New slap technique?

[HELLonWheels187]

I slap really weird(i think) everybody say to slap with you thumb parallel but i slap almost perpendicular to the string. It just feels better for and i can slap faster. The thing is when i slap that way(with my thumb almost perpendicular) I have acquired the abilty to slap chords. I was wondering if anybody else slapped chords or if anybody slaps the way i do?

[thebassclef]

That's how Flea does it, but for me.... I'm to white to slap

[Grueber]

Mark King slaps with his thumb sticking up a little, but i don't know if it's the same thing you are talking about. I would like to hear some of those slapped chords

[HELLonWheels187]

I can get a clip up tommorow

[silent89]

I use both methods, but having your thumb slap perpendicular means you lose the ability to double thumb the note, and is also less accurate

[HELLonWheels187]

Originally Posted by silent89

I use both methods, but having your thumb slap perpendicular means you lose the ability to double thumb the note, and is also less accurate

I find it easier that way. Plus my thumb is straight so it looks differant then somebody how has a hitchhikers thumb(victor wooten). When i slap parallel my palm gets in the way. Speed isn't a problem but I am less accurate,but not enough to make a diffeance.

[Notic3]

I like to think that there isnt just ONE technique to play the bass, and that aplies to slapping too.

I prefer to slap in a parallel way to the strings, but then again, I use a lot of the end of my right hand palm to mute the others strings, so I use a lot of mutes with both hands (I developed my style a lot like Louis Johnson "mutes", but I play with my hand realy close to the bass).

I understand what you are saying there, and like thebassclef said, you play like Flea (you see, he doesnt play with his thumb parallel to the strings, and look at him, he's great"!)

Another example also showed in this topic is Mark King. He is trully one of my inspirations, and he is a pioneer in slapping the bass. His technique is the oposite of Flea (he still plays perpendiculary but the other way around, get it ^^ ?). He Slaps like a monster, and he uses a lot of mutes too, but this time more with his left hand.

Basicly: you can even slap with your hair. If it sounds good, do it!

[Cristo]

Some people point the thumb at the neck, some at the sky, some at the ground, and all points in between.

Just go with whatever works best for you, but don't be afriad to try something new for a while. Sometimes it's useful. There are usually pros and cons to any particular technique.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

I slap really weird(i think) everybody say to slap with you thumb parallel but i slap almost perpendicular to the string. It just feels better for and i can slap faster. The thing is when i slap that way(with my thumb almost perpendicular) I have acquired the abilty to slap chords. I was wondering if anybody else slapped chords or if anybody slaps the way i do?

That sounds like the way I do it, too. Works for me!

[XansNiceSweater]

I do mine perpendicular to the string, as well.

Except I can't slap very well.

Sometimes I hit my string with a drumstick on my fretless.
I've played with my tongue, too.

So I'm the wrong guy to ask about technique.

[Andy3825]

I slap with my thumb like 45 degrees to the string i guess, but I know what youre saying. It hasn't hindered my progress at slapping at all, I think I slap pretty well. I also know of those slap chords, I use those sometimes when I'm messing around. They definitely sound cool. Just keep going for it. If you're as accurate as someone who slaps parallel, then who cares?

[EADG mx]

I also use my thumb at 45 degrees. People will tell you this is "wrong" but ignore them, they're just elitists.

As for accuracy, you will be more accurate with whatever way you practice more. I'm a lot more accurate this way than with parallel, which I've only started doing recently.

[christobass 416]

Originally Posted by thebassclef

That's how Flea does it, but for me.... I'm to white to slap

[HELLonWheels187]

I'm asking if anybody slaps chords?

[bassbengoa]

Originally Posted by HELLonWheels187

I slap really weird(i think) everybody say to slap with you thumb parallel but i slap almost perpendicular to the string. It just feels better for and i can slap faster. The thing is when i slap that way(with my thumb almost perpendicular) I have acquired the abilty to slap chords. I was wondering if anybody else slapped chords or if anybody slaps the way i do?

It works for me too.

Originally Posted by Notic3

Basicly: you can even slap with your hair. If it sounds good, do it!

+1000

That doesn't mean you shouldn't do what you're being taught by your teacher, i mean that you should try to expand your horizon

[HELLonWheels187]

Originally Posted by Grueber

Mark King slaps with his thumb sticking up a little, but i don't know if it's the same thing you are talking about. I would like to hear some of those slapped chords

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...aped_chord.wav

I know it sucks because i did it really quick and i used my computer mic. Any all the chords that you hear are slapped

[Grueber]

sounds cool

[mkettner]

Does anyone know of a free video on the perpendicular Slap method. I want to see it.

[cord]

those chords dont sound any different than just strumming them really

[bongomania]

I have been trying like crazy to slap thumb-parallel-to-string, and on the A string my tone just sucks... sounds more like a berimbau than a bass. But when I slap with thumb pointing downward 45 degrees, I get killer tone even on the A and D strings! The only drawback is more of a tendency to graze the wrong strings. It feels like with the thumb pointing down I can get a solid hit with the knuckle joint, while in parallel mode I can't get a clean strike with that joint.

Just ranting here, really, unless somebody has advice...