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11-30-2007, 03:25 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England | | | Hey I'm new. be gentle...
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Hi, my name is Sarah and this is my first post... 
I'm 22 and currently flit between playing a 5 or 4 string but my main baby has to be my 5 string (hence the username lol)...
Anyway.. I digress... I am self taught by playing to cds and have always played with a pick but now I'm in a band I want to learn slap/popping and finger plucking as I don't want anyone to think that I'm crap because I use a pick during gigs etc. I'm not the worlds best bassist by any means but I don't think I'm bad  .
So yea.. hi  and if anyone could offer me any tips on how to evolve from a picker to a slapper I'd appreciate it..
Cheers,
Sarah |
11-30-2007, 03:29 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, TX | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah5string  Hi, my name is Sarah and this is my first post...
I'm 22 and currently flit between playing a 5 or 4 string but my main baby has to be my 5 string (hence the username lol)...
Anyway.. I digress... I am self taught and have always played with a pick but now I'm in a band I want to learn slap/popping and finger plucking as I don't want anyone to think that I'm crap because I use a pick during gigs etc. I'm not the worlds best bassist by any means but I don't think I'm bad .
So yea.. hi and if anyone could offer me any tips on how to evolve from a picker to a slapper I'd appreciate it..
Cheers,
Sarah | welcome Sarah! glad to have you here!
not to quibble, but honestly, the best you can do is be the best at what you do. nobody will think less of you if you aren't the best at fingerstyle or slap/pop. if they do, then they are morons and need to be castrated and/or die for their ignorance. i only play fingerstyle, and have no desire to learn to slap. i'm not the best at pickstyle, and have no desire to get any better. does this make me a bad bassist? nope. just means that i don't get most funk jobs. not for me. do what you want because you want to. if you honestly want to learn fingerstyle and slap, go for it! but if it's just to impress someone, phooey on that! be who you are and be the best at what you do! that's the name of the game!
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11-30-2007, 03:33 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England | | | Thanks.. I know what you mean... it's just the ignorant morons who care about what technique you have.... but for example I came today to try and learn Dig by mudvayne and it's all slap/popping and I just thought 'well bum, why can't I do that'.. lol. |
11-30-2007, 03:34 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, TX | | i can dig. just wait a bit. someone will be along shortly to help you out. this is a very helpful place (especially if you have more money than sense, or need help wasting time  )
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11-30-2007, 03:35 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England | | | Oh I'm very good at waisting time (and money)... hence why my job title is 'stay at home mum' lol |
11-30-2007, 03:38 PM
| | | | The best thing to do first, is research, and you have the internet, so you can find pretty much anything you want. Youtube, search for slap bass, look at a lot of videos, copy techniques and see what works out for you. |
11-30-2007, 03:43 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St Louis, MO, USA | | | Welcome to TB! It is said that it is easier to go from fingers to pick than vice versa. You should adapt your playing how ever you see fit. I play both styles (finger and pick) at most gigs with no complaints or comments. I go with whatever I feel best suits the particular song.
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11-30-2007, 03:45 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England | | | Thanks morf.. I did look at youtube.. but could only seem to find the vids of people who we're either insanely good that I couldn't follow.. or the kids who obviously never picked up a bassin theirs lives but thought they were the nuts.. lol |
11-30-2007, 04:07 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio | | Quote:
Originally Posted by morf The best thing to do first, is research, and you have the internet, so you can find pretty much anything you want. Youtube, search for slap bass, look at a lot of videos, copy techniques and see what works out for you. | YES!!! Big +1!!!
I also have transferred my talents from guitar to bass and for 5 years I played with a pick because, like you, I was self taught. I got into a progressive rock/jazz band which demanded me to learn several different styles and techniques.
What has helped me is the internet, especially YouTube videos believe it or not. Another thing that helped me is to strictly only play with your fingers during rehearsals. It will be awkward for a little while, it was with me, but the end result is worth it. Now, 2 years later, I'm playing fingerstyle, slap, pick, and tapping with the best of them, well maybe not the best, but I'm getting pretty good.
Another website to check out is www.studybass.com. It's got a bunch of information not only on technique but theory and ear training as well.
Welcome to talkbass and get better. 
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Originally Posted by Roy Vogt So much gets said online that would never be said face to face. | |
11-30-2007, 04:26 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Diego, California | | Just on a side note, I don't believe Dig is all slapped, I'm pretty sure it's mostly played with heavy finger playing towards the neck.
That might make it a bit easier  |
11-30-2007, 05:01 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chichester, England | | Hi Sarah,
Welcome to the Deep End!
Nobody will think you are crap whether you pick/finger/slap or play with your teeth. By all means go ahead & learn them but only if you actually want that particular sound, not because you think you should.
Remeber some of the most famous basslines on the planet were picked ...
Money - Pink Floyd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl6NfQyNLto
Two Tribes - Frankie Goes To Hollywood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc01-_ccX-w
to name but two.
Cheers
Russell |
11-30-2007, 05:49 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada | | In my opinion playing with a pick is harder than playing with fingers. More difficult to mute the strings.
Here's a site that helped a great deal with fingerstyle... http://www.cyberschoolofbass.com/lessons.html
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Last edited by skaliwag66 : 11-30-2007 at 05:52 PM.
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11-30-2007, 06:10 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Pacific Northwest | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah5string Thanks morf.. I did look at youtube.. but could only seem to find the vids of people who we're either insanely good that I couldn't follow.. or the kids who obviously never picked up a bassin theirs lives but thought they were the nuts.. lol | Do a search for Jaco Pastorius to see some great finger technique. For instance: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JXOnhzoC-i8&feature=related
Also check out the instructional video he did, Modern Electric Bass. Here's the first part: http://youtube.com/watch?v=SuCajiXZCFg Quote:
Originally Posted by demented6th Hi Sarah,
Welcome to the Deep End!
Nobody will think you are crap whether you pick/finger/slap or play with your teeth. By all means go ahead & learn them but only if you actually want that particular sound, not because you think you should.
Remeber some of the most famous basslines on the planet were picked ...
Money - Pink Floyd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl6NfQyNLto
Two Tribes - Frankie Goes To Hollywood http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc01-_ccX-w
to name but two.
Cheers
Russell |
Roundabout - Yes http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xql99I1VSdI
Good luck, Sarah, and welcome to TB! |
11-30-2007, 09:54 PM
| | Beware the Jabberwock, my son! | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Charlotte,NC | | | I to started out playing with a pick and to learn finger style I threw all my picks away and made myself learn to play with my fingers, any way enough about me, search for "Tower of Power" and Rocco Prestia. One of my personal favorites. |
11-30-2007, 10:51 PM
| | | | hi sarah,
i'm not even going to be pretensious and claim that i am amazing or anything, because i dont think i am, but what worked for me when it came to learning alternating fingerstyle was to play a simple blues bassline using couplets, and playing it SLOWLY. After two days of practice, it felt almost completely natural to me. Just my two cents. |
11-30-2007, 11:08 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Denver, CO | | Sarah, welcome to Talkbass!
+1 to billm with the Victor Wooten on Youtube
Vic does a pretty good job of explaining his double thump technique in a great way that people can really understand.
It's great that you're looking to expand as a bass player, but keep in mind that just because you use a pick, it doesn't mean you're not a good bass player. A pick is just another tool in a bass player's sonic toolbox.
My best advice: start slow. IMO, start with a good fingerstyle and the slap/pop will come fairly naturally and quicker than you'll realize. Set some smaller "bite size" goals for yourself and you'll avoid getting discouraged. Start by focusing on using one finger, then focus on alternating between two fingers, etc.
I find that using the pad of my finger rather than the tip helps me get a punchier, fatter tone. Put the meaty part of your fingertip on the string and give it a good solid pluck, rolling your finger off the string so it lands on the next string. Anchoring your thumb on a pickup will help give your plucking hand stability 
For slap, I use the side of my thumb and the meaty part of my finger (again). I thump down with my thumb through the string I want to play and land on the next string. The finger is for the pluck up (of course), completing the slap/pop. It's a pretty common technique I think... and I freely admit that Victor Wooten heavily influenced me when I first started playing bass. 
I'm one of those people that believes that tone is in the fingers. I also believe that you should play how YOU want to play. If it works better for you to use the tips of your fingers, by all means do so! If you want to stick with using a pick, there's nothing wrong with that either.
Like billm said, vic's lessons on youtube are pretty good and harmony-central.com also has some nice resources. Good bookstores will also have some great resources for you as well. Another thing I can suggest is to go to live shows and check out how other bass players play.
Good luck and keep us posted. See you around TB!
5sg
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Last edited by fivestringgecko : 11-30-2007 at 11:20 PM.
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11-30-2007, 11:25 PM
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12-01-2007, 02:18 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Staffordshire, England | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Tired_Thumb | Point taken... LOL |
12-01-2007, 05:14 AM
| | | well muting the strings was for me the greatest challenge when starting out bass. I play only fingerstyle and the occasional slap and pop and can't play with a pick. My tip would be to not neglect muting and always be aware of it. There are a few ways to do it, there is no absolute correct way so just be creative. For example i pluck only with 2 fingers, so the thumb and the rest of the fingers are always looking for ways to stop unwanted strings from vibrating. Also incorporate your fingers on your fretting hand to help as well. It's kinda hard to explain everything in words so the best thing would actually be to get a teacher if you can. 
Oh and there's a floating thumb technique thread on the stickies (i think). Definitely worth checking out. | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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