Please do something other than slap if you demo

[SteveC]

So I'm looking through Bass Player TV (it happens other places as well) and virtually every guy I see demoing a bass or amp slaps. I never hear an example of finger style playing. I am just that far out of touch? I didn't think slap bass was that big a deal any more? I don't hear it much in music I lsten to. What am I missing.

I'm not anti-slap. I do it in a couple tunes we play, but that's it. It's not a major part of my playing - or many others. Yet it's all I hear and see on demos and clips.

Please, if you demo something, do a little finger style playing, too. How about some longer sustained notes? Sometimes you need to play thing other than slapped 16th's, right?

[ibanezcollector]

I agree, I would love to hear more liquid sounding grooves in demos as well.. Maybe a chord or two as well.. Those mean more to me then slapping..

I cant slap to save my life, so its the least important thing when I watch demo vids of gear im gassing for. It may sound great but ill never do it on said gear.. So its meaningless to me

[Matt Till]

It's because when a person has 30 seconds to show you a piece of gear, they want to advertise themselves more than the product. Super annoying, ask a guy at a music store to show you a piece of equipment, and you'll get the same thing.

I thought it was funny, before I bought my first non practice amp, I asked the clerk to plug it in, he did, pulled a bass off the wall, and played some awful out of time slap. Normally, I don't show off. But as he walked away super smugly, I did some fancy shmancy in-time slapping. I just wanted to discourage future douchery.

[ibanezcollector]

LOL matt haha

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

I just wanted to discourage future douchery.

Agreed, we must resist such douchery wherever it rears its pointed little head. Alas, the task is a bit like draining the sea - with a garden bucket...

MM

[Jonny B]

When I try out a bass, I run it through the whole gamut. I finger pick the licks to some of my favorite songs, I try out different tapping techniques all over the fretboard, I play chords, and yes, I slap. This gives me a complete feel of what the bass can or can not do.

I'm sorry to hear that someone slapping annoys you. But they are the person playing the bass. It's too bad for them if that's all they do as they just won't get a full feel for the dynamics of that particular instrument, but it's their right.

[emblymouse]

It's like listening to a guitar player doing nothing but hammer-ons. Jeezuz...

[BillytheBassist]

Thanks Matt... i got you quoted in my sig.

[Matt Till]

Originally Posted by Jonny B

When I try out a bass, I run it through the whole gamut. I finger pick the licks to some of my favorite songs, I try out different tapping techniques all over the fretboard, I play chords, and yes, I slap. This gives me a complete feel of what the bass can or can not do.

I'm sorry to hear that someone slapping annoys you. But they are the person playing the bass. It's too bad for them if that's all they do as they just won't get a full feel for the dynamics of that particular instrument, but it's their right.

I don't think the issue was slap bass, in fact, SteveC said in the initial post that he likes slap bass. I think everyone is actually behind you on this one: We want to hear everything a bass can do. All the vids he's complaining about offer is slap examples, if you ONLY play slap, that's fine, but he wants to hear the bass run the full gamut, as you tend to do.

Ever consider working for Bass Player TV?


Billy: I'm honored.

[JeffTheBig]

Originally Posted by BillytheBassist

Thanks Matt... i got you quoted in my sig.

beat me to it

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Jonny B

I'm sorry to hear that someone slapping annoys you. But they are the person playing the bass. It's too bad for them if that's all they do as they just won't get a full feel for the dynamics of that particular instrument, but it's their right.

I don't disagree. What I'm saying is if they are doing a demo of gear for the general public (ex. I'm here with so and so from company X to show you the new super cool bass and how versatile it is) they shoul dshow us everything, not just their "can I help you" licks.

[Jonny B]

Ah, my bad... On videos.

Well, I guess I have to agree with you 100%. Who wants to see nothing but slap on a demo video?

Kinda pointless if you ask me.

Originally Posted by Matt Till

Ever consider working for Bass Player TV?

Heh, I don't think I've got what it takes... Though I can slap.

[Spector_Ray]

I don't mind slapping in a demo as long as it's not the only thing being played and it's done right.

[Matt Till]

Originally Posted by Spector_Ray

I don't mind slapping in a demo as long as it's not the only thing being played and it's done right.

But it doesn't show the full dynamic of what the bass can do.

[Spector_Ray]

Originally Posted by Matt Till

But it doesn't show the full dynamic of what the bass can do.

That's true, but like I said, if it's not the ONLY style played.

[Digo]

An example of full potential

Les Claypool - The Awakening

Harmonics
Slap/Pop/Muting
Finger Picking
Tapping (some versions)

[daofktr]

thank you.

[Matt Till]

Originally Posted by Digo

An example of full potential

Les Claypool - The Awakening

Harmonics
Slap/Pop/Muting
Finger Picking
Tapping (some versions)

Les Claypool didn't write the Awakening, it's a cover of a Reddings song.