hello everyone! i have a question about slapping. after i start doing it for a few notes all of the other strings start vibrating and making noises and i cant even hear what im trying to play. will it become better in time or am i doing something horribly wrong or is it something with my bass? any advice would be appreciated

Moo--
You probably just need to clean up your muting technique. I mute the strings lower(in pitch) than the one I'm playing with my plucking hand and I mute the strings higher(in pitch) than the one I'm playing with the fretting hand.

Chris A. http://www.talkbass.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif

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"I have all my own teeth!"--Jenn Scott Poulin

Slapping like a vibrating monkey sounds to me like a _good_ thing.

Two days ago I saw Canned Heat in concert. In case you don't know about them, they played at Woodstock & originated "White Blues".

I watched real close and there wasn't a single slap by either bass player in the whole concert. There was a lot of good finger technique.

Slapping, for the most part, is like farting in public, it draws a lot of attention and usually stinks.

you slapped a vibrating monkey? as long as you don't spank it too. ouch.

try practicing your slapping in reverse. Slap and pop muted or ghost notes and add real notes as you go along. remember to keep everything properly muted, and play in time to keep your skills up.

Originally posted by nanook
Two days ago I saw Canned Heat in concert. In case you don't know about them, they played at Woodstock & originated "White Blues".

I watched real close and there wasn't a single slap by either bass player in the whole concert. There was a lot of good finger technique.

Slapping, for the most part, is like farting in public, it draws a lot of attention and usually stinks.

Nanook, that last sentence is great. Is that an old saying that you just made up?

Slapping is like a hammer, you can't use it to screw in a light bulb or cut a pizza but when a nail needs some driving...look out.

Well said Scottzo!