i need to expand my technique... any ideas?

fivaras · #1 07-07-2010, 05:10 PM

I've been slappin for less than a year with my DB. I purchased the book "Rockabilly Slapbass" by Didi Beck and it helped my a lot, but i realised i need to expand my technique. I dont think the book has much to offer me anymore (after all it's an introduction to slappin). I don't need to play very fast since i'm not really into psychobilly i'm more into rockabilly/swing/jazz slappin. Do you have any ideas of what should i do? Should i get another book? If so, which one? Or should i just listen to songs and play along?

N.F.A. · #2 07-07-2010, 05:17 PM

I don't play DB, but have the Lee Rocker slap bass video and thought it was good. I was going to start trying to play upright back when I played in a rockabilly band. Electric had to be good enough.
The problem with learning a lot of old rockabilly stuff is that the bass is so hard to hear. My solution was to run my computer out to some bass cabinets and eq it so I could hear the bass better. Crummy little computer speakers or mini monitors don't get it. Even then it was often a challenge.

zeytoun · #3 07-07-2010, 05:23 PM

Do you practice all 12 scales, with multiple crossings?

ridgeback · #4 07-07-2010, 05:37 PM

check out "the straycats" early stuff..lee rocker is a class rockabilly player,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh4YrEjRA_Q
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ5we...eature=related

just as an example..

N.F.A. · #5 07-07-2010, 05:40 PM

By the way if you need help with a particular rockabilly tune, let me know. I used to know a whole show's worth of them. (Eddie Cochran, Johnny Burnette, Gene Vincent, Ricky Nelson, Carl Perkins, Elvis, etc.)

ridgeback · #6 07-07-2010, 05:48 PM

rockabilly still alive and kicking in the states...

not a huge fan myself but still listen..good friend from back home is a total rockabilly nut.saved for years got a gretch 6120 shipped over from the states(not an easy job back then) has his own band now out giging everywhere and anywhere..good music never dies..

fivaras · #7 07-08-2010, 08:27 AM

Thank you all for the advice. By the way if anyone has any tabs or sheet music that wants to share, i'd love to have them..

kmanley_29649 · #8 07-08-2010, 08:44 AM

Check out some of the videos here. He's got some of the best instructional videos online.

fivaras · #9 07-08-2010, 11:16 AM

yeah he is amazing. I'm gonna focus on practising the drag triplet..

kmanley_29649 · #10 07-08-2010, 12:53 PM

Also, go to Double Bass Chat. It's mostly a bunch of rockabilly players, and they can probably give you some more pointers.