Come all ye thunder thumbs

[pfactor2]

I’ve been at it 40+ years. I’d just like to pick your brains concerning slapping pull offs techniques. I have the grove and the math of it down but i seem to have problems with maybe , for right handers, left hand positioning on the instrument and always producing so much overtone or undesirable noise. Maybe it’s the set-up, amplifier setting, strings, I’ll include practice of course because I no I need that of all things. Your thoughts and help would be appreciated.
BTW, I generally use J bass or P bass if I desire I more 70’s sound, both are passive. Thank you in advance.

 

[pfactor2]

I’d say most of undesirable must be from right hand due to proximity to pick-up.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Slow it down reaaaally slow. That’ll highlight any technique issues.

Practice repeated hammer ons & pull off between two notes using fretting hand only...
- Clean & firm strike down, then
- plucking across string with very fast lift up.
- repeat.

 

[pfactor2]

I’ll work on that. Stress the slow
I’m sure. Now that you mention seams to be more prevalent as I try to make it happen more funky.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I’ll work on that. Stress the slow
I’m sure. Now that you mention seams to be more prevalent as I try to make it happen more funky.

There’s several tones you can get while slapping. Listen to Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall album - a masterclass in groovin’ slap lines.

 

[Geri O]

One thing I did was to record my playing, including my slap playing. Woo hoo, was that ever enlightening!

Recording will reveal so much about your technique. I suggest to record and listen carefully and if you are like me, don’t let the recording make you want to quit. Just start working on the most glaring things you hear, but don’t let it run you crazy! A lot of the weird little artifacts get lost “in the mix”, as it were. Meaning that a lot of the little things will be obscured by everything else bring mixed in with the bass.

Some folks might find it daunting, but I actually enjoy the process and I hope it makes me a better player.

 

[pfactor2]

Great suggestion thanks.
Practice practice!