Slap Improv Video

[geoffkhan]

Here's a short little video clip of me messing around:

http://herculeaneffort.adventuredeve...BassImprov.WMV

Maybe there are a few little slap tricks in there you can pick up. I'm holding the bass in a sort of awkward position so that the camera has a reasonable view of both hands.

[BillytheBassist]

Nice clip... thanks for posting

[doormatt]

nice, smooth playin. You have the same warwick case as me!

please check out mine. O.M.F.G.- The Big Bang

[Twistad]

That was pretty cool, very fluid technique.

[geoffkhan]

Originally Posted by doormatt

nice, smooth playin. You have the same warwick case as me!

please check out mine. O.M.F.G.- The Big Bang

Warwick case? Oh wow, I never realised that before, here it says Warwick at the bottom of the case.

My bass is just one of those el cheapo Squier P-Basses. I put in active EMG pickups which made it sound billions times better, in combination with the great Elixir strings. But I'd trade it for that J-Bass slap sound any day.

I love your bass + turntables thing by the way. If you're into that bass duo sort of thing, check out Toast Machine (www.toastmachine.com) which is bass and drums.

[Wrong Robot]

putting the bass away at the end is classy. I won't say anything about the playing, since I don't think it was really meant to be taken all that critically, looks like you were just having some fun.

[geoffkhan]

Originally Posted by Wrong Robot

putting the bass away at the end is classy. I won't say anything about the playing, since I don't think it was really meant to be taken all that critically, looks like you were just having some fun.

Yeah, I know I wasn't really playing in any fixed meter, just sort of doodling some slap riffs. My rhythm wasn't fantastic, either.

However, if you have critiques, they'd be most welcome!

[Wrong Robot]

Well, that was really it. It didn't sound like you were grooving, or intent to groove. More like "here's a little doodle I've got, and here's another one" Some of them were executed better than others, some of them were more interesting than others(imo). All in all, nothing really, since it's fun to doodle around.

[Frostytoaster2]

woa, nice vid man, how long have you been playing?
everyone on this forum seems to be better than me, lol, slap amazes me all the time simply becuase i cant do it.

[geoffkhan]

Originally Posted by Wrong Robot

Well, that was really it. It didn't sound like you were grooving, or intent to groove. More like "here's a little doodle I've got, and here's another one" Some of them were executed better than others, some of them were more interesting than others(imo). All in all, nothing really, since it's fun to doodle around.

Yes! Just sort a slap trick show off. None of the riffs were preplanned (hence 'improv'), and I wasn't really trying to groove, but even if I was my grooving probably wouldn't be all that great. I got a bad start in bass because I was just trying to play bass solos rather than getting a good foundation in playing in the pocket. So if I could give any advice to people starting out on bass it'd be to play basslines, and to play with the same rhythmic presence and focus as a good drummer has. I didn't realize how important to an ensemble the rhythmic aspect of bass is until farther into my bass studies.

However, I've only been playing bass for no more than 4 years, so I think there is still time to woodshed and grow.

@ Frostytoaster2: Don't get me wrong, slap is definitely cool, but don't spend all your time doing it. I started playing bass because of slap bass, but I found that learning to play fingered bass really well was more useful because it fit into many more musical contexts easier than slapping. Lately I've been more attracted to that nasal Jaco fingerstyle bass more than slap, but my bass tone is a bit limited in that department.

Any suggestions for my next bass? Something in the $450-700 range would be a good improvement. And definitely a J-Bass, something that I can turn the bridge pickup up on.

I played on a Lakland (or at least I think it was, I forgot to check) at the local music store that was so amazing to play on. Everything I played sounded better. But Laklands are beyond my budget.

[BillytheBassist]

Originally Posted by geoffkhan

I've only been playing bass for no more than 4 years,

I'd say your off to a great start...Keep it up!

[doormatt]

Hey thanks for that link, Toast Machine kicks some major ass!

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by geoffkhan

Yes! Just sort a slap trick show off. None of the riffs were preplanned (hence 'improv'), and I wasn't really trying to groove, but even if I was my grooving probably wouldn't be all that great. I got a bad start in bass because I was just trying to play bass solos rather than getting a good foundation in playing in the pocket. So if I could give any advice to people starting out on bass it'd be to play basslines, and to play with the same rhythmic presence and focus as a good drummer has. I didn't realize how important to an ensemble the rhythmic aspect of bass is until farther into my bass studies.

However, I've only been playing bass for no more than 4 years, so I think there is still time to woodshed and grow.

@ Frostytoaster2: Don't get me wrong, slap is definitely cool, but don't spend all your time doing it. I started playing bass because of slap bass, but I found that learning to play fingered bass really well was more useful because it fit into many more musical contexts easier than slapping. Lately I've been more attracted to that nasal Jaco fingerstyle bass more than slap, but my bass tone is a bit limited in that department.

Any suggestions for my next bass? Something in the $450-700 range would be a good improvement. And definitely a J-Bass, something that I can turn the bridge pickup up on.

I played on a Lakland (or at least I think it was, I forgot to check) at the local music store that was so amazing to play on. Everything I played sounded better. But Laklands are beyond my budget.

skyline?
maybe used?

[Bardolph]

I normally don't care much for the sound of a P bass slapped, but you've got a nice chunky sound there.