Alexis Sklarevski Slap Bass video question: Thumb/pluck on same string

DLM · #1 02-23-2006, 04:44 PM

On Alex Sklarevski's Slap Bass video, he demonstrates the technique of slapping with the thumb and plucking with the index finger on the same string. He equates this to a type of "picking" action that can be very useful when pedaling specific notes.

Although he demonstrates this technique from a pure practice standpoint, he doesn't show any examples of how this technique can be useful in a musical context.

Can any of you suggest ways in using this technique in a musical fashion? Thanks.

Tony Oppenheim · #2 02-24-2006, 01:51 AM

I'm not sure it's exactly the same technique, but what you're describing sounds like a technique that could be used to play melodic figures with notes on the same string.

More like what you might expect someone to do in finger style playing or with a pick.

It would allow you to play a melodic figure, but with the attack of slap style.

I'm not sure if Alex had that in mind at the time, but more recently players like Victor Wooten are using a similar technique this way.

Tony

mullane.david · #3 02-26-2006, 01:59 AM

I have been looking into Slap bass techniques and am having a bit of problems, I really need a complete techniques layout video and picture, can you help?

Tony Oppenheim · #4 02-26-2006, 02:18 AM

The video mentioned in this thread might be a good start.

It's for sale at BassBooks.com

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=330

They have a ton of Slap Bass material listed on this page:

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/sh...d=157&cat=SLAP

There are a few DVD videos on that page, but I've never actually seen any of them. Perhaps someone who has will chime in...

I don't work for BassBooks.com, but they do sell my book there as well.

mullane.david · #5 02-26-2006, 02:42 AM

Yeah thanks, if it wouldn't be to much trouble could you checkout www.cyberschoolofbass.com? its a site run by Bunny Brunell (he wrote slap bass essentials and some other books) could you check out the slap bass lessons/videos and elaborate. Sorry for asking so much but im really stuck.

Tony Oppenheim · #6 02-26-2006, 03:30 AM

I never noticed this site before. There seem to be quite a few lessons there on a variety of subjects including 2 brief lessons on slap.

I'm not sure what you're asking me to do. If you're looking for more detailed Slap lessons you might want to find a teacher in your area. Are you studying bass with a teacher?

As far as my concept of slap bass playing, that's pretty much laid out in my book Slap It!, but as of this moment I've never created a video detailing my technique (which is slightly different than some others out there). I hope to do this as part of a new web site I'm working on these days. We'll see...

Cheers!

Tony

mullane.david · #7 02-26-2006, 03:47 AM

thats great, good luck. No i dont get lessons and i know i should. The slap method i have learned from others is a hit the string directly from above and then recoil, thus moving the string. In those lessons it suggests that you hit the string on an angle and then continue through and finish on the next string, can you elaborate?

**Pacman** · #8 02-26-2006, 09:50 AM

I've always thought that was the kind of the Alain Caron was doing with his slapping. Might be worth checking him out - even if he's not doing exactly that, it will give you a fair approximation of his sound.

DLM · #9 02-28-2006, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMASH

I'm not sure if it's musical really, but this video illustrates the technique and might shed some light : Victor Wooten double thump lesson on video.google

Thanks, SMASH.

I'm aware of this video, and although Wooten's technique is different than Sklarevski's, it pretty much gets the same result.

My problem is that I don't know how to make this musical in a funky way. Any ideas?