Play That Funky Music White Boy Guitar Lesson (Wild Cherry)

Here’s a funky, bluesy groove you can use to improve your timing and have a ball playing. 

It’s been proven to keep an audience twisting and shaking on the dance floor, all night long. It’s been played in party bands for decades and below I’m going to show you how to play the iconic guitar parts and lock into a foot-tapping groove.

So put on your dancing shoes and let’s dive into this “Play That Funky Music White Boy” guitar lesson.

Who wrote Play That Funky Music White Boy?

"Play That Funky Music" was written by Rob Parissi, lead vocalist and guitarist for the American funk rock band Wild Cherry. The song was released in 1976 and became a huge hit. It’s become a classic from the disco era.

Rob Parissi, was inspired to write "Play That Funky Music" after the band kept getting repeatedly asked to play more disco and funk songs during their live shows. 

Wild Cherry initially played rock music, but they noticed the rising popularity of funk and disco and decided to adapt their style accordingly. The title and chorus of the song were inspired by a comment made by a fan who shouted, "Play some funky music, white boy!" during one of their performances. Parissi took the suggestion to heart and wrote the song as a playful nod to this experience.

The track was recorded at Cleveland Recording Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The production was done by the band members themselves. They decided to keep the arrangement straightforward and danceable, perfect for the disco trends at the time.

"Play That Funky Music White Boy" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it remained for three weeks. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over a million copies. The song also earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.

It has been covered and sampled by numerous artists over the years. Including, (as I mentioned above) a ton of party bands.

One of the most epic parts is the…

Play That Funky Music White Boy Signature Riff

There are two guitars, one is playing a funky 16th-note groove while the other is playing a riff like this:

The signature riff to "Play That Funky Music" is one of the most recognizable parts. It just a few notes straight out of the E minor blues scale. But this is a great example of how a well-crafted riff can define a song and contribute to its popularity and longevity. 

Let’s talk next about… 

What key is Play The Funky Music White Boy in?

“Play That Funky Music White Boy” as recorded by Wild Cherry is in the key of E major. 

Play That Funky Music Guitar Chords

The main sections of the song are primarily based on dominant chords. The verses and pre-choruses are essentially just E. Then the choruses move up to G. Rob Parissi uses dominant ninth chords in the rhythm. 

First, you’ll need to know E9, G9, and Bb9. For these shapes, and when I’m playing funk guitar in a band, I like to use triads. Here we’ll use just smaller 3-note chords. Ideally, you want to play more on the treble strings so the chords cut through the mix of the band.

E9 can be played like this:

For G9, use the same shape, just relocate it up 3 frets like this:

Bb9 switches to the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings like this:

Then when you get to the tag, where the lyrics go:

Lay down the boogie and play that funky music 'til you die"...

Many players just double the melody line (which I explain how in the video above) or you can use these sweet sounding jazz chords that make you sound like a pro.

| Cmaj7 | Bm11 |

I just strum once on each chord, and they each last one bar or 4 counts. 

Cmaj7 looks like a standard open position C chord but without the 1st finger like this:

And finally, Bm11 is played from the 5th string down like this:

Once you get the riff and groove down, now you’re ready to try the…

Play That Funky Music White Boy Guitar Lesson Solo

The guitar solo to “Play That Funky Music White Boy” is all played over the riff vamping on an E9 chord. The best place to start would be to familiarize yourself with the E minor blues scale. This scale is a six-note scale built from these notes:

• E
• G
• A
• B♭
• B
• D

It’s similar to the minor pentatonic but with the added flat fifth (B♭), also known as the "blue note," which gives the scale its characteristic bluesy sound.

To learn how to play this scale anywhere on the neck grab my free blues scale PDF guide right here: 

From there, here are 3 more tips to start experimenting with in your solos.

1. Try creating short phrases (licks) using 2-4 notes. Focus on making each phrase musical and expressive, and practice them over the vamp. Use techniques like slides, bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and vibrato to add expression.
2. Experiment with dynamics and articulation. This means varying your picking dynamics to add contrast to your improvisations. Play some notes softly and others louder.
3. Learn and analyze solos. Listen to and analyze solos by famous blues guitarists (e.g., B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton). Pay attention to how they use the minor blues scale and try to incorporate their techniques into your own solos.

Conclusion:

To wrap it up, learning to play "Play That Funky Music White Boy" is not just about mastering an iconic song, but also about diving into the wonderful world of funk and blues guitar.

By understanding the song's history, breaking down its signature riff, and practicing its chords and solo techniques, you'll not only enhance your guitar skills but also gain a deeper appreciation for the great musicianship behind this song.

Whether you're jamming with friends, performing in a band, or just playing for fun, the grooves and licks from this song are sure to get everyone moving. So keep practicing, stay in the pocket. And to help you master this song and solo anywhere on the fretboard.  

Get your hot little hands on my free blues scale PDF guide right here:

Jon MacLennan