Thumb damage from slap

Judd · #1 05-14-2006, 01:30 PM

Hi there, been playin for a fair few years on bass, mostly do blues guitar though as i started that first.

Is there any long term damage that could be caused by playing slap? I know the techniques, and have friends whove been playing for 20 years. So i know I'm not doing it wrong. Even so my knuckle on my thumb occasionally gets sore.

If so any thoughts on how to prevent it. Or is it just something i'll have to live with.

Cheers guys

gstbass · #2 05-14-2006, 01:38 PM

I've been slapping for years now and haven't even noticed any significant damage. As with any impact, however, you will notice changes that wouldn't be there without the impact.

The key to slap is technique. Try the technique subforum, as a good technique will minimize the damage done.

Steve · #3 05-14-2006, 01:43 PM

No real hazard that I know of.

There is a relativly large school of thought that say's you shouldn't be hitting the knuckle of your thumb so much as the side of the thumb about halfway down the nail at most.

steve4765630 · #4 05-14-2006, 02:22 PM

It's all about proper technique. You need to hit through the string, not the the string itself. Make sure your thumb is parallel with the strings. If you are going for the E string hit it at an angle and end up with your thumb resting on the A. This is the only way to slap IMHO. You get twice the tone and much better accuracy. I do find I'm less tired by this technique also. You aren't hitting against the bass, you are working with it. Should save you any future harm or fatigue.

Calaverasgrande · #5 05-14-2006, 03:36 PM

when I first started my hands would get raw. but after a while I developed a good enough callous that it hasnt gone away, even though I pretty much stopped thumbing for a few years. but yeah, what the other guy said about going thru, I find it helps to practice across the fretboard. All the strings. You wont even get a sound out of some of the strings sometimes, but keep at it!

werbo1 · #6 05-16-2006, 04:55 PM

I have bad slap technique, perpendicular across the strings MOST of the time, but i'm not sore or anything. I developed blisters but just kept at it after they healed and am doing fine now

gstbass · #7 05-16-2006, 09:03 PM

I never gained any callouses despite an aggressive technique...

It is all about technique. Many people will give their suggestions, but really do what you are comfortable with. Not everyone can use the same slap technique...