Slapping on a 5-string?

[BuffaloBass]

That's technique. I learned to keep my knuckles parralel to the fretboard. If you've ever heard anyone say "my hands/fingers were too small for the 5'er", it was a matter of not keeping the plane of their hand parrallel. Not having huge hands, but when my knuckles are parallel to the fretboard, my fingers extend well beyond the low b. Guess I could play a 6 or 7 string comfortably. Hand position is key to the muting you need on a 5.

Anyway, having fingers 1 or 2 draped across the entire width of the fretboard is key on a slappin' 5'er. And that requires parallel knuckles. (Anthony Wellington) Other than that I dont notice much difference between 4 and 5. Dont much slap the low B though, a fretted thump once in a while.

[thumbin]

If you think its hard on a 5 string try a 9 string bass :P