Unnecessary Effort Thread

[fettbass]

What techniques did you spend alot of time learning, only to find that it didn't suit your style, or you just don't use it all that much?

For me it would be slap. I spent a while getting it together and clean, and after all that, I found out I hardly ever use it.

[richardjones89]

i wish i knew how to slap at least youve got it there if you ever need it. you never know when the occasion may arise...

[Matthew Bryson]

I've actually been enjoying playing solo slap stuff when I'm just playing around at home and feel as though my slap technique is starting to come together. I may bring some slap play into my bands set at some point. I don't think I'll ever play a lot of slap, but it has it's place.

I have never found a time or place to tap. For me, I just can't imagine ever using tap technique in bass playing.

[Dave Muscato]

+1 to tapping. I never use it, but I practice is anyway. You never know...


- Dave

[steve66]

Vibrato - Its an interesting technique. Just try to keep the vibrato going for as long as you can. Makes for a good exercise when your bored

[Silas Martinez]

Both tap, and to a lesser extent, slap. Of course, I started tapping more than 15 years ago, when I played guitar, and it was called for in that case, but I've never used it except while practicing on the bass. Slapping I use rarely, but generally prefer plucked lines. Maybe its because I lack stamina while slapping - but generally, I go for 'smoother' lines, without the percussive feel inherent in slap. Although, recently my prog trio had a little ditty that sounded pretty decent with some fast slapping.

[TehRoflCopter]

Not to derail from the purpose of this thread, but I was also one who thought I would never use tap. I do use it in a pretty mainstream sounding rock band, but not as crazy bass and melodic parts or EVH-style wanking. I happen to find it very useful when I want to hit for example a high A or E or something similar above the 12th fret on the G string but am holding down a groove--it allows me to get that quick reach without having to change my left hand position. I find it very useful for sparse individual notes like that (and even the occasional double stop, as in the common slide up a half step starting on the major 6 and minor 10 [if that makes sense--my brain is a little foggy]).