Slap noob in the house!

[Metal Chuck]

Well I've been playing bass for about a year without really looking at slap at all. But last week something in a Red Hot Chili Pepper video inspired me to give slap a shot, so I've been practising slap this week.

What I would like is some songs with slap bass involved, I've already learned Higher Ground and would like to hear of others.

Thanks,

Charles

P.S: I'm looking into getting a 5 string Warwick Streamer, would the 5 stringer's string space make it near impossible for me to slap? Or will I be able to adapt stylistically?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

It depends on the bass you are going for, some of them have tighter spring spacing then others... I prefer more spring space, im just used to it from playing upright bass...

But really any bass you can adapt too... its all personal preferance...

As far as slapping goes, I would recommend learing technique first before the songs... Check out a book - Funk Bass by John Leibman... Its really helpfull...

[labgnat]

songs to slap
most of primus, red hot chili peppers. some 311
my name is mud is a good easy slap to to learn and if you get a 5 string that will work perfectly considering most of the slapping on that song is on the low B string. www.slapit.com i believe it is has a online instruction or you can get a book and cd, supposed to be the best slap instruction.

[Disco_Gee]

Originally Posted by SLaPiNFuNK

...As far as slapping goes, I would recommend learing technique first before the songs... Check out a book - Funk Bass by John Leibman... Its really helpfull...

+1

I have that book, and I'm slowly working my way through it. If you put in the effort you will end up with a well refined slap technique. I'm only half way through and I can see, hear, and feel the difference in my technique already.

[Jereth]

A fifth string shouldn't stop you from slapping. A lot of bassists slap on 5 strings. Flea used a 5-strign MM for a short perioud. Ryan Martinie manages pretty well...

[pretaanluxis]

Originally Posted by Metal Chuck

I'm looking into getting a 5 string Warwick Streamer, would the 5 stringer's string space make it near impossible for me to slap?

The Streamer Stage I has a 20mm string spacing!
Also Dirk Lance (of Incubus) and Stuart Zender and Nick Fyffe (of Jamiroquai) did fine with the 16.5 mm spacing of the Stage II

[ScottyAx800]

I bought a 5 string lakland partially due to it having 19 mm string spacing, the same as on a traditionally spaced 4 string such as a fender. The 19 mm spacing feels more comfortable to me than a narrower or wider spacing.

[chuck953688]

Buy "Slap It"...it's a great book that starts from the very beginning as far as building your technique with lots of good exercises, etc., and then gives something like 70ish slap lines to hone your chops on. Also, if you're into the Peppers, give "Can't Stop" a try. It's a nice fun tune to play that will get you used to slapping on the A string, something that I think a lot of beginners have trouble with (accuracy and such, grazing the E when trying to slap on the A)