Slapping

[bassnutj]

Janek-
I notice that you don't do any slapping. Was there a concious decision on your part to avoid this technique because you don't like it, or do you do it but just not in your music because you don't feel it belongs there? Also, were Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke any kind of influence on you? If so, could you talk about in what way?
Thanks.

[janekbass]

well I think when I heard the bass being played like that at first it didn't draw me in melodically as much as say Jaco did. I gravitated towards melody and harmony when I first started playing, and it seemed a good deal of slap playing was all in E and was pretty much in the same style. Of course Larry Graham and all these cats had come before marcus, but it was really marcus and victor that were the most prominent exponents of slap bass when I was first starting to play.

I got into marcus as a producer a lot more, and I've learnt many things from listening to records that he's produced. And also listening to bass lines where he plays with his fingers way more than the slap thing. I was never the biggest fan of stanley's electric playing at all. I didn't like the brash sound of the alembic, and the over hitting of the strings. And the fact that he always played that piccolo bass with a keyboard player covering the low end. I loved return to forever with chick, al and lenny. I think some of the upright playing he did was sensational, and it was and still is a huge influence on me.

But getting back to the slapping, it's just not a part of my music. I don't hear it, I don't write for it, and I certainly have no aspirations to play it. I will play in that style if it's required in the studio for someone else's music, but just not for my own.

Easy,

Janek

[Lorenzini]

Originally Posted by janekbass

I will play in that style if it's required in the studio for someone else's music, but just not for my own.

Hey Janek,

This particularly interests me. Do you practice the style at all, or simply know just enough to fill what's needed and wanted?
I also don't slap very much either but in smooth jazz circles around here it can be somewhat of a benchmark.

Thanks -

[JKT]

Originally Posted by janekbass

I was never the biggest fan of stanley's electric playing at all. I didn't like the brash sound of the alembic, and the over hitting of the strings. And the fact that he always played that piccolo bass with a keyboard player covering the low end.

Wow, and all these years I thought there was something wrong with ME! I remember being a young lad and hearing Stanley's Alembic for the first time and not liking it at all. Still not crazy about that sound. Dig the playing though. Same with Billy Sheehan. Appreciate the technique- hate the sound.

JKT

[Bernie Connors]

Originally Posted by janekbass

well I think when I heard the bass being played like that at first it didn't draw me in melodically as much as say Jaco did. I gravitated towards melody and harmony when I first started playing, and it seemed a good deal of slap playing was all in E and was pretty much in the same style. Of course Larry Graham and all these cats had come before marcus, but it was really marcus and victor that were the most prominent exponents of slap bass when I was first starting to play.

I got into marcus as a producer a lot more, and I've learnt many things from listening to records that he's produced. And also listening to bass lines where he plays with his fingers way more than the slap thing. I was never the biggest fan of stanley's electric playing at all. I didn't like the brash sound of the alembic, and the over hitting of the strings. And the fact that he always played that piccolo bass with a keyboard player covering the low end. I loved return to forever with chick, al and lenny. I think some of the upright playing he did was sensational, and it was and still is a huge influence on me.

But getting back to the slapping, it's just not a part of my music. I don't hear it, I don't write for it, and I certainly have no aspirations to play it. I will play in that style if it's required in the studio for someone else's music, but just not for my own.

Easy,

Janek

I couldn't agree more, Janek. I too appreciate a more melodic approach and I think most slap players really get away from that.

I don't get in to slap and when I hear someone use it in a solo, it just makes me cringe. I don't think it serves the music at all.

[bassnutj]

I'm not a big slap guy either, especially when it's the rock/rap kind of crap. However, I do love Marcus and to me he just owns that style.
I can't say that I would be into hearing it, even from him, for 2 hours straight, but I dig it on a few tunes, and then when he picks up his fretless, I think his real musical side comes out. I actually dig his fretless playing more than his slapping, although he doesn't do alot of it.
I'm not a fan of Stanley's upright tone, but I do respect the insane technique he has on it. There was a time I loved his electric sound, but it does seem a little dated now. I will still listen to some things on ocassion and enjoy them. I actually think some of Stanley's best electric playing was with the rock band Animal Logic.
And yeah, I can't stand when "bass players" play piccolo and have the keys play the bass lines.

[Basseroni]

Wow, I thought I was alone on the Stanley thing as well. Don't get me wrong, I love his electric playing but I like his upright playing more. I also DESPISE the Alembic sound as well as the Alembic look.

As far as the slap thing, when I hear a slap bass solo with no melodic merit I tune it out but a slap solo can be melodic. Just listen to Marcus.

[Sorax]

Originally Posted by bassnutj

I actually dig his fretless playing more than his slapping, although he doesn't do alot of it.

Absolutely. There's a great vid on youtube of Marcus playing "Mr. Pastorius" with Miles and Kenny Garrett, the fretless playing is killer.

I really dig Stanley's upright playing, the bass solo on the Return to Forever cut "Sea Journey" is really beautiful.

[janekbass]

I completely agree with the fretless thing too. I've always loved the was marcus phrases on that instrument and I wish he would do more of it. His melodic ability is just incredible.

Easy,

Janek

[just_me]

and guess what kind of bass he plays on that video...
the drummer looks like michel petrucciani
(no offense here, I'm just tired and have a good lough)