Tastefully done slap video. Not wanking for a change.

Hookus · #1 02-17-2008, 10:29 AM

Well, after getting tired of all the ferocious slap videos out there, I thought I would post a video of some very well done old school slap. This guy is real tight, and it is very tastefully done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj4dvCFz440

UncleBalsamic · #2 02-17-2008, 10:44 AM

That's cool video thanks. Great song too.

Hookus · #3 02-17-2008, 11:14 AM

Yup, cool song, there is so much room for improvisation in it for bass.

Audiophage · #4 02-17-2008, 12:01 PM

Woah, what's up with that string tension?

Slick playing though.

Sterling_Bass · #5 02-17-2008, 12:47 PM

That was a great video. I loved your tone. What were you running your Jazz through?

Hookus · #6 02-17-2008, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sterling_Bass

That was a great video. I loved your tone. What were you running your Jazz through?

That is not me, just some guy. He has several videos, all of them cover a very diverse tone range.

Sterling_Bass · #7 02-17-2008, 01:01 PM

Thanks for clearing that up.

Chad Michael · #8 02-17-2008, 02:12 PM

Used to love playing that one live...

I played the chorus almost identical to the clip, but the verse I played in a laid back finger style. On my Pedulla Thunderbass... soundwise, think cross between Fender Jazz and MM Stingray.

Close your eyes and go (groove).

Valerus · #9 02-17-2008, 04:02 PM

Nice video!

Ubersheist · #10 01-13-2009, 10:12 AM

While searching for something else, I came across this thread and this video.

Now, it's not like I'm a great player, but you know what they say about those who can't and those who can't teach....

The first person that came to mind for truely tasteful slapping was Meshell Ndegeocello. In this video, she starts out hitting the strings about as hard as that guy above, but then really mellows things out quickly when everyone else comes in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE3Y380Nv8Y

It seems like everyone (myself included) overplays funk. Here's a good example of how to play funk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JfHVywAkKI Meshell and her band are ALL underplaying and all tastefully playing. The end result is funky as all hell.

Also, if you go back to the original recording, that original bass line is reeled in one or two notches back from the intensity that the "tastefully done" slap video.

Check 'em out back to back:

Original Commodores: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5EmnQp3V48
"Tastefully done" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj4dvCFz440

I think it's obvious how much funkier the original is, and how even the "tastefully done" video is overplayed (if you kind of separate out the bass that's a bit too loud for the mix). Mind you, I don't think it's way overplayed, but just a tad.

Thoughts anyone?

Ubersheist · #11 01-13-2009, 10:35 AM

For your consideration, here's another tasteful slap video where the guy (TB's Lex) is playing very tastefully in my opinion. While it's a very busy bass line, it's tasteful, and not competing with the vocals or anything else. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEPnmktAfpI

Jumbotron · #12 01-13-2009, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

Also, if you go back to the original recording, that original bass line is reeled in one or two notches back from the intensity that the "tastefully done" slap video.

Check 'em out back to back:

Original Commodores: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5EmnQp3V48
"Tastefully done" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kj4dvCFz440

I think it's obvious how much funkier the original is, and how even the "tastefully done" video is overplayed (if you kind of separate out the bass that's a bit too loud for the mix). Mind you, I don't think it's way overplayed, but just a tad.

Thoughts anyone?

You nailed it.
By the way, am I the only one who didn't know that Lionel Ritchie also plays sax?

Baryonyx · #13 01-13-2009, 01:47 PM

Nothing wrong with a bit of flash though when the player is good at it!

Ubersheist · #14 01-13-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jumbotron

You nailed it.

Actually, I think Lex did!

Jared Lash · #15 01-13-2009, 03:58 PM

Here's my problem with the incredibly fast slap bass stuff - it doesn't groove. Here's a Mark King solo. Now i'm not criticizing him for the solo at the beginning. If you want a chance to show off during your show, do it.

But look at the crowd. You know what I noticed about them? They are motionless, sitting as if they are watching a film. Not even any head bobbing going on. I'm not saying they aren't enjoying it. And if you dig technically impressive playing, fine by mean. But there's no emotion to it for me. Not funky, not soulful, not angry or melancholy. Nothing.

The other thing I've noticed from bassplayers I've met personally that strive to play like Wooten, King, Claypool etc is that they often haven't learned how to interact with a drummer or how to fit into a band context. That's why I'm always impressed with Zender's lines. Incredible groove, technically impressive AND he serves the song.

But in general, it is hard to have a slap line that serves the song because it I agree that it is so easy to go overboard with it. That's why to this day no one has topped Larry Graham for me as far as slap bass players.

WJGreer · #16 01-13-2009, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBigO

You know what I noticed about them? They are motionless, sitting as if they are watching a film. Not even any head bobbing going on.

Yeah, well, it's England.

So, on the Brick House video - I like all the other videos you get to watch from the "suggestions" on the right side. Sort of like a greatest hits of slap bass sitcom themes from '70s and '80s, all played by headless teenagers in their pajamas.

Jared Lash · #17 01-13-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

I like all the other videos you get to watch from the "suggestions" on the right side. Sort of like a greatest hits of slap bass sitcom themes from '70s and '80s, all played by headless teenagers in their pajamas.

That might be the oddest fetish I've ever heard.

JazzyLambert · #18 01-13-2009, 05:25 PM

i'm off to learn it right now

me at 14--- when ur allowed to wank as much as u like

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=kN9DTrLaqVU

soong · #19 01-13-2009, 07:52 PM

commented!

(im happyslappysoong)

DWBass · #20 01-13-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

I think it's obvious how much funkier the original is, and how even the "tastefully done" video is overplayed (if you kind of separate out the bass that's a bit too loud for the mix). Mind you, I don't think it's way overplayed, but just a tad.

Thoughts anyone?

I was just about to post that he started out ok and then just butchered it! One must resist the urge to overplay and lose the groove! The groove is all that matters!