Help with slapping

Simo98 · #1 06-29-2009, 03:24 AM

Hey guys,

Probably a stupid question with a simple answer, but i just cant work it out

ive had a look around the forums and watched a heap of tutorials, but i still cant get that good slapping sound.

i tend to knock the string into the fretboard and it makes a dull thudding noise, even if i get my thumb back off instantly, if i hit it lighter it doesn't hit the frets, but it doesn't make much of a noise.

in all of the tutorials i have watched i cant figure out if the string is sposed to hit the fret board or not, im guessing not. when i dont hit the frets it barely makes any noise, i though this might be a problem with my amp or something (im using a guitar amp), but its probably just me doing something wrong.

can anyone help me with this?

Thanks
-Simon

dezspet · #2 06-29-2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simo98

Hey guys,

Probably a stupid question with a simple answer, but i just cant work it out

ive had a look around the forums and watched a heap of tutorials, but i still cant get that good slapping sound.

i tend to knock the string into the fretboard and it makes a dull thudding noise, even if i get my thumb back off instantly, if i hit it lighter it doesn't hit the frets, but it doesn't make much of a noise.

in all of the tutorials i have watched i cant figure out if the string is sposed to hit the fret board or not, im guessing not. when i dont hit the frets it barely makes any noise, i though this might be a problem with my amp or something (im using a guitar amp), but its probably just me doing something wrong.

can anyone help me with this?

Thanks
-Simon

Hi Simon,
I'm not a slap-king, but I am slapping regularly in my funky band.
First at all: it takes time to have that full sound, so don't worry.
You have to hit the frets for sure. Make sure, that your thumb is not paralell with the strings, there has to be some angle, so your thumb is pointing to your left shoulder or even to your head (if you are slapping with your right hand-thumb).
The point is to do it with a very loose right hand. In the beginning do not even curve your fingers, just spread your right hand fingers over the instrument. That way I was able to gain the less tension in my right hand in the beginning.
When you slap with your thumb, try to make a quick, "spring-like" motion, so you immedately move back your thumb from the string. The motion comes from your wrist, just like when you have wet hands and you try to shake it off. If you do not do that, you will damp the string.
Do it slow and try to locate the best hand position for the fullest sound possible. Do it on open strings first, from E to G and back. Do it with a metronome, start at 60 or even slower. The G will be terrible in the beginning, I'm still not satisfied with mine.
Then you can try to bend your fingers in order to be able pop with the first finger.
It took a lot of time for me to get to that point as well. So take your time, because the point is to gain that full slap sound out of your thumb.
Listen to Nathan East and John Patitucci. They rarely slap fast, but they have a very nice slap sound and they have very nice easy grooves to support the music.

dezspet · #3 06-29-2009, 04:12 AM

Oh, and don't try to hit it hard. A soft touch is enough if your technic is right. It will be important later when you try to build up higher tempo.

OmegaBass16 · #4 06-29-2009, 09:21 AM

dezspet, just want to say thanks for your clear, explanation on how to slap. Can you suggest one or two easy slap & pop exercises. Thanks in advance !!

Bassist4Life · #5 06-29-2009, 09:22 AM

The Slap Bass Welcome Center

This should help you out.

Bassist4Life · #6 06-29-2009, 09:24 AM

This specific lesson may help you the most.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ReAU3u-CP4

millsbass5 · #7 06-29-2009, 09:58 AM

Are you showing your "pimp hand" when you slap??It takes a kinda "forceful thwack" of the ol' thumb when slapping.New strings?Is your action higher than Mt. Everest????If so,think almost "sea-level"(some like it a little higher) when it comes to setting your action .Guitar amp don't help matters much,but I've achieved an acceptable sound when using a guitar rig.So can you.

Vic Winters · #8 06-29-2009, 10:18 AM

Make sure your bass has a proper setup and some relatively fresh strings as well.

kcamsdog1387 · #9 06-29-2009, 10:25 AM

Wow i just learned something I was too afraid to ask. I dont really know anyone that plays slap bass that I could sit down with. I was in the same boat. The only slap song I could play was "Take the Power Back" from Rage. I still have a little trouble slapping those ghosted/muted open D's.

BuffaloBass · #10 06-29-2009, 12:11 PM

Slapping an open D is tough, I most always need to mute that sucka with my right hand.

To the OP, your thumb goes across the string more than down on it, coming to rest at the nest higher string.

For plucking, dont use your fingers, they're just a "hook", your wrist must be the lever, otherwise you'll not get any control.

Dogbertday · #11 06-29-2009, 12:24 PM

what Buffalo Bass said...

also as others have said... relax

Simo98 · #12 06-29-2009, 07:01 PM

thanks guys, i just couldn't quite get my head around exactly what you had to do.

gonna try it out as soon as i get home from work

Mahumadi · #13 06-29-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

Slapping an open D is tough, I most always need to mute that sucka with my right hand.

To the OP, your thumb goes across the string more than down on it, coming to rest at the nest higher string.

For plucking, dont use your fingers, they're just a "hook", your wrist must be the lever, otherwise you'll not get any control.

Is this the opposite of what the guy in Basist4Lifes video says? Or, am I reading your post wrong?