Mastered Slap Bass and now Im bored....

[slapfunk987]

Well its been about a year and a half since I started playing bass and I went about learning bass backwards... I learned slap bass before I really got any good at finger style.. Matter of fact my finger style sucks. My slap bass however is so advanced that now Im pretty much bored..

There is almost nothing my fingers cant do in regards to slap bass. Now that doesnt mean Im a master groover or soloer (LOL) or anything like that. I still have much to learn as far as note choice and othemusic theory and stuff like that...
But my fingers can do everything Marcus Miller can do, who is how I judge my slap style. If you say play this slap bass, most likely I will be able to play it.

So now I must go backwards and learn finger style to become a complete bassist but the music I mainly listen to is slap style. Not all of it but most of it. So I need some good funk finger style bassists who can really hold a groove. Jaco and Rocco Prestia are some who come to mind but Jaco is a little to advanced right now so I need some others

Anyone got any finger style bassists??
Also any tips for fingerstyle??
I notice that when I play fast fingerstyle, my right hand tires out in about 15 seconds.

[J. Crawford]

Uhh.. huh? You mastered slap bass and you've been playing for a year and a half? Being good and mastering something are 2 totally different things.

Going by your post, look into learning some basic theory.

Pino Palladino, James Jamerson and Rocco Prestia are some great finger style bassists to check out.

[sonic assassin]

id really look into learning music, becoming well rounded, and developing a style. those things are why my slap technique is crap. that.. and i play rock and hardcore, so theres not a lot of slap going on.

[Lee H]

learned music in a year and a half?

I haven't even mastered walking after a couple drinks, and I have been trying for years...

I am such a failure

[Foamy]

t-r-o-l-l

[pacojas]

i'm betting the only thing you've mastered is baiting fish hooks!!!

[abngourmet]

I'll offer some suggestions on what the original poster is looking for, but let me just say that his "mastering slap style" comment, to me, anyway, characterizes a lot of today's younger bassists I've heard. It seems to me that most want to do the "flashy" stuff, e.g., slapping, popping, tapping, sweeps, etc. before actually learning traditional techniques, e.g., fingerstyle. I'm not criticizing them, per se - there are a lot of great younger players out there that can play rings around me technically, and I enjoy (for the most part) listening to them. But it just seems to me that too many choose the techniques that will "wow" others and ignore those techniques more widely used in most musical genres, such as fingerstyle. Again, this is just my opinion, and should be taken as such. I may be completely wrong.

As for fingerstyle bassists, I'd offer up Jamerson, Geddy Lee, Jaco, John Entwistle, Paul McCartney (though he played with a pick), Chris Squire (pick, too), Will Lee (for the most part, anyway), Lee Sklar, Duck Dunn, Greg Lake (another pick player), Percy Jones, any number of bassists who played with Frank Zappa (Patrick O'Hearn and Tom Fowler come to mind, as does Arthur Barrow), John Taylor of Duran Duran, Sting (some of his lines are just priceless), in addition to the others already mentioned.

As far as tips go, I'd offer that you need to make sure you have a good anchor point for your plucking hand. Some guys anchor that hand on a pickup; others let their hand float freely depending on the tone or string tension they're looking for. Experiment and see what works for you. Also, make sure that you hit the string up from the note you just plucked to get ready to pluck again. What I mean by this is your fingers will be "walking" across the strings (most I know of use the index and middle finger, with some using three or more fingers to pluck). As they do so, they should strike the string above it, e.g., if you're plucking on the A string, the finger you used to pluck the string should hit the E string, etc. For open strings, such as the E, you'll have to work on the technique of muting it when you need to with your fingers, as well as the G string.

As for speed, that will come with time and practice. It doesn't come overnight, as with any new technique.

Best of luck.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by slapfunk987

I still have much to learn

So how come you are bored ?

[Strat Hater]

I have been learning stuff for 31 years, including slap and am nowhere close to knowing it all. Congrats on mastering slap in 1.5 years

[Schizo Sapiens]

Assuming this is not a troll thread, i guess that by "having mastered slap bass" you mean physical side of playing ("i can play anything i think of"), because mental side is inexhaustible.

So you've got good slap technique? Now it's time to learn how to make some good music with it.

Express yourself, learn theory (both harmony and rhytm), learn different approaches to slapping, mix it with other techniques you know, try to create slap basslines the way you've never heard before, learn to make the song complete with your playing...
This is neverending journey.

World is full of boring, uninspired, derivative slap players (many of whom probably think that they've "mastered slap bass"). Try not to be one of them.

As for finger playing, learn it the same way as you (hopefully) learn slap and any other technique:
- practice a lot
- start with slow speed, gradually increase it.
- if it hurts - you're doing something wrong, take a break.

[bassdude51]

Originally Posted by slapfunk987

Well its been about a year and a half since I started playing bass and I went about learning bass backwards... I learned slap bass before I really got any good at finger style.. Matter of fact my finger style sucks. My slap bass however is so advanced that now Im pretty much bored..

There is almost nothing my fingers cant do in regards to slap bass. Now that doesnt mean Im a master groover or soloer (LOL) or anything like that. I still have much to learn as far as note choice and othemusic theory and stuff like that...
But my fingers can do everything Marcus Miller can do, who is how I judge my slap style. If you say play this slap bass, most likely I will be able to play it.

So now I must go backwards and learn finger style to become a complete bassist but the music I mainly listen to is slap style. Not all of it but most of it. So I need some good funk finger style bassists who can really hold a groove. Jaco and Rocco Prestia are some who come to mind but Jaco is a little to advanced right now so I need some others

Anyone got any finger style bassists??
Also any tips for fingerstyle??
I notice that when I play fast fingerstyle, my right hand tires out in about 15 seconds.

If slap bass is your thing, stick with it and develope your own style. Go beyond sounding like some other slappist. Be yourself. Perhaps slapping won't be boring.

If ya wanna go finger style, follow the Masters. J. Jamerson, Duck Dunn, McCartney.........the list is very long!

Finger style plucking is up to you. Some use only the index finger others, index and middle and some can use index, middle and ring finger for dazzling 1/16 note runs and triplets. I've found that for some really, really fast bass lines, I can pluck faster using only my index. (Jamerson, Jerry Schiff)

As you switch from slap to fast finger style, you'll build up endurance.

Jazz walking bass lines are pretty damn cool and a good way to get into finger style.

Good luck!

[rockosocko]

Tell you what, put your slapping chops up against Marcus Miller, Louis Johnson, and Victor Wooton. Then come back and let us know if you've mastered slapping.

[mcnach]

Originally Posted by slapfunk987

Well its been about a year and a half since I started playing bass and I went about learning bass backwards... I learned slap bass before I really got any good at finger style.. Matter of fact my finger style sucks. My slap bass however is so advanced that now Im pretty much bored..

There is almost nothing my fingers cant do in regards to slap bass. Now that doesnt mean Im a master groover or soloer (LOL) or anything like that. I still have much to learn as far as note choice and othemusic theory and stuff like that...
But my fingers can do everything Marcus Miller can do, who is how I judge my slap style. If you say play this slap bass, most likely I will be able to play it.

So now I must go backwards and learn finger style to become a complete bassist but the music I mainly listen to is slap style. Not all of it but most of it. So I need some good funk finger style bassists who can really hold a groove. Jaco and Rocco Prestia are some who come to mind but Jaco is a little to advanced right now so I need some others

Anyone got any finger style bassists??
Also any tips for fingerstyle??
I notice that when I play fast fingerstyle, my right hand tires out in about 15 seconds.

This is going to sound like an attack... but I honestly don't mean it that way.

When someone says they have "mastered" a style... more often than not it is not true. Now, you say you have played only for 18 months, and you can't do fingerstyle...

It all sounds terribly naive to me.

I do not think you sound arrogant, you would have not posted asking for suggestions to improve. I think your heart is in the right place, and you are probably just stuck in a rut, as we all do from time to time.

The truth is you probably have a lot to learn, even on slap techniques, but especially about being a bass player. My suggestion? Ask locally and find the best teacher, and go to see him/her. Tell them what you just told us. Even if you can only afford a couple of lessons. I am sure they will be able to give you some direction and you can take it from there.

Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees... I wish you the best of luck, and fun, on a long bass playing journey :-)

[Floyd Eye]

Please post some clips of you slapping.

[thmsjordan]

Originally Posted by slapfunk987

Well its been about a year and a half since I started playing bass and I went about learning bass backwards... I learned slap bass before I really got any good at finger style.. Matter of fact my finger style sucks. My slap bass however is so advanced that now Im pretty much bored..

There is almost nothing my fingers cant do in regards to slap bass. Now that doesnt mean Im a master groover or soloer (LOL) or anything like that. I still have much to learn as far as note choice and othemusic theory and stuff like that...
But my fingers can do everything Marcus Miller can do, who is how I judge my slap style. If you say play this slap bass, most likely I will be able to play it.

So now I must go backwards and learn finger style to become a complete bassist but the music I mainly listen to is slap style. Not all of it but most of it. So I need some good funk finger style bassists who can really hold a groove. Jaco and Rocco Prestia are some who come to mind but Jaco is a little to advanced right now so I need some others

Anyone got any finger style bassists??
Also any tips for fingerstyle??
I notice that when I play fast fingerstyle, my right hand tires out in about 15 seconds.

Wow, I have been playing for just under 40 years and I have worked hard at it. My resume' isn't too bad either, but I wish I could have mastered the bass in under two years. As it is, I listen to guys like Jaco, Ray Brown, Gary Karr, Renaud Garcia Fons, and Marcus Miller, and I realize that after 40 years, I am F****ng far from a "Master".

By the way, there is a huge difference between copping licks that a bassist like Marcus came up with, and creating material that good yourself. I constantly run into youngsters who cop an attitude that <insert bass icon of your choice> wasn't that great. "Hell I can play all that stuff cold." they say. Well, my question to them is "Sure, you can play what they came up with -BUT- can you come up with stuff that good on your own given a lead sheet and count?"

I would add Paul Jackson as a great "finger" style player. IMHO he is one of the greatest at non slap funk styles. The guy has more ideas in a minute than I get in a year...lol.

Learn some theory, listen to styles you don't normally listen to. You'll be amazed at all the great players with wonderful ideas out there. There is greatness all around you, just open up to it.

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by rockosocko

Tell you what, put your slapping chops up against Marcus Miller, Louis Johnson, and Victor Wooton. Then come back and let us know if you've mastered slapping.

He already said he can play everything Marcus Miller can play, "But my fingers can do everything Marcus Miller can do, who is how I judge my slap style. If you say play this slap bass, most likely I will be able to play it."

Try to keep up.

Maybe he meant Barney Miller!

[One Drop]

Yup, start making music now.

It's like a woodworker saying he mastered planing, now he's bored. Well, learn how to sand, cut, join and assemble, and you still won't be anywhere except at the beginning.

When you start making furniture, or whatever, then you are getting somewhere.

Sounds like you need to start listening to music and finding your own way. There are a million posts here about various bassists, take some time and look around with your ears. Your technique should serve the music you want to make, sounds like the music itself has taken a back seat to moving your fingers around on a bass.

But if you are really so in the dark, listen to Donald Duck Dunn, Jamerson, etc for a start.

Believe me, learning finger-style and starting to play music instead of practicing 'technique' ithout making music is anything but 'going backwards'. It's really just leaving the starting blocks.

BTW, do you ever play with other musicians, or is bass just a solo sport for you at the moment?

[Nev375]

Will you please post some educational vids master? I've been playing 22 years and my slapping technique still needs a lot of improvement.

[devilman666]

Originally Posted by thmsjordan

Wow, I have been playing for just under 40 years and I have worked hard at it. My resume' isn't too bad either, but I wish I could have mastered the bass in under two years. As it is, I listen to guys like Jaco, Ray Brown, Gary Karr, Renaud Garcia Fons, and Marcus Miller, and I realize that after 40 years, I am F****ng far from a "Master".

By the way, there is a huge difference between copping licks that a bassist like Marcus came up with, and creating material that good yourself. I constantly run into youngsters who cop an attitude that <insert bass icon of your choice> wasn't that great. "Hell I can play all that stuff cold." they say. Well, my question to them is "Sure, you can play what they came up with -BUT- can you come up with stuff that good on your own given a lead sheet and count?"

I would add Paul Jackson as a great "finger" style player. IMHO he is one of the greatest at non slap funk styles. The guy has more ideas in a minute than I get in a year...lol.

Learn some theory, listen to styles you don't normally listen to. You'll be amazed at all the great players with wonderful ideas out there. There is greatness all around you, just open up to it.

So I have to agree with this statement. As a guy who learned to play highspeed 3-4 finger style then learning more slap pop style I understand that the ability to copy a riff is how we learn but you haven't mastered a skill untill you can create original music in that style. I also find that very few songs are all one thing. In fact my "style" is a blend of Alex Webster finger style and Les Claypool slap pop. Dep on the song the timing the feel I try different things until I fing wha works for the music and then works for me .

[Schizo Sapiens]

Originally Posted by One Drop

Yup, start making music now.

It's like a woodworker saying he mastered planing, now he's bored. Well, learn how to sand, cut, join and assemble, and you still won't be anywhere except at the beginning.

When you start making furniture, or whatever, then you are getting somewhere.

Well said.