For Those Who Slap

JAUQO III-X · #1 12-24-2010, 05:21 PM

What is it about the technique that you like so much?

And can we see some kool vids of the technique utilized in a platform that you find enjoyable?

And can we keep this thread positive? If slap is not your thing please refrain from putting it down.

bass12 · #2 12-24-2010, 05:31 PM

I love bass as a rhythm instrument (if I wasn't concentrating on bass I'd be concentrating on drums) and slap, to me, emphasizes rhythm and percussion. Cool videos? I'll have to see...

I'll add that I think of slap as a fine spice. Fine spices often require a little more attention when being used to cook with. A lot of people can ruin a dish by not using the spices appropriately. That doesn't, however, mean that the spice itself should be criticized when misused.

CannyBusDriver · #3 12-24-2010, 05:37 PM

videos of slap in bands we like? here some youtube links,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f35NVX_PU0

doug wimbish of living colour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob3buKk6ALc

infectious grooves- robert trujillo (the bassist of metallica, who is clearly not fully utilized by metallica's crappyness)

I like the fact you can be hitting low notes with your thumb and pop high notes at the same time. and the awesome ghost notes you can put in. I also LOVE double thumbing. U dunno if these techniques are used in the videos, but Im sure they are.

bass12 · #4 12-24-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CannyBusDriver

videos of slap in bands we like? here some youtube links,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f35NVX_PU0

doug wimbish of living colour

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob3buKk6ALc

infectious grooves- robert trujillo (the bassist of metallica, who is clearly not fully utilized by metallica's crappyness)

I like the fact you can be hitting low notes with your thumb and pop high notes at the same time. and the awesome ghost notes you can put in. I also LOVE double thumbing. U dunno if these techniques are used in the videos, but Im sure they are.

I love Doug's playing on the early 80s Sugar Hill stuff! Nas-T!

**pacojas** · #5 12-24-2010, 05:57 PM

i enjoy using just the thumb-strike part of this technique. it sounds fierce without that ANNOYING octave/fifth, etc "pop". JUST THUMP IT!!! (much cooler than slap&pop)
even when you thump the high notes it's just MEATY. you can thump finger-style also by playing on the FB.

WARNING: do not over-use. save for dynamic purposes only.
also,.. i urge the "slap & pop" addicts to try this dumbed down format as a replacement. the audience will love it when you make them wait for it.
works well for every genre. gl.

steveksux · #6 12-24-2010, 05:57 PM

I love the simpler Miller style grooves (when he's accompanying). Long on groove, not particularly flashy. Very tasty.

Ever notice the cool groove a percussionist adds to some types of songs? Slap on bass is very similar, more of a percussionist style feel than fingerstyle bass. That's what I like about it. When its done well. Its about the intricate rhythms, the contrast between pops and slaps, not about rapid 8ths or 16ths, or 8th triplet licks.

I just turned 51, so I also like the fact that slap is washed up, old fashioned and out of date, just like me..

Randy

conqr · #7 12-24-2010, 06:00 PM

One of a billion examples of the technique used to greatest effect by none other than MM himself of course:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWg6iB0Evj0

You can find any number of speed freaks slap/popping away without direction, but percussive is only one (overused) aspect of slap, MM and others are also melodic. I like it because it's another voice of the bass, and I like all aspects of the instrument.

**Pacman** · #8 12-24-2010, 07:56 PM

What do I like about the technique? The sound produced.

bass12 · #9 12-24-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

What do I like about the technique? The sound produced.

You've got to admit, it looks pretty cool too.

bThumper38 · #10 12-24-2010, 08:11 PM

I Completely suck at it, I can Thump all day long, but I really enjoy watching the guys that are good at it. Obviously not suited for every occasion, unless you have your own band.

cycler · #11 12-24-2010, 08:20 PM

WHy is it that I love the way Larry Graham and children play it but hate Flea etc ? Music style more than anything I guess.

JAUQO III-X · #12 12-24-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycler

WHy is it that I love the way Larry Graham and children play it

What children are you talking about?

bThumper38 · #13 12-24-2010, 08:24 PM

He's probably talking about stanley and children of forever

crossstick · #14 12-24-2010, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cycler

WHy is it that I love the way Larry Graham and children play it but hate Flea etc ? Music style more than anything I guess.

Flea is really heavy on the pop and larry is heavier on the thump. Different styles. Flea doesn't slap with a lot of dynamics, it's ultra aggressive and full on all the time, Larry is a more dynamic player, sounds more percussive to me.

I really love Louis, he lays in hard but is still dynamic. Victor Bailey is another fav, a lot of his lines sound really simple but they just hit the spot, love his groove, he's my favourite player at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYuoB...eature=related

Floyd Eye · #15 12-24-2010, 08:42 PM

Great videos. Thanks for posting.

Cycho · #16 12-24-2010, 08:44 PM

I view the bass as sort of a "tuned drum" -- i.e. a drum which plays specific notes. Slapping, playing with a pick, etc. are like a drummer using rim shots or mallets: ways of extracting a variety of sounds from the instrument.

Billy Low · #17 12-24-2010, 08:44 PM

I really like the sound of a P-bass being thumped tastefully. For me when the technique is applied in a way that solidifies the instrument on both levels within the musical context, melodically and rhythmically, it brings out something special in music. It's kinda like cooking with an onion, you may not like onions, but you realize how bland certain foods can be without it.

rodl2005 · #18 12-24-2010, 08:48 PM

Larry Graham playing in SLY & THE FAMILY STONE- doing songs like:-

"Thankyou falletinme bemice elf again" ??? - I THINK thats SOMETHING like the title :-)

&

"I wanna Take you Higher" - you'd probly find vids of these on you-tube

chanson · #19 12-24-2010, 08:54 PM

I like that it is an alternative style to the traditional way of playing bass. If there was only one technique for playing bass, it would be much less fun

Smallmouth_Bass · #20 12-24-2010, 09:05 PM

I don't slap that often - I am not very good at it - but the thing I like about it is the sound and the way that it can (and should) lock in with the drums. It's like it becomes an extension of the drum kit, but with pitches.

I generally like slap in a funk or rock context, but I do not necessarily equate funk with slap.