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Difficuly Slapping & Popping Octaves on the E String

Octaves

Octaves

Guest
Jun 22, 2012
386
14
#1
Hi Ya'll,

I'm currently developing my slap technique. A former teacher told me you have to position your right hand like a tool, so that the wrist can pivot back and forth in a "hammering" motion so that you can slap at different speeds on the fretboard. I understand this.

He also said that the right hand has to "hold" it's shape and that at no time should you be moving or wriggling the first finger in order to pop. I also understand this.

I have very few problems slapping the A string and popping on the G string (am able to hold the shape with my right hand). However, when it comes to slapping and popping octaves on the E string, it's a whole other story. Whilst i am able to slap the E string, i find that i often wriggle my first finger (popping finger) in order to fit between the D and G strings. In other words, i find it hard to maintain that static right hand "shape" in order to get a proper pop on the D string.

Is there anything i could do to work on this?

Maybe for now should i be working on right hand technique and really making sure that the pop & slap shape of my right hand is secure before attempting on the E string?

The awkward thing is that most demos in videos show slightly different ways to pop. Some say to pull the finger outwards. I am starting with a new teacher in May, so will be interested to see what he has to say :)
 
#2
I've never been with a teacher, but here's my take (while at work, away from my bass):

I understand that good technique is important, has purpose, but as far as I can imagine I must readjust my hand just a little if I want to do what you're suggesting. While in one position I may be able to slap one string and pop the next string up (ie: slap the A, pop the D), that same position isn't conducive to easily allow me to slap the E and skip a string to pop the D - the string is in a different place, farther away, while my thumb remains in the same place. My hand/popping finger needs to open or extend enough to reach that next farther string.
 
#4
The issue is playing slap octaves from the E to D string. I find that the G string interferes with my ability to pop the D string correctly. It's like my popping finger can't quite get a clean smooth sound when i'm popping the D string because it gets stuck between the D and G strings. In other words, the G string gets in the way, and i feel i've got to wriggle my popping finger a little in order to make it fit in and you're not supposed to do that. The right slapping hand is supposed to stay in it's shape so that the hand becomes like tool.

I think it is an accuracy issue. I'm going to practice it when i get home tonight and see if it has improved.
 
#5
I sort of had that problem because I have huge hands. I went on you tube to watch others play and found this guy Uriah Duffy slapping. His right hand is positioned different from everyone else. He has his index bent at the knuckle at all times and the other fingers are straight and relaxed, not in a fist position. That seems to work for me. I guess you just have to try different hand positioning.
 
#7
Octaves said:
The issue is playing slap octaves from the E to D string. I find that the G string interferes with my ability to pop the D string correctly. It's like my popping finger can't quite get a clean smooth sound when i'm popping the D string because it gets stuck between the D and G strings. In other words, the G string gets in the way, and i feel i've got to wriggle my popping finger a little in order to make it fit in and you're not supposed to do that. The right slapping hand is supposed to stay in it's shape so that the hand becomes like tool.

I think it is an accuracy issue. I'm going to practice it when i get home tonight and see if it has improved.
Click to expand...

I see, now I got what your problem is, well this is a common issue on bass player when they starting to learn slap technique.
Indeed one of the most hard thing to get used is combine the thumbing and plucking in small portion of your bass, especially between strings.
It's fun answering you on this thing, because I'm just writing some advanced exercises about this in my upcoming instructional book.
Anyway here a good way to proceed:
1 - With octave exercises work on chromatic progression, for example start thumbing from the G on 3rd fret E string and plucking with index finger on the octave on D string and move up to the 12th fret and move back.
Work with these patterns:
A - eighth notes TP1 (pluck index finger)
B - triplet notes TTP1
C - sixteenth notes TTTP1
B and C give you the "time" to pluck a note between strings
than apply the P2 (pluck middle finger) on P1 and repeat the exercises, and than when you're confident with that the final thing; when play this chromatic exercise just play each pattern and alternate P1 and P2, for example on D string G P1, G# P2, A P1, A# P2 etc
2 - Same thing but different pattern
B - T on low note and P1P2 on the high note
C - TT on low note and P1P2 on the high note
IMPORTANT work with metronome from 60 (the hardest) to 100, when you change the tempo just do in this way 60 than set 80 than 100, he will help you with the time keeping. And don't forget: thumb and pluck need to have the same dynamic!! It's so important when you study and play slap.
When you done with these samples you ready to move to the next and hardest step, working on thumb and plucking on crossing exercise with interval of fifth.
Hope this will help you. For any other help feel free to pv me.
Now time for espresso ;-)
Cheers.
 
#8
I used to have that problem, you can try placing your first finger almost parallel to the string and pop with the side of your fingertip instead of popping it with your finger placed perpendicular to the strings, so the finger can make it into the space between the D and G strings
 
#9
Hey, thanks everyone! I'll try all these things when i get home.

That's some pretty mean (good) exercises enricogaletta, i'll give those a go when i get home too :) I'm also going to check out your YouTube chanel :)
 

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