Help make my leap to learning how to slap less stressful!

[Din Of Win]

So... it all started with... well... a POW!!!!

I've been playing bass a while now. But, i've never been a huge fan of slapping and poping (i blame Seinfeld).

But recently, i happened uppon Mr. Larry Graham... and POW!... it was over. I've been compiling some learning resources and i have a free weekend coming up and, by gosh... i want to wake up on monday and have a general grasp on how to do it!!


Now, while i have my training stuff down i need some pointers on tone stuff...

First: i have a few basses, but i'd like to learn on a bass that will/can give me the best slap tone. Passive-wise (all 4 string), i have 2 Ps, a Bronco and a PJ... Active-wise i have a 5-string Jazz, and a 4-string ATK(think musicman style). I'm guessing the Actives would be a better choice?

Second: How should i EQ everything? I normally go all flat, but i remember hearing somewhere that slapping sounds good with a more scooped EQ?

Third: Any pointers? I have a few general instructional videos, and i would love to get the basic idea of the general riffs in Larry Graham's Pow, and Hair. Anyone else i should check out for a good induction into slap?



Wish me luck!!

(This isn't JUST for fun... i'm trying to get into playing musicals on a more frequent and professional level, so i've been re-upping all my general skills, and trying to learn/get comfortable with the ones that i've passed over for the last 10 years )

[PDGood]

A fellow recommended a book/video called Slap It. Easily found on the internet.

[Dusty89]

Precision basses are notorious for great slap/pop bass playing. They give a full attack, especially when popping. I use mine whenever the mood for slap bass strikes. As for the EQ, boost the mids. I have a mid-notch switch on my bassman 300 all pro which is great for slap/pop bass playing. Hope this helps.

[TOOL460002]

the string spacing on a 4 is going to make it a bit easier on you; less chance of hitting more than one string (when you dont want to). im not really that knowledgeable, but if the atk 4 is like a musicman as you say (tone wise), then i would suggest that. i have been playing eb and pre eb musicmans for 12ish years, and i can vouch for the tone. run clean with slight compresison, no eq, a musicman (stingray) sound is great, but sometimes i use a 10 band eq, and yes, i do scoop the mids a bit.

there are definitely a few approaches, but i slap with my thumb parallel to the strings, right at the end of the neck. that sounds the best to me, and the tension at that point has enough bounce to help you off the string a bit. i dont slap through the strings. its a quick bounce: hard enough to get the thump you want, but pull away as quick as possible.

a lot of problems with slap seem to come from people not bouncing off, and leaving the thumb on there just a bit too long. just like hitting a harmonic, you want just enough to get it to ring through, but light enough so you dont muffle it.

also, you will eventually want to pop with both your index and middle, but for now, just find whichever is stronger/feels better.

[Dusty89]

Yes, for now just find what feels better, the middle or the index finger. You can accomplish a lot with just knowing how to use one of these, trust me. If you want to pursue very aggressive slap/pop playing, like Flea's "Fight like a brave " or "Nobody weird like me," than both fingers will need to be used as fluent as regular finger-licking.