Other ways to play slapping bass lines

FrettyBassGirl · #1 08-16-2011, 05:55 AM

Apart from whakin the strings with your thumb, what can you do? Thanks.

kdiggity · #2 08-16-2011, 06:10 AM

You can do a 'finger slap' (I don't know if there's a more official name for it), wherein you play in the normal finger style, but instead of strumming up smoothly into the next string, you kinda strum the strings down into the fretboard.

Kind of like taking the tapping method and applying it over the strings of the body (where the pickups are) instead of on the fretboard itself. Does that makes sense?

It gives a semi-slapping sound, and with a bit of practice, it's possible to get a decent funk/slap thing going. It's doesn't sound the same as the traditional thumb slap, mind you, but it can work.

HTH,

-K

kdiggity · #3 08-16-2011, 06:13 AM

Oh geez.. Now I realize that this was in the AAP section.. whoops. sorry.

janekbass · #4 08-17-2011, 03:37 PM

I would youtube "slap bass tutorial" and there are about 20,000,000 videos all about how to play slap bass.

Janek

kdiggity · #5 08-18-2011, 02:40 AM

Oh, c'mon! An actual online search? That would be waaay too difficult!

-K

alec · #6 08-18-2011, 03:02 AM

Also the backwards slap (or "Tasmanian Slap") where you put your thumb under the the string and pull it away from the body until your thumb pops out and you get a similar sound to a regular slap.

Once you get that down, well, the next step will become obvious.

cire113 · #7 08-18-2011, 04:02 AM

Janek I'm curious as to why exactly you dont slap? I'm sure there is a specific reason other than "its not my taste".. I've seen you slap a little bit and you look very very uncomfortable doing it

I'm just wondering... I know you like to play funk music; so im surprised you dont like to play funk slap... Because slapping can be hella funky...

Thanks man

JohnDavisNYC · #8 08-18-2011, 02:34 PM

janek, i challenge you to a slap battle.

john

Jared Lash · #9 08-18-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDavisNYC

janek, i challenge you to a slap battle.

john

Hey now John, don't forget to invite JMJ!

janekbass · #10 08-19-2011, 02:59 AM

John, that might be the dumbest yet most brilliant suggestion I've ever heard...

You're on. It'll be the most pointless musical pursuit either of us have ever encountered. We'll get a film crew together, a guest host or 'referee' if you will... it'll be epic.

As to the slightly more serious question as to why I don't slap in my own music...

Listen to Larry Graham:

Larry Graham - Super Slapping Bass part 1 - YouTube

Listen to Marcus Miller:

Marcus Miller - Live Under The Sky '91 - YouTube

Listen to Victor Wooten:

U can't hold no groove Victor Wooten - YouTube

And then tell me what I'm supposed to do in that style that's original. IMO it's been done to death. It's easy to emulate and people do. Over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Bass playing that excites me involves music that excites me. If you're looking for something original listen to anything that John Davis is a part of. He's one of the most refreshing and original cats out there with ears bigger than any of us, and a concept that not a single bass player on the planet is coming close to. I'm proud to call him my friend and any opportunity to work with him or listen to him play is one I take very seriously.

So please, stop getting so hung up on slap bass. What none of you will probably ever see or hear (unless you happen upon a random record date I was on) is me play slap. It is funky, sure. It is appropriate sometimes too, which is when I play that style. only on recordings, and only when it's appropriate. It's not the go-to thing at the end of every solo I play like 97% of bass players out there cos they ran out of melodic and rhythmic ideas.

Brutal of me? perhaps. I'm not saying don't check out slap bass playing, I actually think it's awesome. Just not played by me live in public or in the context of my own music.

And while I'm rattling off people you should go check out... check out Meshell N'Degeocello... that woman is quite possibly one of the funkiest bass players alive today and plays almost all finger style. And when she does choose, with the upmost taste and class, to pop or thumb a note I think yeah, that's tasty. But she might be the only one who is tasty enough to play that way.

Janek

Jared Lash · #11 08-19-2011, 10:04 AM

When you watch videos of Larry Graham or listen to his work with Sly or Graham Central Station you realize what epic musicality the man has. Yes, he pioneered a new playing style, but it was more about the music he made while using it than the technique itself.

Somewhere along the line that got lost and slapping became a showcase of finger dexterity rather than something that positively benefited a song.

I did a YouTube search for "fast slap solo" and this was the first result:
Fast slap solo - YouTube

The popcorn I put in the microwave had the same level of musicality.

I get where you're coming from Janek - slap is definitely an overused and overpracticed technique relative to it's actual contributions in most genres of music.

But I guess what it comes down to for me is musical ideas and not technique. I could very well ask what there is that is original to do in terms of fingerstyle or pickstyle as well. I'm not saying you should slap and in fact at this point I rarely do either, but that it's simply a technique choice and somewhat separate from the musicality of the bassline being played.

janekbass · #12 08-19-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared Lash

I get where you're coming from Janek - slap is definitely an overused and overpracticed technique relative to it's actual contributions in most genres of music.

But I guess what it comes down to for me is musical ideas and not technique. I could very well ask what there is that is original to do in terms of fingerstyle or pickstyle as well. I'm not saying you should slap and in fact at this point I rarely do either, but that it's simply a technique choice and somewhat separate from the musicality of the bassline being played.

I think you're right about it being an overpracticed and overused technique. And I think there's a simple reason for that, it's by far the easiest way to get a sound out of the instrument. It's like banging on some pots and pans when you're a kid pretending to be a drummer, there is very little finesse involved to actually produce a basic sound from the bass. Playing with your fingers gives you a far great dynamic range in terms of touch, feel, volume, timbre etc etc...

Playing finger style has been a way for me to work on developing something original as far as my voice as an artist goes, but I guess it's just very personal whichever route you choose to go down as a musician.

I'm not saying that you SHOULD or SHOULD'T do one thing or the other, just giving my opinion and letting people know what works for me.

Janek

**peledog** · #13 08-19-2011, 03:02 PM

Slap really, really slowly - it's tougher than you might think, IMO. Say a BPM of 60? So much space and time just sitting there, and you're tempted to fill it up...

cire113 · #14 08-20-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

John, that might be the dumbest yet most brilliant suggestion I've ever heard...

You're on. It'll be the most pointless musical pursuit either of us have ever encountered. We'll get a film crew together, a guest host or 'referee' if you will... it'll be epic.

As to the slightly more serious question as to why I don't slap in my own music...

Listen to Larry Graham:

Larry Graham - Super Slapping Bass part 1 - YouTube

Listen to Marcus Miller:

Marcus Miller - Live Under The Sky '91 - YouTube

Listen to Victor Wooten:

U can't hold no groove Victor Wooten - YouTube

And then tell me what I'm supposed to do in that style that's original. IMO it's been done to death. It's easy to emulate and people do. Over and over and over and over and over and over again.

Bass playing that excites me involves music that excites me. If you're looking for something original listen to anything that John Davis is a part of. He's one of the most refreshing and original cats out there with ears bigger than any of us, and a concept that not a single bass player on the planet is coming close to. I'm proud to call him my friend and any opportunity to work with him or listen to him play is one I take very seriously.

So please, stop getting so hung up on slap bass. What none of you will probably ever see or hear (unless you happen upon a random record date I was on) is me play slap. It is funky, sure. It is appropriate sometimes too, which is when I play that style. only on recordings, and only when it's appropriate. It's not the go-to thing at the end of every solo I play like 97% of bass players out there cos they ran out of melodic and rhythmic ideas.

Brutal of me? perhaps. I'm not saying don't check out slap bass playing, I actually think it's awesome. Just not played by me live in public or in the context of my own music.

And while I'm rattling off people you should go check out... check out Meshell N'Degeocello... that woman is quite possibly one of the funkiest bass players alive today and plays almost all finger style. And when she does choose, with the upmost taste and class, to pop or thumb a note I think yeah, that's tasty. But she might be the only one who is tasty enough to play that way.

Janek

Hmm I cant say i agree with you about slap but thats cool its your opinion and views.. None is right or wrong thats the beauty of it..

But i totally agree with you on; If music doesn't excite you dont play it...

Thanks for taking time to thoroughly explain it; I had always wondered and now i see where your coming from ..

Personally I play for fun and just started slapping; I was totally opposed to slapping until recently when i tried it and man im having a blast with it so far; its SO Much fun!!

I think even if you do imitate the legendary slappers you will definitely have your own unique voice on the instrument just like any other "style" of playing...

Some of the funkiest people slapped some of the funkiest ppl didnt slap hehe

bassyj · #15 08-21-2011, 06:32 AM

Everyone has their own thing... And for 95% of my gigs I don't slap because it would be out of place... But as a working musician it has been used many a night. You don't have to have every Victor lick in the book down, but I'd venture to say it can't hurt to be proficient in the style so you can get through the occasional song where that's the part. If you can get through peg by Steely Dan you'll be doin' just fine.

Stinsok · #16 08-21-2011, 06:49 AM

Check out Amy from "Clatter" videos on youtube. She has a finger slap technique she talks about.

DELACIUS · #17 08-21-2011, 03:34 PM

What is slap bass?

I thing what Janek is trying to say is, just be yourself and make the music sounds right, for yourself and for your listeners
Slap, pop, drool, hit, stomp, lick the strings, whatever just make music that you like.
Or just watch Janeks video lessons, every aspect of music is there.
We are here because of music.

Endy · #18 11-16-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

And while I'm rattling off people you should go check out... check out Meshell N'Degeocello... that woman is quite possibly one of the funkiest bass players alive today and plays almost all finger style. And when she does choose, with the upmost taste and class, to pop or thumb a note I think yeah, that's tasty

Actually it's Jojo who makes her slap

MESHELL NDEGEOCELLO - FUNKY BASS - YouTube

FrettyBassGirl · #19 02-20-2012, 04:31 AM

Janekbass!!! Love your work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

natobasso · #20 03-03-2012, 04:09 PM

Slap the way a drummer plays and you can't go wrong. I find that 90% of the time its just not required for a song to groove. Its a bit like yelling all the time - it looses it's impact after a while.