trying to slap

zerotonine · #1 07-08-2008, 06:30 AM

I've been trying to play slapbass for a while but I can't seem to get the right sound no matter what I try. Am I doing it wrong or could it be that I just don't have the right bass for slapping??

I just have a beginners bass ATM which is an Ibanez bass from a starters package. Gio 190 something I think. I'm not sure what the exact type is.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.
Thanks.

Edit: Maybe I posted this in the wrong forum. If it belongs somewhere else perhaps someone can move it.

lomo · #2 07-08-2008, 06:42 AM

Bass needs good setup. Newish roundwound strings recommended. Try increasing treble and bass on your amp (some like to decrease mids as well). I recommend Ed Freidlands slap bass DVD.

jgroh · #3 07-08-2008, 06:44 AM

When you say you cant get the right sound, what exactly do you mean? It isnt bright and snappy enough, or your technique isnt up to par? If its the former, try some new strings first. If its the latter, you just need to practice it over and over. But keep in mind that if you are comparing your sound and technique to something you are listening to on a CD from a pro using pro gear, you will probably be let down.

**john turner** · #4 07-08-2008, 07:45 AM

please use the proper forums for posting - this forum is for bass-specific discussion. i'll move this to the technique forum.

zerotonine · #5 07-08-2008, 08:26 AM

Yeah, I figured I might have posted in the wrong forum. Sorry for that and thanks for moving it.

I'll try to be a bit more specific. I have listened to plenty of demos of people playing slapbass and I don't have the delusion that I will be able to copy what they are doing by simply hitting some strings on my bass. But I figured that I should be able to get a single note to sound at least a bit similar to what I hear and see out there.
All I'm getting now is a thud with barely any tone or body to it.

Perhaps I just haven't been trying hard enough. I will take the advice and buy this DVD slap bass training thing.

Hope it works out...

Thanks for all the advice so far.

edit: I think my bass also has pretty low string tension so maybe that has something to do with it as well?!

NickBass81 · #6 07-08-2008, 03:36 PM

Hello...I had a couple of pupils with the same matter...maybe when you hit the string with the thumb you somehow "block" it on the fingerboard and so the note doesn't ring as you expect...when you slap after you've hitted the note try to "leave" your thumb from the fingerboard (hope I've explained it with the right words!!), the note should ring more...then work with patience, slap technique needs a little of time to be fluid...let me know if the advice works!!

buckeyeshakr101 · #7 07-09-2008, 08:19 AM

I had teh same problem when I feirst tried to learn slap
I could never get it so I gave up for a few months
I'm not quite sure, but my biggest problem, which sounds like it might be what your experiancing, was I had to learn to 'bounce' more
Try jus hitting it quick and bouncing right off
Kinda like harmonics... They sound much better if you don't leave your finger there and you pull it off at just teh right time
Least that's how I got it