What's up with YouTube?

_Cthulhu_ · #1 09-07-2006, 06:49 AM

Has anyone else noticed when you search for bass vids on youtube all you get are slap slap and more slap? Not that there's anything wrong with slap, but dang, there isn't anything else on there!

markjazzbassist · #2 09-07-2006, 07:07 AM

yeah im not a big slap fan either. try looking at videos of jamerson and rocco prestia.

RWP · #3 09-07-2006, 07:15 AM

This one is worth a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfDE-ZvfOwU

_Cthulhu_ · #4 09-07-2006, 07:24 AM

You win just because he's not slapping..

You get extra points because of the explorer bass.. (My favorite bodystyle of all frickin time!!!!!)

**cheezewiz** · #5 09-07-2006, 07:28 AM

Well, I think it is basically because, most "bassists" between the age of 14 and 25, who will be the heaviest Youtube users, seem to think that bass playing involves only slapping and wanking. Sure slap is a neat trick to have in the bag of tricks, and it fits very well with some music, but it is the most overused, overhyped, overdone technique out there.

SteveC · #6 09-07-2006, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

Sure slap is a neat trick to have in the bag of tricks, and it fits very well with some music, but it is the most overused, overhyped, overdone technique out there.

Well said.

_Cthulhu_ · #7 09-07-2006, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

Well, I think it is basically because, most "bassists" between the age of 14 and 25, who will be the heaviest Youtube users, seem to think that bass playing involves only slapping and wanking. Sure slap is a neat trick to have in the bag of tricks, and it fits very well with some music, but it is the most overused, overhyped, overdone technique out there.

Well.. I'm 18 and I think slapping is for the birds.. I can't stand it.. and if it wasn't essential for me to know how to do.. I probably would have said screw it all.. But then again I'm a big metal-head which a lot of slap guys would laugh at me for that.

People these days don't seem to do enough. It seems like all I ever get anymore is slapping or straight-forward, boring, 1-note-humping basslines..... The variety is like.. dying out.. What ever happened to Jazz? Not like.. fusion.. but like that old-school stuff... man...

superbassman2000 · #8 09-07-2006, 08:35 AM

yeah, the younger crowd seems to be convinced that doing some fast slap is the pinnicle of amazing bass playing. i think the guitar equivalent is being able to play along with either dream theatre or yngwie, because theres a lot of that on youtube as well. i think both slapping and 30K arpeggios in a minute are both techniques that can be impressive, but just very hard to use tastefully in a band setting (the slapping that the people do on youtube, not slapping in general)

Bruce Lindfield · #9 09-07-2006, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

yeah, the younger crowd seems to be convinced that doing some fast slap is the pinnicle of amazing bass playing.

Yup I've got flak for saying this - but go into any music store and you will see some young kid convinced he's really impressing everybody with some poorly-played slap...

It's obviously all about impressing other people and not about music as such - whereas, as Cthulhu mentioned - I would actually be much more impressed to hear a nice slow, melodic, Jazz tune, done on bass!

RWP · #10 09-07-2006, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

yeah, the younger crowd seems to be convinced that doing some fast slap is the pinnicle of amazing bass playing. i think the guitar equivalent is being able to play along with either dream theatre or yngwie, because theres a lot of that on youtube as well. i think both slapping and 30K arpeggios in a minute are both techniques that can be impressive, but just very hard to use tastefully in a band setting (the slapping that the people do on youtube, not slapping in general)

+1 on this comment. I like to slap when I am trying to impress myself at home but rarely find places where it works in the band setting. Guess it all depends on the stuff you play too. Don't do much RHCP

RWP · #11 09-07-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Cthulhu_

People these days don't seem to do enough. It seems like all I ever get anymore is slapping or straight-forward, boring, 1-note-humping basslines..... The variety is like.. dying out.. What ever happened to Jazz? Not like.. fusion.. but like that old-school stuff... man...

I was seldom happy with bass lines in the covers we did. Would almost always step them up a few notches. Hell if you'll just standing there laying down half notes on the root, your keyboard player could do that!

txbasschik · #12 09-07-2006, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Cthulhu_

Well.. I'm 18 and I think slapping is for the birds.. I can't stand it.. and if it wasn't essential for me to know how to do.. I probably would have said screw it all.. But then again I'm a big metal-head which a lot of slap guys would laugh at me for that.

People these days don't seem to do enough. It seems like all I ever get anymore is slapping or straight-forward, boring, 1-note-humping basslines..... The variety is like.. dying out.. What ever happened to Jazz? Not like.. fusion.. but like that old-school stuff... man...

Well...play some!

Seriously...even though your focus is metal (which is cool; I like old-school metal), it couldn't hurt to try to delve into the world of old-school, straight-up jazz. You're young...you have time. And who are the best people to bring change? Young people!

I think old-school stuff is coming back. Look at bands like Quarles Barkley (soul) and Wolfmother (rock that sounds like the stuff we listened to in high school). So...why can't a young metal bassist experiment with jazz?

Cherie

Peter Squire · #13 09-08-2006, 01:13 AM

Hey Bruce, sorta OT, but is this the kind of thing you were talking about over in your Suggestion Box thread?

Bruce Lindfield · #14 09-08-2006, 06:51 AM

ThaJ-Child · #15 09-09-2006, 09:59 PM

Here's some good slap:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xt2ro4rwYmQ
You've got to wait 4:00 for Larry to get his, but Stanley Clarke will funk you up in the meantime.

Larry Graham's allowed to thump and pluck all he wants, because he invented it. His slap isn't show off noodling, every note he plays is essential to his thang. And because he's a bad mutha. And because he has a microphone attached to his bass.

war_n_peace · #16 09-09-2006, 11:00 PM

Slapping on the Bass is like Tapping on the Guitar.
A million Vidz out there...

monkey see , monkey do

Spector_Ray · #17 09-10-2006, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by war_n_peace

Slapping on the Bass is like Tapping on the Guitar.
A million Vidz out there...

monkey see , monkey do

But there's good slap and tap and bad slap and tap and unfortunately the bad outnumbers the good.

BTW, the video of Stanley Clarke and Larry Graham is awesome. I love Larry's vibrato.

evan_phi · #18 09-10-2006, 09:44 AM

slapping is just the bassist version of "high pitched wankery".

not a fan.

Marcus · #19 09-10-2006, 09:54 AM

It's an impressive technique that gives us an idiosyncratic quality, not to mention it's fun to play, as well as to learn. It does not hurt either that a couple of the most influential and reknowned bassists are incredible at the technique. The way I look at it as well, is anything that inspires any of us to pick up our bass and hit the shed is a good thing.

Scourge441 · #20 09-10-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txbasschik

I think old-school stuff is coming back. Look at bands like Quarles Barkley (soul) and Wolfmother (rock that sounds like the stuff we listened to in high school). So...why can't a young metal bassist experiment with jazz?

Cherie

Not to mention that a lot of metal (Atheist, Cynic, Cryptopsy, Opeth-not stuff you would like, but still metal) takes plenty of influence from jazz. Experimenting with jazz will make your metal playing better.

Did I mention that Alex Skolnick from Testament plays in a jazz trio?