Struggling with slap bass, please advise!

[jazz_man]

Hi,

I am trying to learn slap bass guitar, but I think I may have the wrong type of guitar for slap. For example I have been working on the technique for a while but I can't seem to get any volume out of the strings I slap. I have a couple of instruction videos which are excellent but when the guy on the video slaps even very lightly there is a big sound.

Is my problem my guitar pickups? Do I need a guitar with certain pickups, or is my problem solely down to my poor technique.

I only get a bit of a sound when I get a really good crisp bounce off the string with my thumb but to hit the string so perfectly every single time seems an impossibility.

I would be very thankful if someone could point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

[shostkontrabass]

You're bouncing off the string? Try thumping through the string instead of hitting it and instantly coming off. Just throw your thumb hard at the string and let it hit into the next string. Hope that helps!

[twangchief]

What type of bass do you have? What type of strings; roundwound? ...old or new strings?

We'll start there.

[Lonnybass]

There's really no "wrong" kind of bass for slap - it's a matter of technique and feel. Definitely not something that just comes overnight, and there's a certain amount of wrist/arm strength that needs to be built up over time in order to get the proper percussive feel. Tell us some more about how you are trying to do it and maybe we can help figure out some things to correct in the approach.

Lonnybass

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by shostkontrabass

You're bouncing off the string? Try thumping through the string instead of hitting it and instantly coming off. Just throw your thumb hard at the string and let it hit into the next string. Hope that helps!

In my opinion this is not really the solution. This technique is completely different to the "bouncing thumb" technique and has a different tone and application. I don't think that one is a substitute for the other.

My advice to the OP is to keep practicing what you are doing. Slow right down and concentrate on getting those "crisp bounces". Take your time with it and eventually the technique will become easier. What seems impossible when you start becomes something you don't even think about over time, but you must be patient.

I wouldn't worry too much about which bass you are using or pickups. I can slap pretty much any bass with any setup, so it really is just a matter of practice.

[shostkontrabass]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

In my opinion this is not really the solution. This technique is completely different to the "bouncing thumb" technique and has a different tone and application. I don't think that one is a substitute for the other.

Yeah, you're right. Thanks for calling me on that!

[Williamsburgjim]

..probably one of the biggest gains in my mind is to learn to totally relax your wrist AND thumb; both physically and mentally. Guitar set-up will make a difference just starting out, but ultimately should not have that great of an impact and will become more personal preference... . I'd suggest shaking-out your wrist and thumb for awhile, almost exagerating it. At some point you should feel totally unencumbered and not self-conscious by relaxing yourself physically; then work on the 'feel' of slap bass which will take you to the 'right' level.

You have to feel the emotion in order to get funky, then you'll naturally relax; you'll WANT to slap. In the 70's cover band I'm in, when it's time for the dance set, if I'm not feeling it, I can't get my groove-on. Consequently, I may not slap as much.... . You'll be supprised how much of it is mental. Get one of those cheap keyboards with drum loops built-in and play against it. You already have the instructional videos. Don't get discouraged.

Jimbob

_____________

Ampeg Member #12

www.myspace.com/jimmcgreehan

[trtrzenified]

I watch Flea master lesson, and he said he start learning slap and pop by slapping octaves:

|----------2-----|
|----------------|
|0-----0---------|

he said to start slow and try to get the sound right and accurate first. Then you start to do it in chr0matic scale:

|----------------|----------------|
|----------2-----|----------3-----|
|----------------|----------------|
|0-----0---------|1-----1---------| and so on......

Then yous peed up when you are accurate

when you slap you got two ways, either thumb up or thumb down, depend on your preference and you bass position (waist-Thumb up, Lower-Thumb down).