Slap, yes? no?

bass phan · #1 03-07-2007, 09:11 PM

I have been playing upright for slightly over three years, and have recently watched videos and heard recordings of people slapping on uprights. Some of it sounds incredible. Some people think its great, but I have heard some people call it a gimmick. What do you think? also is it really hard to get some upright slap chops? i can slap on electric a very little bit, but I dont even no where to start on the upright

hdiddy · #2 03-07-2007, 09:15 PM

There's regular 'ol slappin', and then there's The Judge.

You should start with this thread. Theres a bit more to be found here on TB (just search for Milt Hinton) as well.

bass phan · #3 03-07-2007, 09:28 PM

thanks man

bassist1962 · #4 03-08-2007, 04:20 AM

Slappin' the DB is quite different technique than slappin' BG. Take the advice of the above mentioned thread, and on Youtube there are a few videos for Rockabilly slap technique by Scott Hinds. Check them out, they should give you a good start. Also check out Rockabilllybass.com.

Bass · #5 03-08-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass phan

...people slapping on uprights. Some of it sounds incredible. Some people think its great, but I have heard some people call it a gimmick...

It would be very unfair to call slap a gimmick. It is a legitimate technique that seems well suited for some styles of music. I understand slap has been around for dozens of years. 50? 100? I dunno, but hardly a gimmick.

Steve Killingsworth · #6 03-08-2007, 10:34 AM

For some people I think it is a gimmick used to hide poor intonation or their inability to do anything meaningful. On the other hand, if tastefully and strategically done, it adds an interesting dimension to some tunes.

BusterDog · #7 03-08-2007, 11:22 AM

Slap it like a red headed step child!

Bass · #8 03-08-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Killingsworth

For some people I think it is a gimmick used to hide poor intonation or their inability to do anything meaningful...

Can you provide an example?

Steve Killingsworth · #9 03-09-2007, 08:48 PM

Sure. Just attend the average bluegrass festival and you will hear numerous examples. I am sure that there are simiilar examples in rockbilly (guys who can slap but can't do much else). However, I can't offer much comment on that because I don't listen to rockabilly.

My point is simply this--I believe slapping offers some flash that some marginal players of many genres use to cover other shortcomings.

DaveAceofBass · #10 03-20-2007, 08:53 PM

Never dug it that much...but then I heard "Three Little Words" on Branford Marsalis's "Trio Jeepy". Milt Hinton was amazing. It's not a gimmick when you can do that.

MatthewS · #11 03-23-2007, 01:51 PM

For sure yes.
Rockabilly music is very simple, a bass player playing to much would just take away from it.

Its called musicality