Playing Drum Parts on Bass

[gmahoog]

I recently purchased "The FunkMasters: The James Brown Rhythm Sections". After listening to the CDs I decided that I'd learn the drum parts on the bass by using my thumb for the bass drum and my pointer or middle finger playing the snare. Kind of a slap exercise but I'm not hitting the strings hard. Great syncopation in those rhythms.

I played around with the idea of recording what I do and then play the bass over my "drum" bass. I also play guitar so I could even record that too, but I'm probably getting a bit too rambunctious with my thoughts. The bass/drum thing is really cool though.

Has anybody else ever done this for rhythmic practice?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Sure- a lot of solo/looping bass players do this a lot, as it can sometimes sound a bit empty without a rhythm going. Here's a couple clips where I make a short rhythm to play over- I use different hand placement in each of them to change the sound of percussion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7gu-CYNUqQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYl0Gj3ieR8

[JimmyM]

that is exactly how larry graham invented slapping.