Slapping instruction

[merlin]

This may have been posted before, and if so point me to the right post. I have a 5 string and would like to be able to slap bass, to get that real pop sound. Obviously i can do it on the B and G strings, i just have a problem moving between the strings. i become as i would put it "All fingers"

Any suggestions? Some songs have these wild slap licks i would love to be able to bring to a band who wishes me to record.

Merls.
PS: if you feel your reply would be too long, then feel free to email me

[iamburly]

Hey merlin,

Check out http://www.basstabarchive.com/lessons/ and scroll down a bit. Go through the three lessons they have. After that, all I can tell you is practice.

[Bruce Lindfield]

You say the B and the G strings, but in most slap/pop ( at least the most straightforward or easiest anyway)the lower note is hit by the thumb and then pulled with the index finger an octave above. So slap on A string pop on G, slap on E string pop on D string. Obviously you can slap on the B, but it can be difficult to get this right and it is much easier to go for the octave thing, with the pop on the G string. The B can be too thick or too high to slap easily or rather conistently. It might better to start trying this on the A and G strings and then progress when you are confident.

Of course - all this might be at a different level to where you are now and this is probably why others haven't replied. Without seeing you play, it is very difficult (impossible!) to comment and suggest improvements. This is why it is best to have a teacher really - a teacher can *show* you improvements in a few minutes that it would take pages on here to write - and they might not be appropriate anyway!

[merlin]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield

Of course - all this might be at a different level to where you are now and this is probably why others haven't replied. Without seeing you play, it is very difficult (impossible!) to comment and suggest improvements. This is why it is best to have a teacher really - a teacher can *show* you improvements in a few minutes that it would take pages on here to write - and they might not be appropriate anyway!

Comment! well i can think of a few four letter words to describe my playing!
I've only been playing for just under three years so I don't expect to much. Cheers Bruce that's the sorta reply i was looking for. somewhere simple to start off. Thankx

Merls