an interesting discovery..

[Shroom]

A few days ago I was messing around on my bass and I found out something that could be useful for something like starting up a song and building into it or something..

If you use your thumb like you would in slap, you can lightly tap the strings just above the bridge. Obviously the harder you tap, the louder the sound gets. The interesting thing I noticed though, is that it really cuts the attack out as compared to finger style, so if you wanted to build up a bassline as one fluid sound, rather than hearing each played note individually, this could be very useful.

Of course, it has its limits. It works best on open strings or notes fretted very low on the neck, and if you tap too hard youre going to start getting a bit of slap tone. Also, you can still barely hear each attack, of course, but if you used this in a live setting with a band, the audience probably wouldn't.

Just thought I'd share for anyone who feels like messing with it..

[Zinkff]

I use this technique often. I've also found that when you do hit it harder it gives a percussive slap sound with a different character than you get slapping at the fingerboard, and it too can be quite useful at times.