Is slap bass annoying to anyone else?

[mr_goodbomb]

I don't want to start an argue, and I'm not trolling, it's just something I notice when looking at bass reviews on YouTube. A lot of videos "demoing" instruments are playing slap bass, and it really doesn't tell me much about the way the instrument itself sounds. It's like someone playing guitar who only plays leads and solos to try the instrument out.

Personally, I don't think slap bass has a lot of practical uses in many genres. There's absolutely funk, R&B, some pop music, and of course everyone will point fingers to Flea and, say, weirdness like Primus... but as far as rock bands go, the players who play slap bass and are known for it are known for it BECAUSE it's original and unique. If every band in that genre had the same style of bass playing, it would suck. It's unique because it's good AND uncommon.

I dunno, as I said, I'm not trying to troll or pick any fights, but when it comes to playing bass, it's something I think about fairly often. It's like guitarists who only ever want to play complicated leads or solos. Sure, there are a few genres of music that it's good for, but I'd prefer to play good MUSIC than to be limited to a few styles of music and one specific sound because I want to play stuff that makes ME, as an individual player, not the entire band, sound cool.

Anyone else have similar thoughts?

[5StringBlues]

No.

[Muaguana]

I like slap when it's used tastefully and complements the music, just like tapping or any other technique. When it's over-used, or when it seems that the bass player is slapping simply because he can (OOOH, LOOK AT ME SLAP YO!) then it gets annoying. I think a lot of younger bass players are in the mindset that slap = good bass player, so that's all they focus on. I even had a bass player on Youtube tell me I had to learn to slap to be considered a good bass player. Though that wasn't nearly as obnoxious as hearing people in GC play "Higher Ground" by RHCP and call it funk.

Let's get this straight: Slap =/ funk, and Higher Ground =/ funk.

[dmusic148]

Yes.

[phillipkregg]

Anything done poorly is annoying.

[Slaine01]

Its only annoying if you can't do it.........


....sits back and waits......

[OOZMAN]

I find it annoying because I can't do it. Like masturbating on a bus - it'd be great if I could... but I can't.

[Jonyak]

I find people who only do it to show off annoying.

I find people who think because I don't slap all the time I am a lesser bass player annoying.

do I find slap bass annoying... no.

[LarkinLondon]

[jwr]

I personally like it and want to improve my skills at slap bass. I don't find it easier or harder than anything else with the bass though.

[MisterV619]

Only annoying if you have slap envy

[JAUQO III-X]

To slap or not to slap/why I hate it

[WJGreer]

Any style of music played poorly is unappealing to me.

Any style of music played well is appealing to me.

The preponderance of slap YouTube videos contain terrible playing, therefore I don't like them. It has little to do with the slap.

[Sparkdog]

It's only annoying because it's been overdone.

If you've ever been to YouTube or Guitar Center you know this is true

[plangentmusic]

This is the thing...

Slapping is of an era. It is rarely heard in modern music, so if you do it, you better do it in a way where it doesn't scream 1989!!!

And using it in genres that are before slapping ever occured is just dumb.

HAVING SAID THAT...

It's a technique unique to the bass and perfect for soloing, PLUS, it's a good way to get a feel for a bass.


So there.

[waleross]

The first song I ever slapped on was "Just the two of Us" way back then early 1980's it wasn't done as often as it is today. Its a cool effect and breaks up the sound when done right. None of my current basses are set up for it but I can get out a few slaps if needed. I can see being annoyed when its used like a one trick poney. By the way +1 on the TROLL SPRAY....

[xmaddogx]

Originally Posted by OOZMAN

I find it annoying because I can't do it. Like masturbating on a bus - it'd be great if I could... but I can't.

THAT is hilarious!

[WJGreer]

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

Slapping is of an era. It is rarely heard in modern music, so if you do it, you better do it in a way where it doesn't scream 1989!!!

People always say this, and I disagree. It's rarely heard in some genres of music where it used to be heard more, but still prevalent in others. TV and radio jingles are full of it, as is smooth jazz (which has a very large audience, I know what you are thinking...), among others.

I will say that a fault of slapping all along, at least typically, has been that it de-emphasizes creative or tasty note choices - which can make it sound tired. But that just goes back to my first comment about whether or not it's played well.

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

To slap or not to slap/why I hate it

[guitfiddle0409]

Originally Posted by OOZMAN

I find it annoying because I can't do it. Like masturbating on a bus - it'd be great if I could... but I can't.

So far this is the most authoritative and intelligent post on this thread.