This velvet glove playing technique

[ringworm4005]

Hey All,
Recently I was listening to Californication by the RHCP, and I noticed that on track nr. 11 (This Velvet Glove) that flea uses a slap/pop technique I've never heard before. It sounds like he pops and then almost immediately slaps the note an octave lower. Does anybody have any information on this technique?

Peace

[IAMERICCOCHRANE]

Its just speed, like on "Around the World" he goes from 3 fret on the E string to the 12th fret on the G string. No special technique there other than speed.

[Matt Till]

I think also his tone has a big part to do with the coolness of his slap riff on that song. It's mellow and not in your face, but he's poundin' on it pretty hard. Very tasteful tone... I notice he has similar tone in "Can't stop." I like Flea's new slap riffs as opposed to his old ones. His old ones were just "Look how fast I am." He's more concerned with melody now... but this goes for all of his basslines in contrast old vs. new.

[Amethska]

Ah, whenever I hear "Can't Stop" on the radio, I turn the bass way up and the volume up a good amount, too. I love Flea's bass lines, especially in that song! I think my family thinks I'm crazy, freaking out whenever I hear an RHCP song on the radio.

[moley]

Maybe's he's actually wearing a velvet glove for that one?

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally posted by IAMERICCOCHRANE
Its just speed, like on "Around the World" he goes from 3 fret on the E string to the 12th fret on the G string. No special technique there other than speed.

I've never heard either song, but how do you know that and if we are talking about an octave below, then wouldn't that be 12th fret on the G to 10th fret on the A? Or just the open G string - even easier!!

If we are talking about 2 octaves down from high G - then he could be playing a 5-string and going down to 8th fret B - not that hard?

[Matt Till]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield


I've never heard either song, but how do you know that and if we are talking about an octave below, then wouldn't that be 12th fret on the G to 10th fret on the A? Or just the open G string - even easier!!

If we are talking about 2 octaves down from high G - then he could be playing a 5-string and going down to 8th fret B - not that hard?

It's a two octave thing on a four string bass. I don't think he goes up the whole two octaves in that song, I think he jumps from the 3rd fret to the 10th for most of the song... I dunno. I haven't played or listened to that in a while.

[IAMERICCOCHRANE]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield


I've never heard either song, but how do you know that and if we are talking about an octave below, then wouldn't that be 12th fret on the G to 10th fret on the A? Or just the open G string - even easier!!

If we are talking about 2 octaves down from high G - then he could be playing a 5-string and going down to 8th fret B - not that hard?

Two Proofs:
Ive seen RHCP In concert about 2 years ago, and saw flea play the song, He Went from the 3rd fret on the E to 12th on the G string, He didnt have a 5 stringer, If I remember correctly he was using a Musicman, He hadnt gone to the modulus yet.

And second, In the studio he used a 4 string, forgot which brand but it was a 4 string, And it was Two octaves down from the 12th fret G.

[bassist_punk]

I know what ur talkin about and I saw on the Fenders Players Club website (which u can get to through fenders website) they have an interview from a long time ago with Flea and he shows how he does it, its so ****ing amazing I cant believe how fast he goes, his hands r like a ****ing blur.

[IAMERICCOCHRANE]

Originally posted by IAMERICCOCHRANE


Two Proofs:
Ive seen RHCP In concert about 2 years ago, and saw flea play the song, He Went from the 3rd fret on the E to 12th on the G string, He didnt have a 5 stringer, If I remember correctly he was using a Musicman, He hadnt gone to the modulus yet.

And second, In the studio he used a 4 string, forgot which brand but it was a 4 string, And it was Two octaves down from the 12th fret G.

Ahh have to correct myself, He goes from 3rd fret on the E string to 10th on the G, not 12th. Not much of a difference but still, I wanted to note it.

[ConU]

Originally posted by moley
Maybe's he's actually wearing a velvet glove for that one?

[ConU]

Originally posted by IAMERICCOCHRANE


Ahh have to correct myself, He goes from 3rd fret on the E string to 10th on the G, not 12th. Not much of a difference but still, I wanted to note it.

What's a whole note between friends?

[Matt Till]

Originally posted by IAMERICCOCHRANE


Ahh have to correct myself, He goes from 3rd fret on the E string to 10th on the G, not 12th. Not much of a difference but still, I wanted to note it.

This is what I was saying.

[IAMERICCOCHRANE]

Originally posted by StupidMatt




This is what I was saying.

Yea, I read ur post more carefully, saw my mistake and posted it. So thank you StupidMatt for fixing the problem.

[MotorMind]

Originally posted by IAMERICCOCHRANE


Ahh have to correct myself, He goes from 3rd fret on the E string to 10th on the G, not 12th. Not much of a difference but still, I wanted to note it.

Really now.. it's really not that special to do this. You just need to practice. Flea is really not that great, but he ain't shabby either. He has a huge lot of experience, both live and in the studio, which makes a whole lot of difference. In the end, it's all about having a lot of tattoos and a mad grin

[IAMERICCOCHRANE]

Originally posted by MotorMind


Really now.. it's really not that special to do this. You just need to practice. Flea is really not that great, but he ain't shabby either. He has a huge lot of experience, both live and in the studio, which makes a whole lot of difference. In the end, it's all about having a lot of tattoos and a mad grin

Well It was hard 2 years ago, But I tried to play it again the other day and it really wasnt that hard, Its just some of his fills are a little tough, but nowhere near as hard as they were 2 years ago