Getting better at slap but still have two issues...

Fassa Albrecht · #1 10-30-2011, 10:24 AM

OK, I'm now decent at slap-bass to the point where I'm decently comfortable with playing something like Level 42's Running In The Family (actually the first slap song I can play all the way through). But I'm still having a few issues:

- I'm still really struggling with muted notes. Prime example of this is the pattern of two open strings and then a mute note in the intro to Love Games. I know I'm supposed to lightly touch the strings with the fingers of the left hand but all that seems to do when I do it it produces a horrible thudding noise.

- My speed seems to really be really inconsistent right now. I can play some quite fast songs no bother, but others at the same tempo or ever slower throw me for no apparent reason.

Anyone got any ideas on what to do? With regards to the muting issue, I've done everything from watching old Leve 42 live clips to reading book after book. Nothing seems to work.

Joe Nerve · #2 10-30-2011, 10:30 AM

Playing slowly with a metronome makes you faster. Trust me. Just gotta keep doing it.

And every now and then play a speed game with yourself. Go as fast as you can go with the metronome where you're dead on tight with every click. Play like that for 5 minutes straight. Take a 2 minute break. Then up it notch. If you start flubbing, go back 2 notches (1 below what you were tight with before). Repeat. Rest. Go up a notch. Rest. Repeat. And so on and so forth.

I did that with the part in my vid below. Went super super slow, literally like 50 bpm to be able to sing and play it at the same time. Doesn't happen overnight. But happens quickly if you commit to it and put some time in.

randysmojo · #3 10-30-2011, 10:41 AM

Very good info, Joe. A metronome is a great tool especially for working on bettering ones technique.

Fassa Albrecht · #4 10-30-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randysmojo

Very good info, Joe. A metronome is a great tool especially for working on bettering ones technique.

The thing is that I can't work out WHY I'm so inconsistant in my speed. it doesn't make any sense that I can play one song at 130bpm and yet I struggle with another at 100bpm for no real reason.

Joe Nerve · #5 10-30-2011, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

it doesn't make any sense that I can play one song at 130bpm and yet I struggle with another at 100bpm for no real reason.

It makes perfect sense. Different rhythems, different basslines, different feel. Take the ones you can't play at 130. Practice them at 90 for a day or 2 and see what happens.

Fassa Albrecht · #6 10-30-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

It makes perfect sense. Different rhythems, different basslines, different feel. Take the ones you can't play at 130. Practice them at 90 for a day or 2 and see what happens.

With slap there's a lot of involvement with both hands technique-wise. Could be something to do with this....

Either way, makes sense to do as you say.

sawzalot · #7 11-03-2011, 01:08 PM

Check out the book "Slap It!" by Tony Oppenheim--it's a great book for getting the fundamentals of slap playing down. When I used it it still came with a little plastic record, but now I think it comes with a CD...shows my age. There are a lot of little weird things that go into the technique.

A metronome or drum machine is invaluable, too--sometimes just spending 30 minutes working out with a drum machine is better than 4 hours of regular playing for ironing out inconsistencies in technique, tempo, etc.

The other thing is lessons--there's nothing wrong with seeing a teacher just to work on specific techniques that you want to master or particular problems you are having. 30 minutes with a teacher, focused on a particular topic, is worth every penny.

Good Luck!

Tom

finfrocka · #8 11-05-2011, 04:09 PM

Try looking up the song lacquer head by Primus. That song uses the left hand muted notes your talking about almost the whole verse. Its fairly simple and could help you work on your time as well.

Marty Forrer · #9 11-05-2011, 04:27 PM

Set your metronome to the speed you can play a piece at with out any flubs. When you can play a piece three times through without any mistakes, up the temp one or two notches. Play through three times with no mistakes, up the tempo another notch or two. You will probably need to set the metronome right down at very slow setting, and DO NOT increase the tempo until you can honestly play three times through with no flubs.
Remember the old saying.... an amateur practices something until he can play it.... a professional practices it until he can not play it wrong.