Is Slapping Still Cool?

[lefty007]

This is an honest question/poll, posted mainly for curiosity and fun. Please let's keep it light. . .


I'm wondering if slapping is still considered to be "cool."

I enjoy listening and watching to cats like Victor Wooten, Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, and Marcus Miller. To me, Louis and Larry are the originators of the technique, and Marcus and Victor, in my opinion, are one of the few that have taken the technique to new levels while still keeping it musical. (Strictly my opinion.) I don't like super fast, repetitive slapping, like what I see Mark King, or Buddha Dickens doing. Super fast and precise, but it's all based in patterns and can lack musical relevance sometimes. Fun to watch, nevertheless.

My poll/question arises as I recently had a talk with two professional, touring and recording bass players from my town. In the conversation, they mentioned and agreed that slapping was an outdated technique, and "nobody uses slap anymore. . . and band leaders don't want it either."

Of course, I was in shock, because I think technique should be free and while it is true that you don't see a lot of slapping in mainstream music, it obviously is well and healthy in funk, gospel, jam bands, and some forms of electric jazz.

But this got me thinking if there really is a common, current trend that it is understood that slapping should be avoided.

[rockwarnick]

YES! i dont care what anyone else thinks. it's fun as hell. I think it's cool.

[Baryonyx]

Yes, guys like Mark King and Stuart Hamm are ace. Slapping is indeed cool!

[The_Owl]

I think the right amount of slap bass can be really cool, and spice up songs when used moderatly.

However, I notice in music stores and fairs that all the teenage kids (Ok, I'm only 20, but I've played since I was 8) tend to slap their brains out when given the chance. It seems like noone has told them the importance of keeping a groove. It's the same with young guitarists who shred at the speed of light, but when you ask them to play a song with you, they don't know how.

What they seem to have in common is the "practicing scales/slap excersises alone in my room"-thing. A lot of "desktop guitarists" I guess don't play with others very much. In my book, playing with a band for an hour beats 4-5 hours of practicing alone.

But yes, I consider slapping cool, when used with moderation.

[spindizzy]

Well at least one of your choices is "techniques are tools". This is how it should be viewed. The music dictates the technique (unless you are doing the writing and you have chosen to write for a particular technique). To know something is one thing to know when to use it another. These are just tools, not fads to live and then die, they are perpetual. Remember you are talking about a technique that is, for all intents and purposes, over forty years old. To think that it has gone the distance yet is not practical. It may be used less right now but it can easily be rediscovered or used in something popular amongst the buying public and suddenly it will be all over the place and those bandleaders they spoke of will be going "I can't use you if you can't slap!!".

Spin

[*smb]

You won't catch me slapping.

[T-MOST]

Originally Posted by rockwarnick

YES! i dont care what anyone else thinks. it's fun as hell. I think it's cool.

+1

Try playing a set of R&B, Smooth Jazz or Gospel without slapping! Why can't those who can't or don't want to slap just be comfortable with that fact and stop hating??

[stealth51]

Slap is ok but I rather hear a killer finger style bass line any day.

[T-MOST]

Originally Posted by stealth51

Slap is ok but I rather hear a killer finger style bass line any day.

Thats just as cool!

[pointbass]

Slapping is just another technique for any bassist to use. And like any technique, it has its good points and limitations.

I believe the problem with slapping/popping is that it doesn't take a lot to become reasonably proficient at it, and when played properly it does have a certain "wow" factor to it. So, with a little dedicated practice a bass player can go into their local GC and sound/look cool (or so they think )

There is, IMO, way too much slapping going on in the typical wank-fest locations, like GC, Sam Ash or any other place like that. Even at the assorted GTG's I've been to, slapping is the preferred wankery. Maybe it's just me, but when I'm trying out a bass I like to hear if the intonation is good, if the harmonics are clear, how the tone changes between playing at the bridge vs the neck pick-ups, etc. Wank slapping isn't giving me any of that info ....

But it's definitely a technique that has its place, and I use it at times when it fits the tune. But it can't be the whole bag-o-tricks .......

[T-MOST]

I believe the problem with slapping/popping is that it doesn't take a lot to become reasonably proficient at it,


LOL, I wonder what you call reasonably proficient.

[opivy3056]

the sound annoys me now. I've heard it too much and I'm burnt out on it's appeal.

While it is a useful technique. And I'm guilty of using it every blue moon.....although I cant see myself using it for more than one little part in one or two songs.

I think 2-handed tapping and flamenco have the potential to be a lot cooler sounding upon mastering.

[rappa29]

"Try playing a set of R&B, Smooth Jazz or Gospel without slapping!"

Yes, slapping in the right context is definitely still 'cool'. Especially as stated above or if your band plays any semblence of funk\r&b\soul.

"However, I notice in music stores and fairs that all the teenage kids (Ok, I'm only 20, but I've played since I was 8) tend to slap their brains out when given the chance. It seems like noone has told them the importance of keeping a groove"

This is when "Slapping Goes Wrong!".

[m3t4lhed]

never ever overdo anything. and if slapping and popping is not overdone then it'll kick ass. i love slapping and popping but i hate it when ppl take that technique for granted keep using it unnecessarily.

[spideyjg]

Originally Posted by pointbass

Slapping is just another technique for any bassist to use. And like any technique, it has its good points and limitations.

I believe the problem with slapping/popping is that it doesn't take a lot to become reasonably proficient at it, and when played properly it does have a certain "wow" factor to it. So, with a little dedicated practice a bass player can go into their local GC and sound/look cool (or so they think )

There is, IMO, way too much slapping going on in the typical wank-fest locations, like GC, Sam Ash or any other place like that. Even at the assorted GTG's I've been to, slapping is the preferred wankery. Maybe it's just me, but when I'm trying out a bass I like to hear if the intonation is good, if the harmonics are clear, how the tone changes between playing at the bridge vs the neck pick-ups, etc. Wank slapping isn't giving me any of that info ....

But it's definitely a technique that has its place, and I use it at times when it fits the tune. But it can't be the whole bag-o-tricks .......

Everything Ed said. Read it again.

Jim

[Christopher]

I think it's more fun to do than to listen to. Yes, it has it's place, but I'd get fatigued listening to someone do it in every song, even someone like Marcus or Mark King.

The touring pros have it right - for most pop/jazz music, it's not required 95% of the time.

[FoHBass]

Voted "techniques are tools." Slapping appeals to the showoff side of me. But I don't do it in public too much. Out of 12 songs or so my band plays, I slap in two. One for a whole verse (but still holding the groove with the drums) and the other as a quick two second fill. I might slap a little more sitting around the house with my bass, but that's about it. Definitely something to be used in moderation.

It bothers me how it's become the "wanker" thing to do for kids in GC or Sam Ash. Every time I visit my singer at Sam Ash, I die a little inside when I hear some kid slapping poorly, and then talk about how great their skills are because they can "play" a Fieldy line. I thought I'd stop seeing that crap when I got out of high school

[m3t4lhed]

Originally Posted by FoHBass

Voted "techniques are tools." Slapping appeals to the showoff side of me. But I don't do it in public too much. Out of 12 songs or so my band plays, I slap in two. One for a whole verse (but still holding the groove with the drums) and the other as a quick two second fill. I might slap a little more sitting around the house with my bass, but that's about it. Definitely something to be used in moderation.

It bothers me how it's become the "wanker" thing to do for kids in GC or Sam Ash. Every time I visit my singer at Sam Ash, I die a little inside when I hear some kid slapping poorly, and then talk about how great their skills are because they can "play" a Fieldy line. I thought I'd stop seeing that crap when I got out of high school

would you consider flea as a wanker? i mean when he's playing he's all over the place. he is tight but kinda overdoes and shows off a lot

[CrashClint]

As long as Victor Wooten and Flea are alive, slappin is still cool in my opinion.

[Dr. Cheese]

Slapping for me tends to be something i do when I am just playing around. I'm one of those guys who slap alot at GC. I'm not a showoff, I just get a kick out of it.

The funny thing is that I don't slap very much when I am accompanying someone. My wife had to make me slap for a our choir (people enjoyed it.) When I'm playing in a serious situation, slapping is definitely just another technique, and I far from over use it.

One thing I have really noticed is how little neo-soul and hip hop uses slap. Many of these guys have also gone back to four string basses too. I guess it goes to show that everything goes in cycles.