Slap Bass "A String" problem

[stewievslois]

Hey,

I know loads of people post a "how do I play slap bass" type question, I have a very specific variation on that. I also haven't been able to find an answer to this particular question (if any one has already answered this by all means post a link to it).

I am a beginner slap player, as in I'm trying to get the fundamentals down. At the moment I am at the slapping and popping an octave stage of basics. However I don't seem to be able to slap the A string (in standard tuning) without catching the E or D string at the same time. I have even tried doing this very slowly and I can't do it without having my thumb completely parallel with the A string.

Has anybody else had issues with slapping the A string? If so how did they over some this?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

stewievslois

[Blacimbla]

When I slap, my thumb is always parallel to the strings. I've seen people (i.e., Flea) play stuff on the upper strings while having their thumb perpindicular to the strings, but I could never manage it. I suggest learning to play with your thumb parallel, but that's just me. If you ever want to learn the double-thumb technique (i.e., Wooten) this is the best way to start.

[TortillaChip520]

i play with my thumb perpendicular (flea style). Just use whatever available appendages to mute whatever strings you don't want to hit. I wrap my (fretting) thumb around to mute if i'm slapping on the a string.

[CoffeeJanitor]

Practice, practice, practice.

Try to play with your thumb parallel. This will help in the future if you want to pick up techniques like double thumbing.