Slap technique

JoshB8116 · #1 10-15-2011, 06:23 AM

Hey guys. Recently i've been trying to teach myself abit of slap bass. I'm doing ok i guess, i realise it's probably the hardest bass technique and it's going to take time to get it down.

My question is: E string you slap, D and G strings you pop. What do you do with the A string? It feels most comfortable to pop it with my index finger. Is this generally considered to be the best technique or do most people slap that string too? I've tried that and it's very hard.

Using my 1 slap (E) 3 pop (A,D,G) technique however, i can't seem to get the desired sound. For example, i tried playing Rage Against The Machine - Take The Power Back and it sounds like i should be slapping more.

Any hints/tips for me TB?

mcblahflooper94 · #2 10-15-2011, 06:29 AM

You don't have to pop the d/g string. I actually slap the d string, lol. Get more comfortable, and don't worry about what you should do.Remember: THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY.

Of course, there is for tapping, but that's a whole other story ;p Also, for slapping, hammerons aren't the cheap way out, they're part of the technique(Unless you're Victor Wooten.)

Johannes Oehl · #3 10-15-2011, 06:41 AM

In most cases, it is most usefull to use the thump on the E- and A-string, the index on the D und the middle finger on the G-string.

Thats a convenient way to play if you want to play octaves for example:

G------------------2-----2----
D----2------2-----------------
A---------------0-----0-------
E--0-----0--------------------

T I T I T M T M

JoshB8116 · #4 10-15-2011, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcblahflooper94

You don't have to pop the d/g string. I actually slap the d string, lol. Get more comfortable, and don't worry about what you should do.Remember: THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG WAY.

Of course, there is for tapping, but that's a whole other story ;p Also, for slapping, hammerons aren't the cheap way out, they're part of the technique(Unless you're Victor Wooten.)

No you're right, there isn't. I think i'm just going to have to experiement.

I've tried slapping all strings aswell and i find this is both comfortable and produces the best sound, but only when i hit the string that im intending to hit. Alot of the time i'm catching other strings on the way down. To combat this i slightly modified my thumb position which increased my accuracy but produced a less slap like sound since i was then striking the string with the pad of my thumb almost, rather than my knuckle.

I think experimentation and practise is the key. I'll persevere

Thanks for your post.

JoshB8116 · #5 10-15-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johannes Oehl

In most cases, it is most usefull to use the thump on the E- and A-string, the index on the D und the middle finger on the G-string.

Thats a convenient way to play if you want to play octaves for example:

G------------------2-----2----
D----2------2-----------------
A---------------0-----0-------
E--0-----0--------------------

T I T I T M T M

Yeah this is what i assumed was the most conventional method. The trouble i have is that when i play that second octave, i'm catching the E string with the base of my thumb as i'm striking the A string with my knuckle. However, if i turn my hand to the side so it's more parrallel with the strings, i get an accurate slap on the A string but i struggle to pop the G string (matron). It's just not comfortable for me for some reason.

mcblahflooper94 · #6 10-15-2011, 07:07 AM

This is kind of contradicting what I said about their being no true way to do it right, but if you slap with your side knuckle of your thumb (dunno how to say it) you'll get the best accuracy (later).

Diplowmatt · #7 10-15-2011, 09:03 AM

I found this to be helpful.

Marcus Miller - Scoop theme - slow version (bass) - YouTube

rockosocko · #8 10-15-2011, 09:18 AM

There are some really good books out there that can help you; two of the best are Slap It and Funk Bass, both come with cds for you to play along with. The advantage to the books is that they break down the technique and provide you with examples for you to build a vocabulary with. Once you get that under your belt, it's much easier to take the technique in any direction you'd like to.

john grey · #9 10-15-2011, 11:48 AM

I agree w/ Johannes Oehl as a standard. However I have had no problem using my thumb down to the "D" or popping up to the "A". The more you practice, the more flexibility you'll have.
Johannes Oehl has some great practice material as well.

Slapping is simply something you have to do a great deal of practice with. Try open string major scales just using your thumb. Or practice little themes songs or 12 bar turn-a-rounds; almost anything, so that you can use your thumb with the same fluidity that you use any method.

I had found that at first I developed a callous on my thumb and after some years I lost it, yet my Slap was quite a bit better. My point here is that once you begin to understand how to get that sound your after, it really doesn't take a knuckle-breaking "whack" to sound fine.

One issue is that you "sing" the rhythm in your head so that you don't get "stuck" not being able to change up from one agenda to the next. This is important when no recordings are available.

TDSLaBassiste · #10 10-15-2011, 12:12 PM

Personally, I slap E, A, and D and pop the G. It's just a matter of comfort. I used to only slap my E but as I got more comfortable, I was able to do it on the higher strings.

Buxtehude · #11 10-15-2011, 06:21 PM

I slap all strings including the G and pop all strings even the E. They are two distinct sounds and should be available on every string. As well as thumbing scales, try poping scales on all strings as well.

Most players improve when they realize that slap style does not have to be an aggressive hammering of the bass. Playing a bit softer will lead to more accuracy. Wooten is probably a better technical model than Flea in this respect. Although I love Flea's playing, it's an idiosyncratic style that works for him. Marcus Miller is another good exemplar of controlled (as opposed to aggressive) slap style.

JoshB8116 · #12 10-16-2011, 04:43 AM

Thanks for all your replies guys. I'll be sure to take it all on board.

Now if you'll excuse me, i have some practising to do.

john grey · #13 10-16-2011, 03:43 PM

Drummer material helps a great deal.

Audiophage · #14 10-16-2011, 06:24 PM

Slapping and popping can be done on any string, but the most conventional way to go about things is to slap the E and A strings and pop the D and G. At first it is harder to slap the thinner strings and harder to get a good pop out of the thicker ones, but with practice you can do whatever you want.

seventhframe · #15 10-17-2011, 11:18 AM

Slap Technique on Vimeo this is what I do, hope it helps

Diplowmatt · #16 10-18-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventhframe

Slap Technique on Vimeo this is what I do, hope it helps

That was pretty helpful. Thanks.

It really helps on string popping independance. I'd start out doing what was done in the video, then I'd slap E, pop G, then slap A, pop G, then repeat. I was trying to time myself how long I could go without screwin' up lol

**peledog** · #17 10-20-2011, 12:01 AM

Find this DVD on eBay or Amazon

Alexis Sklarevski Alex Sklarevski Slap Bass Program - YouTube

The Slap Bass Program With Alexis Sklarevski (DVD, 2007) | eBay

I've been playing for years, and still haven't mastered what's on this DVD. It's a great resource. Remember take everything slowly, then speed up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aK-Q...eature=related