Slap Jar

MirageBass · #1 06-12-2009, 01:50 AM

So I've been looking to hone my rock chops, being in LA and all, and I have found that I find myself slapping at the most inappropriate times while practicing my technique. It's great for funk and all, but the temptation to wank all over the board is always there and compromising my style. I want to focus on straight melody.

So I now own a "slap jar." It's a jar that sits in my room and accumulates money. Every time I inadvertently find myself slapping when I should be focusing on my rock technique, I put a dollar in the jar. This money goes towards buying alcohol for my bandmates.

I can tell you this, it's a damn effective deterrent.

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 06-12-2009, 02:00 AM

Sounds like a solid method you got going on there!

One idea I got for you is that maybe you should start up a funk side project or something. Get together with either your current band or some completely new people and start writing some original funk tunes - that way you get all that out of your system so you can actually get down to practice.

MirageBass · #3 06-12-2009, 02:16 AM

I really don't have much interest in funk - slapping was the product of a year in college with no band and not much to do. Now, when I want to write lines and practice melodies, I find myself going "Alright, lay down some quarter notes, cool, move around the neck, awesome, lock in with the bass dru-SLAPPITY SLAP SLAP SLAPPITY SLAP LOOK HOW AWESOME I AM"

And I need to discourage that mindset right now. Same goes for tapping.

hellfleet · #4 06-12-2009, 02:21 AM

I think its a good idea. I might start using a tap-jar myself.

MatticusMania · #5 06-12-2009, 11:49 AM

Just tell yourself that slap and tap styles suck and make you look entirely self indulgent.

(please understand that I do not believe in the above statement, slap & tap definitely have their appropriate time & place, but sometimes you just gotta convince yourself)

Lunchbox4u_6 · #6 06-12-2009, 01:12 PM

I have a "You Suck!" jar, it's a jar that i put money into everytime i pick up my bass and realize that i have no talent...i've run out of money and had to give the jar my car keys, my watch, and my 5 string...i really need to get better so i can get my keys back and stop bumming rides to gigs.

I'm just kidding, i'm a goofball and couldn't resist an attempt at humor. You do have a great idea and i hope you can get yourself where you want to go.

Adam Bomb · #7 06-12-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirageBass

I really don't have much interest in funk - slapping was the product of a year in college with no band and not much to do. Now, when I want to write lines and practice melodies, I find myself going "Alright, lay down some quarter notes, cool, move around the neck, awesome, lock in with the bass dru-SLAPPITY SLAP SLAP SLAPPITY SLAP LOOK HOW AWESOME I AM"

And I need to discourage that mindset right now. Same goes for tapping.

Please chop off your hands and mail them to me. I am in a funk band, and I can't slap to save my life. If I could slappity slappity slap, I would. All the time.

--Bomb

ninjasmurf · #8 06-13-2009, 04:41 PM

Cut your slap thumb off...It's the only way to cure yourself I'm afraid.

Or...

well, write lines where you could have a cheeky slap and not get carried away, there a few good slap rock things out there...probably...

Cyber Soda · #9 06-14-2009, 06:32 PM

Funk rock band? Maybe? I don't know. Not a huge fan of it but it's been done and fairly well.

Gazzy · #10 06-16-2009, 06:16 PM

I say stuff it all, slap away!!!! Yes, your right it is easy to slap too much, but it's also possible to slap not enough! Get that slap on and don't be afraid brother!!!

Gazzy · #11 06-16-2009, 06:20 PM

Oh and mirage bass, slapping is awesome. It's not about how awesome you are. It's about having fun with your instrument and enjoying yourself!

Gazzy · #12 06-16-2009, 06:22 PM

Getaway Driver · #13 06-16-2009, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjasmurf

Cut your slap thumb off...It's the only way to cure yourself I'm afraid.

Or...

well, write lines where you could have a cheeky slap and not get carried away, there a few good slap rock things out there...probably...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyber Soda

Funk rock band? Maybe? I don't know. Not a huge fan of it but it's been done and fairly well.

Uh... Rage Against the Machine? Red Hot Chili Peppers?

Slap works just fine in rock. DOOOO IT.

T40Chump · #14 06-16-2009, 07:32 PM

Great story. I have a noodle jar for band rehearsals. If you noodle between tunes, you pay money.

TOOL460002 · #15 06-18-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T40Chump

Great story. I have a noodle jar for band rehearsals. If you noodle between tunes, you pay money.

haha, i like that. maybe i havent gigged enough, or with the right (wrong) people, but ive never had people go off between songs, just the occasional warm up type stuff.

as for slapping, depending on how tasteful you are with it, dont stop man. i worked slap into a couple songs when i was in a rock/punk/quasi-emo (be gentle on the emo, it was years ago and i was young). i even found a passage or two in the reggae band i played in that sounded cool with a little slap.

on the rock side, i love throwing some evil, cutting, distorted slap in the mix. before my looping days, i used to run things through a small mixer, and the clipping distortion was just crazy. i kind of miss it.

that said, i have never played a song all slap. again, tasteful is the key.

Mo'Phat · #16 06-18-2009, 04:43 PM

So...save all that money and then buy a new bass. Stingrays are great for slap.

chicago_mike · #17 06-20-2009, 07:17 AM

How about the slapfest sound check jar? I need about 4 of those for starters.

varunkapahi · #18 06-20-2009, 11:34 AM

i was gigging today and went slapping during the guitar solos in a song, i got so drifted that i didn't realize when the solo ended and then the verse and the chorus, so i kept slapping through the changes so it looks intentional

but it was a lot of fun. everyone else liked it too. and it was a rock song, so you can slap rock too

father of fires · #19 06-20-2009, 11:46 AM

I save my slap for impromptu jam sessions between songs at band practice. It seems to satisfy my needs.

RTL · #20 06-20-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MirageBass

So I've been looking to hone my rock chops, being in LA and all, and I have found that I find myself slapping at the most inappropriate times while practicing my technique. It's great for funk and all, but the temptation to wank all over the board is always there and compromising my style. I want to focus on straight melody.

So I now own a "slap jar." It's a jar that sits in my room and accumulates money. Every time I inadvertently find myself slapping when I should be focusing on my rock technique, I put a dollar in the jar. This money goes towards buying alcohol for my bandmates.

I can tell you this, it's a damn effective deterrent.

Flea?!? Is that you??