The Gospel according to Mr.Larry Graham...

77 StingRayBass · #1 02-16-2013, 07:21 PM

His words...his technique.

Premier Guitar-"Over all these years, you've steadfastly stuck to calling your revolutionary technique “thumpin’ and pluckin'.” Let's talk about why you like to make that distinction."
Larry Graham "Well, it really is thumpin’ and pluckin'! You can give it another name, but it's still thumpin' and pluckin.’ When you hit the string with the side of your thumb, you're thumpin' it more than slapping it, and when you're poppin’ that G string, like I do on “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” you're really pluckin’ it. Y'know, for people who aren't musicians, I can understand why they don't understand that—and they can call it anything they want, as long as they're referring to the same technique. I'm sure that in the future, some new names will get added—I've heard “pop bass,” and “chopper bass,” which is what some people call it in Japan. There's a whole list of names, depending on where you live, but when you see and hear it, it's all the same thing"

Sho ya' right!

sammyp · #2 02-17-2013, 08:50 AM

He came up with it! He gets to name it! I think thumpin and pluckin is way cooler than slap n pop lol!

Tupac · #3 02-17-2013, 09:03 AM

I've always hated it when people called it "thumping" instead of slapping. It just sounds so... lame.

DWBass · #4 02-17-2013, 09:15 AM

Back in the day (when I started playing in the early 70's), it was called 'Thumpin'! I can't recall when folks started calling it 'slap' bass. But really? Thumpin' is lame? How old are you?

77 StingRayBass · #5 02-17-2013, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Back in the day (when I started playing in the early 70's), it was called 'Thumpin'! I can't recall when folks started calling it 'slap' bass. But really? Thumpin' is lame? How old are you?

Órale Mi Hermano DW!
It is and will ALWAY'S be "Thumpin'" to the "O.G.'s!"

SurferJoe46 · #6 02-19-2013, 03:53 PM

Truth be told - 'slapping' as I see it is reserved for the upright bass and has no true application in a bass one wears around one's neck.

Basshappi · #7 02-19-2013, 04:10 PM

Yep, that's what I've always called it and "slap" bass was a technique upright players used.

**mjac28** · #8 02-19-2013, 04:14 PM

I like thumping and I love Mr Larry.

doppelganger · #9 02-20-2013, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 77 StingRayBass

Órale Mi Hermano DW!
It is and will ALWAY'S be "Thumpin'" to the "O.G.'s!"

Larry created it, Louis Johnson and a host of others added to it, but it was ALWAYS thumpin...

77 StingRayBass · #10 02-20-2013, 09:19 PM

Agreed doppleganger!
And, you SLAP the upright!

Schmorgy · #11 02-20-2013, 09:23 PM

If anything, I'd consider this to be a proper use of the term "slap bass" taken literally.

Brad Johnson · #12 02-20-2013, 09:55 PM

He called it thumpin', that's what it was. Can't recall slapping anything with the side of my thumb. I've seen Abe Laboriel slap electric, otherwise most people don't.

JimmyM · #13 02-21-2013, 01:07 AM

Dangnab it, I'm only going to refer to it as "thumpin'" from now on.

Thumpa da bass!!!

sammyp · #14 02-21-2013, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doppelganger

Larry created it, Louis Johnson and a host of others added to it, but it was ALWAYS thumpin...

actually that old star licks vid buy Louis is prolly better described as Jack Hammerin' LOL

heb9_28 · #15 02-21-2013, 07:17 AM

If Larry says it, it's gotta be true!

Roy Vogt · #16 02-21-2013, 07:24 AM

I defer to the guy who invented it and the Once and Future Jedi Master Mr. Graham.
Thump on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqXbIXfmH3g

phillybass101 · #17 02-21-2013, 07:42 AM

Larry Graham and the Bootsy that played with James Brown changed my life forever!!!! I still get chills when I hear Can You Handle It, and Hair and....James Brown Give it up or turn it loose (The Jungle Remix). If I could only have those three songs, I could survive.

DWBass · #18 02-21-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillybass101

Larry Graham and the Bootsy that played with James Brown changed my life forever!!!! I still get chills when I hear Can You Handle It, and Hair and....James Brown Give it up or turn it loose (The Jungle Remix). If I could only have those three songs, I could survive.

https://vimeo.com/39804575

I'm playing it wrong but you get my drift!

phillybass101 · #19 02-21-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

https://vimeo.com/39804575

I'm playing it wrong but you get my drift!

DW I'll check this out later tonight. Can't access from work :-) Hey if you're on FB let me know I'm on under Walt.Finnerty. Holla!!!

phillybass101 · #20 02-22-2013, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

https://vimeo.com/39804575

I'm playing it wrong but you get my drift!

DW man you did a great job with that. You play it better than I do and that P-Bass sounded awesome. Your version will certainly fly. I have trouble keeping my thumb going. Larry does some strange stuff in that song. One of my favorite songs of all time, even when I had HAIR!!!!!!