I feel soo inadequate, because I can't slap my bass

PCR · #1 06-14-2010, 12:06 AM

I've been playing guitar for many many years [I'm old], but I've only been playing the bass semi-seriously for about 6 months. I know enough music theory and chord progressions to pick up the bass pretty quickly and I'm comfortable playing my bass with a few friends.

But recently, I've been poking around local music stores looking for a Fender P-Bass. And when I go into the Bass section in ANY music store, everybody around be are slapping their basses like a $5... [well, you get the picture]. Me, I only know how to play a bass with my fingers. Don't get me wrong... I'm usually quite impressed, and I think it sounds really neat, but...

Why is it that everybody (except me) who goes into a music store and plugs a bass into an amp knows how to slap? Am I missing something? Do I need to start learning how to slap because I'm missing a valuable technique that will limit my playing?

I'm just an 'at home hack' who enjoys playing my guitars (ad basses) at home, and get together with some friends every once in a while to jam. I don't know any other bass players (only other guitarists and drummers: that's why I started playing the bass). So I really don't have anybody to ask.

Thanks...

paulygonemad · #2 06-14-2010, 12:11 AM

Dude, hear me out.
I don't slap. I do, however, thumb.
What can I say, I am an old school finger player. I like guys like the Ox and Graham. I say play that P how you want. Play it often and play it well. As for your choice in basses... +++++
Use a P. Move around with your fingering hand. You have much power at your disposal.
rock that P, screw the hacks you see at GC.

mat b · #3 06-14-2010, 12:23 AM

Slap is kind of a gimmick to some people. I can double thump and tap and sweep and all that but I've never actually done any of that in a band setting... A 20 second slap interlude for one song in the 8 years I've been playing... And it wasn't fancy or crazy fast. You will use any special wank technique less than 5% of the time you play. Sure, if you were victor or Marcus you might use it 90% but most of us aren't band leaders that have ten solo CDs under our belts... When they play that's what people want to see. When I play people want to see the artist I'm SUPPORTING... Not me slapping to my hearts content.

FunkyMan · #4 06-14-2010, 12:34 AM

Naahh.. don't worry

even in Funk Bands, where the bass is like a "leading actor" or protagonist, no slap lines last a long time, (Except for some compositions obviously) take it as a parallel technique, together with your fingerstyle, but if you decide to develop it, do it well, research, how should accompany a band with this technique without appearing to be soloing!

fullrangebass · #5 06-14-2010, 12:46 AM

I can slap up to a point, but I'm no Mark King, Victor Wooten or Marcus Miller, but i do not feel I am REALLY that inadequate when it comes to expressing myself or supporting a tune. Slapping is a style and several many people can use it in a musical (or non-musical) way.

pinz · #6 06-14-2010, 01:00 AM

Hi all,been reading these forums for a while now but just had to register to reply to this topic by PCR.

I have been playing/getting by on the bass for over 20 years now (most weekends at least once) and dont play any other instrument.

I have tried to play slap bass for just as long and hey PCR I am no better at it really than 20 years ago.

I have come to the conclusion you either "have it" or you dont and in my case I just dont.It doesnt phase me although I do wish it was something I could do with proficiency as I think it sounds pretty darn cool in the right context.

Bit like me trying to use a simple pick,nope,no hope there either,I just cant seem to hold on to thing for more than a minute

But I still enjoy what I play regardless PCR,we are all different.

Choice forums you have,very informative,so much so it cuts into my playtime

stepswork4me · #7 06-14-2010, 01:08 AM

I don't slap at all. I play with a pick a lot. I tap quite a bit. I play with my fingers a little. I have been friends with some great slap players, though. It's just another method to approaching your instrument. Although, there are many folks here that will call it "special wankering". If it's a style that you choose to persue, then enjoy it. If you choose to get into soloing, enjoy it. If you choose to not play "follow the leader" and be more of a frontman, enjoy it. Don't let anyone relegate you to where you don't want to be due to the instrument that you play. For that matter, if you want to play support lines, enjoy that too.

A-Step-Towards · #8 06-14-2010, 01:11 AM

I usually only use a pick , sometimes finger. I can slap but I never do it in a band setting just for fun , I dont play style of music that it would fit with and never really liked slap.

TonyFranklinFan · #9 06-14-2010, 01:29 AM

Kind of pointless unless you are a solo artist or recording something special. 99% of the time, it's too hard to E.Q. the bass from "in the mix" to "solo slap" tone with enough volume in a split second anyway for the whole audience to hear. Jaco invented the "sound" with his fingers, just remember that..oh and..Jamerson refused to slap and pop, that is good enough for me!

whatiswhat · #10 06-14-2010, 01:51 AM

if you really want to slap, you just have to practice it... a lot.
just work it into your normal practice routine and have fun

stepswork4me · #11 06-14-2010, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyFranklinFan

Kind of pointless unless you are a solo artist or recording something special. 99% of the time, it's too hard to E.Q. the bass from "in the mix" to "solo slap" tone with enough volume in a split second anyway for the whole audience to hear. Jaco invented the "sound" with his fingers, just remember that..oh and..Jamerson refused to slap and pop, that is good enough for me!

Not true. There are many players that will slap throughout songs and albumns. What Jaco and Jamerson did are irrelevant, IMO.

seventhson · #12 06-14-2010, 02:00 AM

slapping on bass is like tapping on guitar.

sure, it's nice if you can do it, and yes, it might be mandatory for certain songs or genres, but is it a necessity for being the guy they call when they want a bassist? no.

whatiswhat · #13 06-14-2010, 02:04 AM

i wish i hadn't let some people know i can slap it. some people demand it when i jam with them while i prefer to pluck it.

Hopper · #14 06-14-2010, 03:28 AM

Be proud of your inadequacies!

Meatrus · #15 06-14-2010, 06:04 AM

I guess its down to you how much you want to be able to slap, if you really want to be able, just practice at it, theres no reason you wont be able to do it (unless you have a injured arm or something). Theres not really any hidden secret, its just keep going till you get it. You should be able to find a few tips in the technique section here though (which is where this thread should be).

I learnt slap and pop when I was 12, and it took me about 3 (frustrating!) weeks or so. I didnt learn it because its a useful skill, just because I like the sound. My tip would be to keep your wrist flexible (slap bass is all in the wrist, like a lot of things heh heh

) rather than trying to move your whole arm.

As you are a home player I definitely think it would be worth learning for you (if you like the sound) as it will give you something else to practice, and give you opportunity of making different songs of you own incorporating it.

Elrend · #16 06-14-2010, 06:11 AM

Don't waste your time on it if you don't wanna do it.

caeman · #17 06-14-2010, 06:26 AM

I don't slap. Not really interested. But, I must admit that is flashy and when used in an appropriate place, does have a nice sound.

But at GC, I have a feeling it is to impress people at GC. I mean, doesn't everyone have a GC-Method they prepare so that when they are sitting there testing basses, they can impress all the hawties cruisin' the 'Center?

lomo · #18 06-14-2010, 06:31 AM

Slap is the chili sauce of bass. A little is tangy, a lot ruins the dish. Me, I prefer garlic anyway.

JulienJeff · #19 06-14-2010, 06:32 AM

I've been playing for 14 years and I still don't slap. I can't, because I've never really tried.

JonnyAngle · #20 06-14-2010, 06:39 AM

I was A-B-ing a GK MB115 and MB210 amp at GC playing some normal riffs like Brown Eyed Girl, Hit Me with Your Best Shot etc, which is what I play in my band. Some DB sits down right next to me and plugs into a Markbass 210 and just starts slapping to beat hell and is louder than fudge. He tells me I should buy the amp he plugged into and walked away. I just gave him one of these looks

Point of the story:
I could have sat down and slapped some basslines, but I was buying a new amp for when I play live with my band, not wasting my time wanking and showing off. Plus, I know a signed and touring artist that has recorded music videos and recorded 3 albums but can't slap; he doesn't care to learn either.