learning the slap

[Youngspanion]

I am struggleing to learn how to slap. I bought the Ed Friedland Slap DVD a few days ago. I've been practiceing daily. I am having trouble hitting every string,except the E string, cleanly. I am hitting every thing with the A the D and the G. Is it just a matter of practice or is there something I should know. I seem to have some success with a bit of muting on my right hand. Is this the proper technique?

[labgnat]

OH YES, SLAP "The art of keeping your woman in line" as i refer to it as. some try to brainwash me into believing Larry Graham invented it. but i just don't buy it. Surely it's been around a few years before men had evolved from apes

[pete&petelives]

Well my biggest piece of advice would be to make sure to try and get used to trying to keep your thumb parellel to strings and not slap like most people do where their hand is in the same position as when their playing fingerstyle. You'll be able to slap much faster and in better groove (imho).

[ebe9]

I assume you are playing on a 4 string?

Its a matter of practice, practice, practice.

Start it of very slowly striking each string in turn, making sure you sound out a "clean note". Once you start getting the muscle memory going for where each string sits in your mind then you will find that your speed will increase.

Also, I assume the DVD you bought (like others have said already too) instructy you to hold your thumb as parallel to the strings as possible i.e. the tip of your thumb points in the direction of the headstock.

Also remeber that slapping is a wrist movement not a elbow movement. Think of the way you turn on a tap, you use your wrist, now just stick your thumb out and and curl your fingers towards your palm and make the same motion, same principle when slapping.

And one final piece of advice.......................practice

[jamescalvin]

I found it easier to do when I just played open strings. It's a pain at first but then it gets easier, just like anything else. Just remember not to slap it too hard, let your wrist flow with the bounce. Before you know it, your girl will be sitting there yappin your ear off one day, you'll be sitting on the couch slappin the bass, then you'll just get it. Keep practicing.

[thefruitfarmer]

I found it easier to slap on the lower strings and it does take a while to get it...

It may be worth practicing the pull with the first finger on a higher string at the same time as practicing the slap with the thumb. I find them part of the same movement.

Keep practicing and notice the small improvements - it does take a while before the penny drops.

[MichaelScott]

Get "Slap it!" www.slapit.com and then get a teacher to go over it with you.