slap bass

[beattie]

Hey, I have recently started to play a lot of slap bass, getting into a more funky style, but have found my slapping forearm seizes up really quickly and stops me from playing. Do you think this is a problem with technique or with my arm? Any suggestions would be great. thanks, beattie

[janekbass]

well you're asking a guy who really doesn't play slap bass as part of my own music, so it ends up not being played at all hardly.

I would say that if you have only just started playing slap bass, it's more a problem (not that I would really want to use that word) with your technique. I don't want to call it a problem, as you have only just started. it's just a case of stregnthening those muscles used for slapping that you might not have used extensively before.

I would suggest finding someone in your area who you respect as a player, and who is a good slap bass player, and taking some basic lessons on the technique.

There are also many books talking about and teaching slap technique that you can find at any good music store.

Go slow, don't overdo it, and let the technique come to you through practice.

Easy,

Janek