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Music vocabulary · Genres and Styles

Funk

Meaning in music, with examples

nounCommon term

In music, funk means: A music style rooted in African American traditions that emphasizes strong bass grooves and interlocking, often syncopated rhythmic parts.

In Turkish: funk

How it is used

Used in arranging and rhythm-section work. Short guitar chords, active bass lines and precise drum accents often work together in funk.

Example sentences

  1. The funk groove felt tighter when the guitar left room for the bass accents.

    The parts become more effective by fitting around each other rather than filling every gap.

  2. She arranged the old melody as funk, with a repeated bass figure and clipped horns.

    The new rhythmic setting changes the song's style while retaining its melody.

Common collocations

  • funk groove
  • funk bass
  • funk rhythm guitar
  • grooveThe rhythmic feel of a piece that makes people want to move, created mainly by the drums and bass locking together.
  • syncopationPlacing accents on weak beats or between beats instead of on the strong beats, which makes a rhythm feel surprising and lively.
  • arrangementA version of a piece that decides which instruments play which parts, how sections are ordered and how the song builds from start to finish.

More terms: Genres and Styles

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