Funk music characteristically focuses on bass lines. Electric guitars, drums and bass guitars are given the most attention and set the tone for the genre.
Bebop jazz chords were adopted by funk music. However, instead of changing the chords often, funk music generally sticks to a single chord throughout the whole song.
Guitars in funk music almost always play percussion beat, rather than back-up harmonies or melodies. An often-heard sound is the "wah-wah" effect.
James Brown created his own unique, groovy music style in the mid-1960s. His popularity and musical innovations helped create the funk genre and pushed it into the foreground.
Funk music influenced and inspired several other musical genres. It is seen most in go-go music but also influenced new wave and post-punk sounds.