RH Slapping Technique: Thumb v Wrist

[chaosMK]

I've been watching a lot of videos on youtube these days.

I noticed some expert bassists slap with an almost thumb-only movement. Others use a bit of wrist twist.

I tend to use a lot of wrist movement in my slapping, keeping my thumb locked in position, and adjusting the angle depending on how aggressive I am playing. I often slap complicated and rapid metal-oriented rhythms (rather than using a pick to do it) and rarely "pop." This works for me, but I am not all that educated in the classic techniques.

So what's the right technique for slapping with your thumb? How much thumb/wrist do you personally use, and why?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

the littler the movement the faster you can go...

you dont have to move that much in all reality, sometimes you move more to show off if people are watching...

if you can see some in my video you can get an idea of what I do...

i can make another with a more close up of the right hand... but also, alot of slap sound / groove is done in the left hand as well...

I move my thumb away to make for more sustain in the notes etc... or left hand tapping... and also a bad habit.. eh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIEP9CFLcS8

[aesir6]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

the littler the movement the faster you can go...

you dont have to move that much in all reality, sometimes you move more to show off if people are watching...

if you can see some in my video you can get an idea of what I do...

i can make another with a more close up of the right hand... but also, alot of slap sound / groove is done in the left hand as well...

I move my thumb away to make for more sustain in the notes etc... or left hand tapping... and also a bad habit.. eh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIEP9CFLcS8

I commented your video. Thats some sweet playing man!

[Chili]

it all depends on your style really, louis johnsons wrist and whole arm moves, he just likes to let loose, but someone like marcus miller keeps there hand very close to the body usually, but both ways werk in there own way

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by aesir6

I commented your video. Thats some sweet playing man!

THANK YOU!

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by Chili

it all depends on your style really, louis johnsons wrist and whole arm moves, he just likes to let loose, but someone like marcus miller keeps there hand very close to the body usually, but both ways werk in there own way

It also depends alot on the bass your playing... 4 / 5 / 6 string etc...

When I play my 6, I find my self muteing my B string with the palm of my hand or with my left hand fingers laying over all of them...

4 string you have alot more flexability as far as not having to deal with that added rumble...

[aesir6]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

THANK YOU!

Your quite welcome.

[Warwick19]

Your thumb ought to be paralell the strings slapin funk, playing as you are severley limits your speed etc. and you have to waste effort muteing strings. (that includes 6 string basses and anything else, Bill Dickens slaps without really needing to mute on a 9 string bass)

[iplaybassguitar]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

the littler the movement the faster you can go...

you dont have to move that much in all reality, sometimes you move more to show off if people are watching...

if you can see some in my video you can get an idea of what I do...

i can make another with a more close up of the right hand... but also, alot of slap sound / groove is done in the left hand as well...

I move my thumb away to make for more sustain in the notes etc... or left hand tapping... and also a bad habit.. eh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIEP9CFLcS8

nice video...something to work on tho, dont slap with your thumb up and down perpendicular to the strings like that...try and hold it so its parallel. it will help a lot with control, consistency, speed, and endurance, also it will be impossible to add in a double thumb lick in that position if you would so wish.

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Originally Posted by Warwick19

Your thumb ought to be paralell the strings slapin funk, playing as you are severley limits your speed etc. and you have to waste effort muteing strings. (that includes 6 string basses and anything else, Bill Dickens slaps without really needing to mute on a 9 string bass)

Ill have to see how he plays... My thumb only touches the string it is attacking... The other strings being to ring, especialy the low b... Thats really all I am keeping quiet... Kind of like when playing a piano if pressing the pedal, playing one note, alot of others ring...

[GSRLessard14]

I dunno how people slap with their thumb perpendicular to the strings.