Would I be limiting myself if...

[Fassa Albrecht]

I was only to play slap-bass?


At the moment I'm playing worship music and outside of that scene I findn myself slapping more and more, particularly now I'm getting better results from being taught properly

Would I be making a mistake to slap-bass only, particularly as I am forming a new band of my own at the moment?

[JFace]

Slap bass incorporates so many hand technique subtleties that I don't think you would be limiting yourself at all. If that sounds suits all of your music, by all means use it.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by JFace

Slap bass incorporates so many hand technique subtleties that I don't think you would be limiting yourself at all. If that sounds suits all of your music, by all means use it.

But surely then the slap sound would effect the sound of the entire band, bearing in mind I want to do rock music?

[SundanceChile]

Yes and no. Playing only slap bass isn't necessarily a bad thing(See Marcus Miller), but at the same time some elements call for a smooth fingerstyle line. Try slapping out "My Girl" and keeping it in the original song context. Then again, a slap version would be intresting...

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by SundanceChile

Yes and no. Playing only slap bass isn't necessarily a bad thing(See Marcus Miller), but at the same time some elements call for a smooth fingerstyle line.

I'm not saying I wouldn't go back to fingerstyle as necessary, I just feel comfy slapping.



PLus, it gets me noticed.

[Munjibunga]

You'd be cutting out over 90 percent of music that would be appropriate for you to play on. Listen to the radio. How much bass slapping do you hear?

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

You'd be cutting out over 90 percent of music that would be appropriate for you to play on. Listen to the radio. How much bass slapping do you hear?

Ever heard of Level 42?




Very proof slapping is mainstream.....

[SundanceChile]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

But surely then the slap sound would effect the sound of the entire band, bearing in mind I want to do rock music?

Are you going for Rage Against The Machine or Foo Fighter rock?

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I'm not saying I wouldn't go back to fingerstyle as necessary, I just feel comfy slapping.



PLus, it gets me noticed.

The nail that sticks out the most is the first to get hammered.

[JFace]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

But surely then the slap sound would effect the sound of the entire band, bearing in mind I want to do rock music?

It most certainly will effect the sound of the entire band. If Flea didn't slap in any RHCP songs, they would sound quite different. If Cliff Burton slapped in all of Metallica's songs, it would sound quite different.

Find your niche, and let the character of your sound enhance the band.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by SundanceChile

Are you going for Rage Against The Machine or Foo Fighter rock?

More Def Leppard rock.....

The nail that sticks out the most is the first to get hammered.

True....

[SundanceChile]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Ever heard of Level 42?




Very proof slapping is mainstream.....

I've never heard of Level 42....

When I think "mainstream", I tend to think Fall Out Boy and Justin Timberlake.

Edit: Def Leppard sounds like you want a pick and an agressive tone as opposed to slap IMO.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by SundanceChile

I've never heard of Level 42....

When I think "mainstream", I tend to think Fall Out Boy and Justin Timberlake.

I'm going to assuime you're not joking......so here you go


Running In The Family- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvcUcsYjoMU

Proof slap is cool.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by SundanceChile

Edit: Def Leppard sounds like you want a pick and an agressive tone as opposed to slap IMO.

Picks= the Devil

[markjazzbassist]

yes you would be limiting yourself. there are maybe 5 people in the world who have gotten a gig cause they are slaptacular. real bass gigs are about playing bass with a pick/fingers. slappers aren't in high demand unless you're not looking to get a gig.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

yes you would be limiting yourself. there are maybe 5 people in the world who have gotten a gig cause they are slaptacular. real bass gigs are about playing bass with a pick/fingers. slappers aren't in high demand unless you're not looking to get a gig.

Or are in your own band that write slap-specific stuff....

[SundanceChile]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I'm going to assuime you're not joking......so here you go


Running In The Family- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvcUcsYjoMU

Proof slap is cool.

Not my personal cup of tea, but I have a rebuttal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzNrYRqH35Q
Proof that effects and a pick is gnarly(I still am strictly finger and slap though). FWIW, I don't think either band we're presenting are in the vein you and your band have intended.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by SundanceChile

Not my personal cup of tea, but I have a rebuttal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzNrYRqH35Q
Proof that effects and a pick is gnarly(I still am strictly finger and slap though). FWIW, I don't think either band we're presenting are in the vein you and your band have intended.

I've never liked pick playing for two reasons- the risk of you dropping a pick is high and the sound can sometimes be too sharp (for my liking anyway).

I like the physical aspect of slap as much as anything.....picks seem quite impersonal and too cliched....

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Or are in your own band that write slap-specific stuff....

right. my point is this. are you looking at bass as a hobby or trying to do it full-time as a gig/job?

if you're doing it as a hobby, do whatever the hell you want. if you wanna do it full-time, lose the slap (unless you're trying to make it in the urban gospel or solo bass markets) and work on your bass with your fingers.

[SundanceChile]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I've never liked pick playing for two reasons- the risk of you dropping a pick is high and the sound can sometimes be too sharp (for my liking anyway).

I like the physical aspect of slap as much as anything.....picks seem quite impersonal and too rockstarish.

Once again, I'm going to refer back to the Def Leppard comment.

Sounds like you're dead set on slap bass for your band. Go for it! What does it matter what the rest of the world thinks as long as you're happy in the end?

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by markjazzbassist

right. my point is this. are you looking at bass as a hobby or trying to do it full-time as a gig/job?

if you're doing it as a hobby, do whatever the hell you want. if you wanna do it full-time, lose the slap (unless you're trying to make it in the urban gospel or solo bass markets) and work on your bass with your fingers.

The answer to that is- gig!


I spent ages on slapping too....