Anyone like to slap, but NOT pop?

topo morto · #1 12-29-2011, 07:44 PM

As a way of easing myself into slap technique I've been playing some old band tunes that I used to play fingerstyle, just slapping them with the thumb.

It seems to work fine as a technique it its own right... anyone else do this?

Darkstrike · #2 12-29-2011, 07:49 PM

I often play a song where I throw in the odd thumbslap, if I want a gritty grindy sound, works well.

JimmyM · #3 12-29-2011, 09:51 PM

Back in the day, I used to go see Beaver Felton play in this prog rock band called Hoochie. Beaver did a lot of thumb slapping. He also did a lot of popping, but he did quite a bit of thumb without popping as well. Really weird at first to hear that in a band that played Yes, Kansas, and ELP type stuff, but somehow Beaver was able to pull it off.

Tampabass · #4 12-29-2011, 09:59 PM

Beaver's the man. I'm not surprised.

sammyp · #5 12-30-2011, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topo morto

As a way of easing myself into slap technique I've been playing some old band tunes that I used to play fingerstyle, just slapping them with the thumb.

It seems to work fine as a technique it its own right... anyone else do this?

well ....i learned both together but your method will cetainly stengthen the thumb ...and my thumb is weak on doubles so ....

topo morto · #6 12-30-2011, 05:23 AM

TBH I've been kind of slow gettting into slapping as I have a bit of a love-hate thing with the slapping and popping sound.... pops are such a strong accent that they can unbalance the groove... they're good for a big high in the chorus though. Slapping on the other hand is great for all sorts, not just funk...

musicman7722 · #7 12-30-2011, 05:38 AM

I can't slap or pull to save my life. In fact my sound person has forbid me to do so

I do use a thumb slap on one small bit (the bass break in Brown Eyed Girl) and he says it works there but nothing else. I'm not really up on the proper way to describe these techiques though. And for me only I don't like how it sounds anyway but that is just me and I'm a grizzled old man of 58.

john grey · #8 12-30-2011, 11:36 AM

[I'm another grizzled old man and] I have noticed that unless one is quite conscious of it and has NEW strings, the volume balance is a genuine issue to address. If many people loose consciousness of popping being louder and work to balance them; it VERY common for the needle to climb (from a pop) even when the effort appears similar in both instances. I believe that may occur because the pop allows the string to dive much closer to the pup than the thumb as the string simply doesn't travel as far. That pop will always be more present for many factors and takes some concentration to even them out. An even volume balance is not all that easy to achieve.

I noticed this with greater intensity when strings and not brand new. The E or A become much more subdued. I actually like to slap (I don't think I'm all that marvelous at it) but I have known that listening to a recording, one can clearly hear that to keep them close to similar intensity takes a bit of conscious effort. I believe this is simply a physical issue of vibration space in the hand's movement and string diameter. It can be a challenge.

natw42 · #9 12-30-2011, 11:47 AM

I agree with John Grey - you really have to be conscious of your technique so the pops don't overwhelm the slaps. Or use a compressor to tame the spikes. I personally don't like a lot of 'squish' in my sound so I eschew that.

To the OP: Personally, I like the sound of just using my thumb w/no pops, depending on the vibe I'm going for. I find it works better on the E A & D strings, and notsomuch as good on the G. YMMV depending on the bass and strings you use.

topo morto · #10 12-30-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natw42

I find it works better on the E A & D strings, and notsomuch as good on the G.

My main axe is a BEAD P, which may be why I'm enjoying it! I'm finding it works even on my fretless 5 though... kinda... you really have to get the thumb action right.

natw42 · #11 12-30-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topo morto

My main axe is a BEAD P, which may be why I'm enjoying it! I'm finding it works even on my fretless 5 though... kinda... you really have to get the thumb action right.

BEAD would work like a charm.

I should have also added that it depends on your slapping style/technique. Doing the victor wooten thing where you play "thru" the string (i.e. the down stroke when double thumping) with your thumb works well on all strings I've found. Although this for me isn't going to get that old school slap tone, which is why I would slap sans popping.

Doing the conventional "bounce" kinda sounds weak on the G string to me. If I used heavier gauge strings it might be better, but I use it so infrequently it's not an issue.

conqr · #12 12-30-2011, 01:02 PM

Couple things I've noticed. First, the pop can be tamed with just technique - you can do anything from a ghost note to full on amp killing pop with practice. The key is relaxing that popping finger and not 'hooking' the string so much. Second, you can mimic the pop to great effect by not actually popping per se, but actually also slapping the octave with the thumb. It's more hand movement since you have to cross strings to get the thumb down there, but if you just want an occasional pop it sounds great (kinda scooped) and also solves the volume problem.

Like anything, practice makes perfect - slap/pop becomes very controllable and effortless with time.

hernameisrio · #13 12-30-2011, 04:45 PM

I'm just starting to get really into slapping and popping and am definitely in that "show-off" phase where I throw it in everywhere just for fun. I'm sure it'll pass in a few months.

But yeah, I do the same thing, mostly just in the context of practicing proper technique; i.e. going from slap to finger-picking and back. It does give a pretty cool tone when used sparingly, too.

natw42 · #14 12-30-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conqr

Couple things I've noticed. First, the pop can be tamed with just technique - you can do anything from a ghost note to full on amp killing pop with practice. The key is relaxing that popping finger and not 'hooking' the string so much. Second, you can mimic the pop to great effect by not actually popping per se, but actually also slapping the octave with the thumb. It's more hand movement since you have to cross strings to get the thumb down there, but if you just want an occasional pop it sounds great (kinda scooped) and also solves the volume problem.

Like anything, practice makes perfect - slap/pop becomes very controllable and effortless with time.

So true. I barely snag the string with the corner of my finger tip. Just enough to make it bounce off of the frets.

Skitch it! · #15 12-30-2011, 06:15 PM

Stick to the thumb/double thumb, sometimes but more of a picking technique if I can cool it down enough.

Tom Jenkinson aka Squarepusher uses the thumb in a different style, this clip is sort of in-between slapping and picking. He is using the other digits for chords but a lot of runs are on the thumb. That co-ordination is v.difficult imo/ime.

Squarepusher in session guardian.co.uk - YouTube