Slapping problem?

[fsf347]

Alrighty, so iv began to play slap again, and what better dude to learn from than Flea!?

My problem is that with his fast playing style, I dont think my right hand can keep up.

Take Backwoods for example:


--------------------------------------------
--------4--2--4--4-----2--4----------------
--------------------------------------------
-2----x--x---x--x---------------------------


The problem that I run into with this line, and others, is that while im popping the notes on the D string just fine, my slapping of the muted notes is not so good. At approx 120 bpm and the line consisting of straight 16th notes, my wrist and thumb strike the string in a less forceful downward movement, not a slapping movement.

Iv tried practicing this line and others at a slower pace (and the line will sound completely clean), but I always run back into the same problem once I start to pick up the speed. So Iv come to the conclusion it is a technique problem. Any input?

[puddin tame]

uhhh

practice slow

gadually increase speed?

[Mayers]

Flea bounce out of the strings instead of going throught like Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke and Alain Caron.

so yeah with is position ( his thumb is down instead of parallel to the strings like the guys I cited ) it is easy to do fast octave run but it is limiting for the more accrobatic move.

[pbass337]

Originally Posted by Mayers

Flea bounce out of the strings instead of going throught like Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke and Alain Caron.

so yeah with is position ( his thumb is down instead of parallel to the strings like the guys I cited ) it is easy to do fast octave run but it is limiting for the more accrobatic move.

+1

its not your technique its flea's. i do the same thing as him and my teacher always yells at me for it

[fsf347]

Can someone explain in more detail what this "thumb down" technique looks like?

[guroove]

Originally Posted by fsf347

Can someone explain in more detail what this "thumb down" technique looks like?

[fsf347]

^^
thank you. and what technique would that be opposed to (keeping thumb parallel?)

[JimK]

Yes...and thumb UP (perpendicular to the strings). In the '70s, it was explained that you hold your hand as though you were "thumbing for a ride". Now strike the "E" string.
...a lot of the craziness started with Stanley Clarke & "Lopsy Lu" (Open-Hammer Plucks). Then others ran off with that technique (like Wooten).

Two guys with slap/pop technique & teacher cred-
Dave Larue
Alex Sklarevski

...they have a way of breaking it down & making it very approachable.
For example, Flea's thing on "Aeroplane" is only a constant thumb-pop motion with the RH. The combination of muted/played notes done with the LH is where it's at.


Way back, Larue's column in Bass Player had a great article or two on Left-Hand Slap & how to integrate that into the thumps & pops employed by the RH.