Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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One chord. Three layers. A whole lot of funk.

Here, Rick works over a funky live bass-and-drums track in E, built around an E dominant groove.

Degree one: break up the ninth chord instead of playing it as one solid block.

Degree two: add intervals of thirds to create more movement and melodic interest.

Degree three: keep building on the same pocket with one final rhythmic layer—without losing the groove underneath it.

The lesson is simple: you don’t always need more chords. Sometimes you need more ways to play the chord you already have.

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Which layer would you use first: the broken ninth chord or the thirds?

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