Slap bass question (problem)

[Koki]

I have been slapping over the frets with my thumb(24th fret). Sometimes when I slapped hard I was feeling pain in my thumb. Recently I moved my right hand farther from frets so now i'm slapping near the neck but not on it. So I was wondering where do you slap and did you have any problems like that. Mabe the problem is that my bass has 24 frets.

[Bassic83]

I usually slap on the last frets of the fretboard. If you felt a sharp pain, you might want to try the Mark King technique of wrapping three wraps of electrical tape around the joint of your thumb. I used to do that all the time, but my funk callous has built up enough over the years that I don't need it.

[Chase_The_Bass]

Originally Posted by Bassic83

I usually slap on the last frets of the fretboard. If you felt a sharp pain, you might want to try the Mark King technique of wrapping three wraps of electrical tape around the joint of your thumb. I used to do that all the time, but my funk callous has built up enough over the years that I don't need it.

Ditto about the callous. Theres no prob with 24 frets, look at Victor Wooten.

[christobass 416]

Originally Posted by Bassic83

...my funk callous...

Hah! Great term for that callous.

[labgnat]

i slap behind the last fret closer to the bridge, i dont' hit the fingerboard either, that'll just tear your thumb up more than necessary

[Tony Oppenheim]

Originally Posted by Koki

I have been slapping over the frets with my thumb(24th fret). Sometimes when I slapped hard I was feeling pain in my thumb. Recently I moved my right hand farther from frets so now i'm slapping near the neck but not on it. So I was wondering where do you slap and did you have any problems like that. Mabe the problem is that my bass has 24 frets.

Generally, with the right setup of your bass, and amp, you shouldn't have to slap hard enough for it to hurt in order to get a good sound.

It sounds like you've already been playing slap for a while, and this is just a problem that comes up when you've "slapped hard".

If you find youself slapping hard enough that it hurts I would suggest backing off a little and see if you can find another way to achieve the effect you're going for.

Good luck!

Tony

[sloppyjaloppy]

man there really is no right or wrong way to slap. i generally slap with my thumb at about the ghost fret (little extra piece of neck just after your highest fret) but sometimes ill throw in double thump and all sorts of **** up halfway between my pickups. the different spots create different sounds and tone colours. just do whats right for you. and with the pain thing, stop being a pussy and develop a "funk callous" haha.

[Koki]

Originally Posted by labgnat

i slap behind the last fret closer to the bridge, i dont' hit the fingerboard either, that'll just tear your thumb up more than necessary

I agree. I ve been slaping for a longer time (I'm not a beginner so I know the callouses thing) and when I'm playing higher frets (like 12th fret and above) i have to slap harder to get tha good sound(like when playing the low ones) and then i feel a little pain. So when I stopped slapping at the last frets and started to slap behind the last fret I was born again. When I slap like that the feeling is better and I don't get any unnecessary pain and the feeling like I'm hitting the wall with my thumb.

[iplaybassguitar]

victor wootens advice would be to ease up on the slapping...slapping hard that is...you can play much better if you controll your force too. it will aid you in using economy of motion as well.

[sloppyjaloppy]

Originally Posted by iplaybassguitar

victor wootens advice would be to ease up on the slapping...slapping hard that is...you can play much better if you controll your force too. it will aid you in using economy of motion as well.

i agree. i think this is probably the best ive read so far.