Open my slapping up.

powellmacaque · #1 03-15-2010, 06:47 PM

Hey guys, I've been getting kind of bored with my slap stuff lately. I've been in a sort of funk (pun kind of intended) when it comes to creating cool slap lines. Most of my slapping consists of slapping the root of whatever line I'm making, popping the octave, and then creating a sort of pentatonic filler section in between.

What are some cool techniques to sort of break out of this box mentality when slapping? Lately I've been trying to do stuff centered around the root, fifth, sixth, and octave, and it seems to be opening up a little. Any more suggestions or techniques?

As far as my right hand goes, I've got pretty good (albeit non-traditional) technique there. I can slap, pop (with my index and middle fingers) and mute fairly well with great accuracy. I haven't really mastered double thumping yet, but I really haven't found a way to make it practical yet. Any tips for my right hand?

ugly_bassplayer · #2 03-15-2010, 06:50 PM

Get this book, it's called Slap it!

http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=279

mat b · #3 03-15-2010, 07:36 PM

Try slapping on one string... Or double thumps, double plucks, open hammer stuff... Or........ Major scales?

millerfreak · #4 03-17-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

Hey guys, I've been getting kind of bored with my slap stuff lately. I've been in a sort of funk (pun kind of intended) when it comes to creating cool slap lines. Most of my slapping consists of slapping the root of whatever line I'm making, popping the octave, and then creating a sort of pentatonic filler section in between.

What are some cool techniques to sort of break out of this box mentality when slapping? Lately I've been trying to do stuff centered around the root, fifth, sixth, and octave, and it seems to be opening up a little. Any more suggestions or techniques?

As far as my right hand goes, I've got pretty good (albeit non-traditional) technique there. I can slap, pop (with my index and middle fingers) and mute fairly well with great accuracy. I haven't really mastered double thumping yet, but I really haven't found a way to make it practical yet. Any tips for my right hand?

I'm a slapper myself and I always practice "really easy" stuff, say stuff that you already known, and i found that by doing so, you're opening an opportunity for yourself to find some new stuff.

Comments on the double thumping. Surprisingly, playing slap is not just about technique. You need to develop your ears. I dont know about you, but as far as i go, i spent quite alot of time listening to solos in a song, or a normal bass solo songs (marcus miller, etc) and i usually listen to it over and over again until i can remember the parts (without playing it) and i always try to figure out whats happening, i mean, how to play it? what technique is being used? or even what notes?

About right hand, i cant really remember how i did my double thumping (you're not talking about up down thump like wooten right? double thumping - mark king / larry graham reference) , but its best to try to listen to it before you play it.

If im to teach by words, its quite like this:

thump on D on A string with hammer on to E on A string
Thump on E open string, then mute it with left hand
Thump on E open string, still being muted
Thump on E open string, without having it muted

Repeat.

This way, your right hand will actually work alot, which is good, you can try the hammer on technique on a pentatonic scale, with double thumping to practice endurance.

The more you analyze, the better player you are. Forget about theory for now, dont be stiff and thinking too much about what notes that you play, try to focus on groove. Dont worry about what you cant do, cause being good in slap takes time, and playing clean, tight and in time, and groovy is the key.

Do visit my youtube channel if you got questions.

youtube.com/terrykumar

Bassist4Life · #5 03-17-2010, 03:26 PM

one idea: slap or pop b7 to Root...

example: G7 or Gm7 chord. slap/pop F to G.

Andy_D · #6 03-18-2010, 08:49 PM

I'm still a neophyte slapper myself I've been trying lately to try and build coordination to do double pops. using my middle and ring finger in succession. Ive been trying to play along to The Ronnie Laws Always There, which has a repeating double pop in there. Trying to pop the C# twice consecutively with my index finger just was not working so I figured I'd have to try and work on some double stuff like I've seen Wooten, or Alain Caron do. So far my ring finger is giving me a hard time since I've never really used it for picking, popping, or anything else before. I can definitely see how mastering this technique and even learning to pop triplets can really pay off down the road.

tdizzle · #7 03-18-2010, 08:55 PM

It sounds like you are approaching slap purely from a technical stand point. Try slapping different kinds of music, and not just the bass lines. Try slapping some Beethoven, Mancini, etc (or any music that you would never think to slap). Approach it more from a musical point of view, rather than just technical.

millerfreak · #8 03-22-2010, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_D

I'm still a neophyte slapper myself I've been trying lately to try and build coordination to do double pops. using my middle and ring finger in succession. Ive been trying to play along to The Ronnie Laws Always There, which has a repeating double pop in there. Trying to pop the C# twice consecutively with my index finger just was not working so I figured I'd have to try and work on some double stuff like I've seen Wooten, or Alain Caron do. So far my ring finger is giving me a hard time since I've never really used it for picking, popping, or anything else before. I can definitely see how mastering this technique and even learning to pop triplets can really pay off down the road.

What you could really try is just to focus on index finger and middle finger. Although its different in each individual, there's no harm doing it that way.

nickbass79 · #9 03-22-2010, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdizzle

It sounds like you are approaching slap purely from a technical stand point. Try slapping different kinds of music, and not just the bass lines. Try slapping some Beethoven, Mancini, etc (or any music that you would never think to slap). Approach it more from a musical point of view, rather than just technical.

I agree with tdizzle. Start listening to music that you normally don't listen to. When I get into a rut, I try to listen to music on the opposite side of the spectrum from what I'm listening to at the time.

For instance, I was listening to a lot of RHCP, Brothers Johnson and Cymande, and started to go into a rut. I changed it up by listening and being inspired by Clutch, Sword, Pantera etc. Slap may not sound ideal but in doing this I'm forced to change my phrasing, tempo, Key notes and so on.

When you go back to jamming, new ideas will be fresh in the head and new musical directions will open up.

g&lplayer · #10 03-22-2010, 10:21 AM

Just wanna add in here Im kinda in the same place right now. I sound REALLY funky and good at slapping but it's more a flea kinda thing and so my thumb hits the string at an angle that would not work for thumping. Ive been trying to learn how to thump but so far hitting the string down from the air and keeping my thumb at an angle (what i do) has sounded much better and funkier to me than hitting the string across the top of it with your thumb parallel to the string (thumping) and ending up with a thumb on the neighboring string. Maybe it just doesnt sound right because you dont just come across it to thump, but still come in at an angle (just not 90 degrees like what i do now) or maybe i need to practice with a pick so that I can hit the string harder when I thump. Any suggestions?