Slap Technique

[Murphbass]

As a bassist who normally sticks to straight fingerstyle playing, I was wondering if anyone might have an insight to a problem I've encountered with slapping. When I practice slapping/popping, I feel that I get a good defined sound at a level equal to my fingerstyle playing. However, onstage my bandmates have mentioned that my volume drops a little, or at least there's a tonal shift which is perceived as 'less bottom.'

I've thought of a couple reasons why this may be. First, sitting versus standing (though I try to keep the strap so that the bass rides at a similar height compared to sitting with it). Second, I learned to slap on a Fender 4-string while I now play a wider necked 5-string (a Lakland 55-94). 4-strings always feel more comfortable to me for slapping (fretboard radius?) Last, I know it's very popular to change the EQ curve for slapping. A scooped midrange gives more of the traditional slap tone. Do players also add gain when slapping? Or will the scooped curve naturally 'sit in the mix' better?

I would like to improve my onstage slap technique even though out of a night's worth of music I may only slap one tune. Anyone encounter a similar problem? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Lakland 55-94 Fretted Birdseye Maple
Lakland 55-94 Fretless Ebony
Alembic F1X Preamp
Crown Power Amp
Eden 410XLT

http://www.halband.com/

[Baryonyx]

Hmm..I had a different problem...when I first started slapping I was way too loud compared to my fingerstyle parts. It was all about dynamics, something I got better at as I learned to control my thumb.

Although, if you feel that the bottom drops out when you slap, try maybe using a "bottom heavy" blend with the pickups, coming mainly from the neck pup but with a little bridge added in to keep the treble.

For me, I don't go for the mid scoop 100% of the time. I do a lot of tapping and fingerstyle amidst my slapping (I play a wide range of stuff most of the time). I can go through Mark king, Stuart Hamm, Stanley Clarke, Vail Johnson and more in one practice...as I'm sure you'll agree, there is a hug amount of tone shaping to do there.

Often, when I'm not tapping, I'll cut the mids, for a more "grooving" sound. I find that sits back better and kinda blends with the drums a little, and this is very effective for creating a "wall of sound" type thing. When I am doing tapped or chordal pieces, often I won't cut my mids back, to maintain a nice level of defintion.

Adding gain is not a usual practive, but it can be great, I love playing around with my effects...maybe use a little chorus for the fingerstyle and then engage delay when you start to slap...it's all about being creative!

[nickg1823]

When slapping try striking through the string as opposed to just hitting it. I have had a similar problem and this is what worked for me. It's a little awkward at first but after some practice it becomes more natural.

[Scot]

I have an onboard J-Retro preamp installed on my J bass. I usually add some bottom and some top for slap. Not too much, just a little. If it's a song where I have to slap and play finger style I'll add the top and bottom and play a little closer to the bridge with the left hand as needed to balance it out.

I've always slapped about a 1/2" or so towards the bridge from the neck and not right over the fretboard like a lot of slappers do. I think that helps get a more full tone and it's always felt more natural for me to do it that way.