R&B & Soul (Monthly Ongoing Class)

Love the grooves of Motown, the pocket of funk, the harmony of soul, and the rich sounds of R&B? R&B & Soul is an ongoing class for upper beginner to intermediate guitarists who want to develop the rhythm, feel, chord vocabulary, and musical awareness needed to play these timeless styles.

This isn't a class where we simply learn a song and move on. Each month, we'll study a new song, artist, groove, or musical concept as a starting point for a deeper exploration of how R&B, soul, funk, and related styles are constructed. We'll break down the guitar and bass parts, harmony, rhythm, and arrangement to understand what makes the music groove.

Rather than simply memorizing chord shapes or rhythms, you'll learn why these musical choices work and how to apply them to other songs, grooves, and musical situations.

What to Expect

The featured music and learning objectives rotate each month, allowing you to continually expand your playing while exploring different eras and approaches to R&B, soul, funk, Motown, and jazz-influenced music.

Depending on the material we're studying, class may explore:

• Shell voicings and compact chord shapes

• Moveable barre chord voicings

• 7th, 9th, and other more colorful chord voicings

• Understanding chord extensions and harmonic color

• Funk and pocket-based rhythm guitar

• Tight sixteenth-note rhythm patterns

• Muting and percussive strumming

• Syncopation and rhythmic displacement

• Developing groove, timing, and rhythmic precision

• Playing behind vocals and other instruments

• Bass lines and groove-based bass playing

• Understanding how guitar and bass interact within a rhythm section

• Creating complementary rhythm parts

• Developing your ear for harmony and rhythm

• Understanding the theory behind the chords and grooves you're playing

A major focus of this class is learning how to play less while saying more. R&B, soul, and funk often rely on carefully placed notes, rhythmic space, and subtle harmonic choices rather than constantly filling the arrangement.

You'll learn how to lock into a groove, listen to the other musicians around you, and make intentional choices about when to play, what to play, and how to play it.

Learn to Play in the Pocket

Great R&B and soul guitar isn't just about knowing the right chords—it's about feel.

We'll work on developing the timing and rhythmic awareness necessary to sit comfortably inside a groove. You'll learn how guitar and bass can work together to create a tight rhythmic foundation while leaving space for vocals, drums, keyboards, and other instruments.

We'll explore questions like:

• Where should the guitar sit within the groove?

• How does muting change the feel of a rhythm?

• How can a simple chord become more interesting through voicing?

• What makes a funk rhythm feel tight?

• How do guitar and bass divide their roles?

• How do harmonic extensions change the emotional quality of a progression?

• How can rhythmic space make a part more effective?

These skills are useful far beyond R&B and soul. The same concepts translate directly into funk, pop, jazz, gospel, rock, singer-songwriter music, and modern commercial music.

Explore the Artists Who Shaped R&B & Soul

Throughout the course, we'll study music from influential artists and bands including:

Stevie Wonder, The Impressions, Earth, Wind & Fire, Linda Ronstadt, Nina Simone, The Meters, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Whitney Houston, Bill Withers, Etta James, John Mayer, Curtis Mayfield, The Temptations, and many more.

This range allows us to explore everything from classic Motown and soul to funk, R&B, gospel-influenced harmony, pop, and modern interpretations of these traditions.

We'll study not only guitarists, but songwriters, singers, rhythm sections, and arrangers, because understanding the complete musical context helps you become a more versatile player.

Learn the Language, Not Just the Songs

Each featured song or groove gives us an opportunity to look deeper into the musical choices behind it.

We'll break down questions like:

• Why does this chord progression sound so rich?

• What makes this voicing different from a basic major or minor chord?

• How do chord extensions create color?

• Why does this rhythm feel so good?

• How does the bass interact with the guitar?

• Where is the pocket?

• How do the guitar and rhythm section create space for the vocalist?

• How can we take these concepts and use them in our own playing?

The goal is to develop a working vocabulary of chords, rhythms, and grooves that you can apply to music beyond the specific material covered in class.

A New Musical Deep Dive Every Month

R&B & Soul is designed as a monthly, ongoing class, with new songs, artists, grooves, techniques, and learning objectives introduced throughout the year.

Each month's material is layered to meet students where they are while providing opportunities to grow. As you continue through the class, you'll encounter increasingly sophisticated applications of rhythm, harmony, voicing, and groove.

Is This Class Right for You?

R&B & Soul is intended for upper beginner to intermediate guitarists who have a foundation in guitar and want to develop their rhythm playing, chord vocabulary, and musical feel.

This is not intended for complete beginners. Students who are brand new to guitar should first complete our Guitar Fundamentals program, also available through Rose City Guitar Company, to make sure they have the foundational skills needed to succeed in a genre-specific class.

If you're unsure whether you're ready for R&B & Soul, reach out to us for a free assessment. We'd be happy to help determine which class is the best fit for your current experience and musical goals.

A Flexible Membership-Based Program

R&B & Soul is one of many specialty classes included in our monthly membership program. As a member of Rose City Guitar Company, you're not limited to one class—you can build a schedule around your goals and interests.

Want to combine R&B & Soul with Frets & Theory, Rockin' n Rollin', Americana, Blues, or another specialty class? You can mix and match classes throughout the month to create a personalized learning path.

Memberships include 4, 6, 8, or up to 12 classes per month, with pricing based on how many classes you'd like to attend. This gives you the flexibility to explore multiple styles while learning alongside a supportive community of fellow musicians.

What Happens After I Purchase?

R&B & Soul is offered Thursdays at 7:30 PM. Your monthly membership covers 4 classes in this class.

Once you sign up through our website, we'll send you a welcome packet along with instructions for accessing our online scheduling system.

Because classes are limited to just 5 students, you'll reserve your seat each week through our online calendar. If you ever need to miss a class, you can easily reschedule into another eligible class—such as Guided Practice—using the same booking system.

If you have questions about whether R&B & Soul is the right fit for your experience level or musical goals, reach out anytime at 971-300-4202 or rosecityguitarco@gmail.com. We'd be happy to help you find the class that's right for you.