Funk primarily uses dominant 7th or minor harmonies. The rhythm is the essential thing - and how the guitar sits with the groove. A strong 16th note feel is the classic funk groove, but sometimes it is far simpler. Jimmy Nolan on 'I Feel Good' simply played a 9th chord after the horn riff. It was just a stab, then cut off. Nothing simpler than that. In my opinion, the bass is really the primary instrument in funk - the drums can play very simple straight rock, the guitar can play very simple grooves, yet the bass seems to be what everything hangs off.
Why not post some examples of your funk playing so we can hear what you are doing?
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