Jazz-funk has an emphasis on danceable grooves and improvisation.

The harmonic structure

is often simple to allow for freedom of play when improvisation occurs. Arrangements,
melody and overall writing are where the emphasis lies. Jazz funk features strong bass lines
and heavy guitar riffs, with the bass line predominantly playing the hook in most songs.
Aside from the bass and electric guitar, jazz funk features drums, keyboards/keyboard-like
instruments and horns such as the saxophone, trumpet and trombone.

Modulation, motifs, repetition, and retrograde also play a significant role in the composition
of jazz-funk music. Key signature modulation occurs quite frequently within many pieces.
Motifs often happen within the melodic upper voicings, in keys of horn voicings. Repetition
occurs most commonly within the bass voicing, shifting infrequently or when playing a riff or
groove, repeating the phrase several times either the same way or in retrograde (reversing its
function); this will also often occur in a vamp (the simple or short introductory passages that
are repeated frequently. Vocal stylings include grit and rasp with gospel-influenced vocals
and emotional expression. The lyricism often revolves around themes of social commentary.
Jazz-funk relies heavily on dominant chords as a base. As the piece progresses, it often
incorporates dominant substitution, with many of these dominant voicings operating as
extended chords of a 9th, 11th, or 13th, mostly appearing in minor and blues tones. The
standard Dorian funk groove of I-|IV, a recurring pattern in jazz-funk, is used in hundreds of
pieces. The Dorian mode, often accessible for improvisation, maintains the minor tonality
typical with jazz and funk. The chord progression I7|IIm7|IIIm7|IIm7 is frequently used
within doo-wop segments. However, due to the robust nature of vamps, they are often
simplified to I7|IIm7, frequently vamping for around two bars. Slash chords such as IV/V are
also highly utilised, adding complexity and depth to the music.
An example of these techniques within the Jazz-funk style would be Chaka Khans 'Stay',
which utilises a minor tonality through a -v7, -ii7, and -i7 chord transition. This song also
manifests the techniques of motif and repetition through the use of bass riffs and voicings.

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