Slapping For Dummies (In otherwords ME)

[joelp2600]

Hi,

I've very, very new to the bass.
I'm messing the slapping a bit, I searched the forum but didn't find an exact answer I needed.

Each time I slap a string, I get a click, the string hits the end of the fret board.

when I slap, should I be coming in at an angle then? Or should I be hitting easier? I looked on some Youtube lessons but couldn't tell exactly what was going on. Do I need to adjust the strengh of my attack so I pull off before the string hits the fretboard??

Thanks in advance.
Joel

[SC Bassboy]

Most guys (myself included) actually hit the string pretty hard. It sounds like your bass may need to be set up. Can you better explain what you mean by "click"? Keep in mind the note is supposed to be purcusive and have a "thump" sound.

[rappa29]

With a good setup, you shouldn't need to strike the string with any extra, aggressive force.

Here's a good reference for learning slapping.

http://www.slapit.com/

[SC Bassboy]

Originally Posted by rappa29

With a good setup, you shouldn't need to strike the string with any extra, aggressive force.

Here's a good reference for learning slapping.

http://www.slapit.com/

+1. If I am understanding the OP correctly the string is fretting out on the fretboard instead of ringing the note he is fretting. Sounds like a set up problem.

And if you buy a DVD I would stay away from the Flea instructional video. You can watch most of it on YouTube and it consists mostly of him and River Pheonix being stoned.

[crow01]

buy an instructional video about slapping. watching somebody I learned my mistakes.

it's also about repetition.
so you hit the E 100 times with thumb. Then each other string.

then E and D, one at a time, slow then fast. That ought do the trick for striking the right string.

it's also about the position of the elbow and the movement of the arm.

I watched all this from a video I bought years ago.

[joelp2600]

Here's a picture of the exact same bass as I'm using.
http://www.musicyo.com/product_images/344_hero.jpg

Notice where the fretboard stops on the 21 fret, the 21 fret is where I seem to be hitting.

Maybe I need to raise my action up then? I'm really not hitting very hard.

What do you guys think..

BTW, Thanks for all the replies.

[joelp2600]

See my response directly above this one..

Do you think this could be a truss rod issue maybe??
I'll try whatever you guys think.

[gre107]

Go to musicdojo.com and take the Slap Courses (there are 3 levels...) with Anthony Wellington (Victor Wooten's Bass player). By the end of that you will be a Slap Master!

[SC Bassboy]

Originally Posted by joelp2600

See my response directly above this one..

Do you think this could be a truss rod issue maybe??
I'll try whatever you guys think.

Again, if the string is striking the fretboard and not sounding a note then your action is off. It's hard to say exactly what is wrong (could be string height or truss rod adjustment or both) but it shouldn't be a big issue. However, if your action is that bad off I would suspect you have a lot of notes higher up on the fretboard that won't play, right?

[joelp2600]

A little past the 12th fret, things get a little buzzy, I still can make out the tone of the note but it's buzzing.

I looked down the neck,the neck seems to curve so the headstock is curving upward slightly, maybe as much as an 1/8 inch curve. Maybe even more.

It's pushing the end of the fretboard up, so it kind of makes sense what's going on. I found a web site that says which way to adjust the truss rod. (it also said a strait neck is desireable for slapping). I'll give that a shot.

I'll raise the action slightly if that doesn't do the trick.

[SC Bassboy]

Originally Posted by joelp2600

A little past the 12th fret, things get a little buzzy, I still can make out the tone of the note but it's buzzing.

I looked down the neck,the neck seems to curve so the headstock is curving upward slightly, maybe as much as an 1/8 inch curve. Maybe even more.

It's pushing the end of the fretboard up, so it kind of makes sense what's going on. I found a web site that says which way to adjust the truss rod. (it also said a strait neck is desireable for slapping). I'll give that a shot.

I'll raise the action slightly if that doesn't do the trick.

You are on the right track. Try to get the neck fairly straight with just a touch of relief (curve) then raise the strings accordingly. If this makes the action way too high you may have to shim the neck. Keep us posted on your progress. And welcome to TB!

[joelp2600]

Thanks for the welcome! You guys are super-helpful.

I'll try and let you guys know what happens.

I've been playing Acoustic guitar for some years now, but man, Bass sounds cool.

[camthebassist]

when thinking about slap bass you should try a few approaches positioning wise. for example, flea goes down on the strings with his thumb more verticle, whereas mark kings is more horizontal. these have defferent effects and differing styles. have a look at guys like marcus miller and especially larry graham. and SC bassboy, i have that dvd and i learned loads from it so i don't know what you're on about. flea's about being spiritual as well as being awesome.

[SC Bassboy]

Originally Posted by camthebassist

when thinking about slap bass you should try a few approaches positioning wise. for example, flea goes down on the strings with his thumb more verticle, whereas mark kings is more horizontal. these have defferent effects and differing styles. have a look at guys like marcus miller and especially larry graham. and SC bassboy, i have that dvd and i learned loads from it so i don't know what you're on about. flea's about being spiritual as well as being awesome.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good DVD and it has some bad ass jams between Flea and Chad. I just remember being fascinated by how stoned River seemed. Didn't mean to offend as I too have lots of respect for Flea.

[joelp2600]

Ok, I've adjusted the truss rod a bit. But it's changing the fretboard VERY slowly if at all. When I hold the E string at the 21 fret, probably at the 10th fret or so, there is a 1/4inch space between the string and the fret. Dunno if that would keep me from slapping all together or not.

I can get a pretty good sound out of the G string. But the E string clicks every time.
I read somewhere that smaller strings were better for slapping.. Can anyone explain??

I'm trying to slap and pull off as quick as possible so I don't push the string down much, is that what I should be practicing?

Thanks,
Joel

[SC Bassboy]

Ok Joel, sounds like you need some help. First off you need to completely loosen the strings on your bass. This will take all the tension off the neck and allow the changes you've made with the truss rod to make a difference. Loosen the strings, adjust the truss rod and then tune everything back up. You will probably notice the neck has moved a bit. I set my basses up so that you can hold a note on the 1st fret and the 21st fret (or close to it) at the same time and have roughly 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch gap between the bottom of the string and the fret wire at the 9th fret. Give that a try.

[SC Bassboy]

Joel, did you ever get your problem fixed?