How does wooten do those fast pops?

[I am Domokun]

I've recently tried my hand(s) at learning some Wooten stuff, starting with you can't hold no groove. What stumps me is how he does pops on the high strings in rapid succession. When I pop, I hook my finger under the string and lift my whole hand up to pop. I can't get anywhere near Wooten's, or any of the others that use this technique. Whatever it is.

So how do I do it?

[tswd]

Listen to Wooten describe his technique. He doesn't do "slaps" and "pops". He does "thumbs" and "plucks". Don't try to pop the string. Set your action really low (his is) and pluck the strings upwards (perpendicular to the fretboard). Because the strings are so low, anything you do will cause the popping sound because they'll always end up hitting the fretboard.

[funkydanbass]

Hmm, I disagree with the above post.

First, besides the words, there is no difference between slap-thum and pop-pluck. Theres variations on the technique, but basically its just different names for the same thing.

Keep in mind that Victor, and many other contemporary slappers usually incorporate two fingers when popping. Combined with 'double thumping,' that gives you four attacks that can be used in quick succession. In Victors case, combining this with his 'open-hammer-pluck' technique is what allows him to play what he does.

However, I think your referring to the times where Victor just pops (or plucks) a single note quickly, (often in stacatto triplets). In this case he really is just popping the notes 'fast.' No tricks here, just practice popping fast!

The string hitting the fingerboard has little, (if anything) to do with the intitial percusive 'snap' of the pop/pluck technique. Many slap players actually set there action a little higher to avoid fret buzz and allow greater dynamic range.

[I am Domokun]

I've tried popping with two fringers, one after the other but it just ain't getting any better.

[EADG mx]

Economy of motion

don't pop harder than you need to, don't put your fingers under the strings farther than you need to

Lower your action if you can, and also try doing it over a pickup (you may need to adjust the height).


That's what works for me, and a lot of people who are into DT/DP techniques

[Lincoln]

hold your hand steady over one string and pop with with i,m,r,p fingers in succession. keep a low action so that you don't have to pull the strings hard.

As others have said, use the double thumb - which is to use your thumb like a pick and go down through the string and then back up. I find that your tone may differ based on the shape of your thumb and the meat on your thumb. Vic has quite a hit of flesh around his thumb nail so his up strokes still sound rather fat. There's not nearly an nail scrape on the way up.

I on the other hand, don't have as much meat or callous around my thumbnail so it's not as effective for me on the E and A strings as it is for Vic.

[EADG mx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXSB0yDlS54


This Vic lesson really helped me out with DP


watch around 4:30, what he says about keeping the fingers close to the body of the bass

also, he shows you how to get your fingers in position to pop while slapping. Pay close attention to that

[ryco]

Put your index finger a little under the D string and your middle a little under the G

Now pop the D and with a rolling motion twist your wrist away from the bass.

Keep your fingers fairly stiff and let the middle finger roll out and pop the G as it goes by.

Let one finger follow the other: i-m i-m i-m

After you're comfortable with the feel of this try double popping on one string. Let the fingers follow each other.

[EADG mx]

I recommend trying it on one string first, preferably the G (or C if you play a tenor or 6 string)


Start smaller. Master that before you start doing string crossing with it.

[ryco]

^^ Thanx mx! I guess this is a case of whatever works for you. I was shown the cross string method because that's the way the fingers naturally lie and it gives a bit more room and feels a little more comfortable starting out. But if it feels more comfortable to "start small" on one string, then by all means do it.

Start very slowly and increase your speed. Keep your fingers and wrist firm but relaxed. If you start to feel your wrist or fingers strain - stop. May take a little while for tendons, ligaments and muscles to get used to this method. Really, don't force anything. Take your time and be gentle. Also start with your index finger popping first - way less strain.

I was taught to use dead notes first, concentrating on the physical technique first and then adding notes as the method felt more comfortable.

The bassline to "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" by Rod Stewart is a good tune to practice this double pop technique on one string. Th P-P, Th P-P; but do it slowly. No straining at all.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by ryco

I was taught to use dead notes first, concentrating on the physical technique first and then adding notes as the method felt more comfortable.

Good advice, something else I should have mentioned