight forward and best explanation of funk I've ever seen!

I love how he has that massive grin on his face the whole time.

Such a simple riff... obviously the backbone of funk. Too many people overcomplicate things... such a legend, and what he showed here is epic because of the simplistic perfection. I don't claim to be any expert at funk, but I know good funk when I hear it.

this is more meaningful than 98% of the bullshit i learned during my short time in music school. that's for damn sure.

That is kick ass - funny how the greatest of musicians seem to express patience and support for those who aspire to learn.

This piece of information that is being relayed here to aspiring musicians that play bass guitar... or in my case bass keyboards... is a simple, accurate and honest fact. Keeping it on the One !!! The mathematics is very rudimentary... in fact most musicians .. especially funk musicians.. that do not adhere to this rule... are lost.. usually out of the pocket and do not create enough space. If you study what Bootsy is telling you here with all your heart, you will be a great musician. db

I read an interview where he said he learned "on the one" from playing in the James Brown Band, and JB would always yell "keep it on the one!"

i just love the syncopated "UH" the he continues repeating while playing

that little space that you got! :-)

Y'know?

It's SO COOL the way he can EXPLAIN it with such ease and clarity

Yeah I know, you know? ;D

this groove is unbelivable! i could listen to this all day.

It's the way he hits the one. It just sounds so funky.

So much rhythm, groove, timing, feel and FUNK!! should be against the law. He sounds better than I do just giving a 30 second demo.

bootsy the genius

Thanks Bootsy. Great video. And now I know what hit it on the one means. Slammin.

Never thought of it that way when playing. Simple and a great formula.

his smile creates instant happyness for everybody, he can make the world smile with his funk and smile.

I watch this video everytime I need to remember how to feel funk. Funkatastic!

His line on I Got To Move is epic, one of the best of all time

a true legend and some of the best improv advice out there, it made a night/day difference for my random jam sessions

I love the syncopation between his "uhs" and the bassline. Epic man.

I wish every thing about music was this easy

Wow, that's actually really good advice, lol.

Bootsy is THE MAN. That's the best freaking thing out there. Go on with your bad self, Bootsy...

Man he seems so high... Gotta love Bootsy! Pure funk.

True dat, Bootsy! You da one.

1.03 duwidit yunah, duwidit yunah, duwidit yunah, duwidit yunah... *infinity*

One, "snap" y'now? One, "snap" y'know? "plays" oh, ah, oh, ah. This man puts a smile on my face everytime I see this vid :)

"ughh, and dats da funk" i love bootsy

Funk is all about the ONE. This is how the great Father of Funk James Brown described how he invented FUNK - shift the emphasis on the downbeat (as compared to the upbeat reminiscent of the popular african american musical styles of that day like RnB). The Great Bootsy is actually explaining the foundation of FUNK itself; and is FUNK Himself.

Never a truer word spoken mate.

Damn that should be on a album 22-36. Thats hott

They are both funky. They compliment each other.

This bass looks like a spaceship

May the Funk be wid you

Let this be a lesson to us all.

O Bootsy you are the Funk Man for the ages.

Oh my god. This formula is absolute Genus! This is way better the pathagorean formula!!! Its so simple but amazing! Now that! right there is what you call writing music, That's FUNK!!! I STILL can't get over how awesome that is!

@n2brideau I second that. I use this formula all the time on guitar, sometimes without realizing it. He really does summarize funk bass/guitar in the simplest terms possible, however someone who is just beginning to play bass would probably be totally lost after this.

Love your bass!

you will NEVER be as cool as this guy!

One of the best.

you know, and thats the funk, you know, you know and thats the funk, you know, you know

quite possibly best of youtube! all-time!!

such a simple way of showing how to play funk. Shows that his a good funk bassist

Only the way he talks is already a song. "Ya know, that's the Funk.". Brilliant.

...and that's the funk ! Bootsy the funk mastermind !

Legend!

Oh my god, that's the greatest thing I've ever seen!

I love it! Bootsy is the man! I feel like I'm back in high school! awesome man! Midiman

this is the bomb!

Simple as hell and works. Awesome. :D

Genius at work

@SlikkTim Ah you're right man, he's movin' to the groove even when he turns it off.

he wasn't just groovin', he was actually dancing

He's got the funk, he's got the underwater funk...

FUNK IS... IMPERFECT HUMAN RHYTHM and the flirting with time! Bends, slaps and pops with some slack in it are also essential elements that makes the FUNK complete! It can also be mathematical by starting on the one like Bootsy said.

this is the cooolest / funniest video ive seen on youtube in four years

This man explains the FUNK better than most people play the FUNK.

THIS is why Bootsy is Bootsy!

best video on youtube right here.

I like the "You know?" - part :D

1:03-1:07 is the best! This whole thing is great.

THAT'S THE FUNK

GENIUS

Excellent!!!!

...and that's the FUNK!

Some company was selling official Space Bass reproductions a while back, but I'm sure that they're sold out by now.

bootsy's basic funk formula bootsy + space bass - sir nose d'void of funk = mothership connection

bootsy and his roller-skate fingers!

I guess that 41 people are missing the best concept on bass! Groovin!

I love bootsy

^5 BOOTSY YOU STILL GOT IT KINFOLK!

bootsy's even funky when he talks :D bootsy=the funkiest man alive

just awesome

"Ahh... the name is Bootsy, baby!" :)

My new hero

funky genius

Boy ..iisay ..boy ...now this the first lesson in Funk, keep it simple stupid. The first time i saw this, i jumped up and testified Amen to the funk i believe.

there is know why flea idolized this guy. this guy is the essence of funk, along with george clinton. bootsy is the shit and will forever will be.

Thats funky like an old batch of collard greens.

cool shirt,beautiful fingers,great natural musician...

great video! i think i start to improve my funk by buying a new shirt :-)

@EddieLandsberg yeah often people who do jazz courses feel they are expected to put into action all they know and feel uneasy with something as simple as the 1. Being a serious muso myself I can understand how they feel, but it's good when a pro can just come straight and say it's ok to keep it simple! :D

Hell yeah Bootsy Collins.

you can do anythang you wanna do wit it!

@liennto It's a Korg Rhythm 55.

@weathered79 yeah he is, i met him at the frankfurt musikmesse this year. very nice and friendly person. i like him very much.

Funk on the ONE baby!

Bootsy IS the bass, man!

Cool shirt!

wow this is so easy to do but u can do so many things with it i love funk =D

He is the coolest guy ever.