Slap and pop questions...

[Brown Leather]

So question from a bass player. I've been playing the 4 string for 2 years; just normal finger strumming, but I'm trying to get into slap and pop. But a lot of the slap and pop tutorials online are woefully vague and undetailed, and I'm having a lot of trouble getting that really punchy, bouncy kind of slap and pop sound.

First off, when I slap, should I slap it so hard that the string hits and bounces off the neck?

Same with the pop; should the string hit and bounce off the neck as well?

When you pop, do you use hammer-ons or pop again?

And should I modify my amp any specific way? Should I set my bass, mid, lo, hi and treb differently?

Any advice is appreciated.

[drmckool]

Alright let me try and hit this

1. slap hard enough to get a clear sound out of the bass that has the dynamics you want. however; i believe that it is unnecessary to hit it that hard (it's hard to visualize without touching a bass how i do it myself)

2. don't pop that hard or you'll break the string quickly

3. a mix of the two depending on what you are doing

4. you could scoop the mids but it's not neccessary, just try and have some lower frequencies turned up

[alexofc69]

Originally Posted by Brown Leather

So question from a bass player. I've been playing the 4 string for 2 years; just normal finger strumming, but I'm trying to get into slap and pop. But a lot of the slap and pop tutorials online are woefully vague and undetailed, and I'm having a lot of trouble getting that really punchy, bouncy kind of slap and pop sound.

First off, when I slap, should I slap it so hard that the string hits and bounces off the neck?

Same with the pop; should the string hit and bounce off the neck as well?

When you pop, do you use hammer-ons or pop again?

And should I modify my amp any specific way? Should I set my bass, mid, lo, hi and treb differently?

Any advice is appreciated.

could be lots of things - bass set up is crucial. Most slappers tend to like low action.
Yes, the string should bounce off the neck on both slap and pop. Also, it depends on what you are playing. But, you can hammer on or pop. Depends on the passage and what you are trying to express.
Go on you tube - there are tons of vids to help you learn the technique.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK_P4NQrxcA

As for EQ settings - you want to boost bass around 2oclock, cut mids down to 9 oclock and highs around 1oclock.

Slap on!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOTy3yhCylw