Does Slap equal Funk?

[Helix]

So many times I’ve heard that to add some Funk to song you have to slap. To me Funk is just a groove, a genre, and can be finger plucked or even picked….not necessarily just slapped.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Torrente Cro]

Fast staccato notes equals funk, not necessary slapped

 

[spanndrew]

 

[ddnidd1]

Fast staccato notes equals funk, not necessary slapped

Fast staccato notes necessarily equal funk like slap does - namely neither implies funk.

Funk is a feel/groove. Not a technique.

 

[Helix]

Fast staccato notes necessarily equal funk like slap does - namely neither implies funk.

Agreed….I play in a metal band and add slap (very fast staccato notes) to some parts. But I wouldn’t call it funk.
But I responses that I am adding funk…..to me I’m just adding a tone

 

[Mushroo]

I'd say slap is considered somewhat UNfunky in the year 2015, just an opinion.

 

[kesslari]

Mark King - slap in a non-funk groove. Awesome, but not funk.
Bernard Edwards - funk without slap. Awesome and stanky.

 

[thabassmon]

Funk is about the groove it ain't a technique.

Doesn't matter how you bang the strings, just as long as you are groovin'.

I think that it's groove that a lot of people over look when they try to funk.

 

[Helix]

Mark King - slap in a non-funk groove. Awesome, but not funk.
Bernard Edwards - funk without slap. Awesome and stanky.

Very true....Case in point

 

[JdoubleH]

I'd say slap is considered somewhat UNfunky in the year 2015, just an opinion.

Invalid Link Removed today might just become passé

 

[Altitude]

Mark King - slap in a non-funk groove. Awesome, but not funk.
Bernard Edwards - funk without slap. Awesome and stanky.

Agreed. Another set -

Squarepusher - slap but not funk.
Frances Rocco Prestia - funk without slap.

 

[Matt Dean]

Funk is a feel. Slap can be funky or not. Finger style can be funky or not. Bernard Edwards played with a pick, funky!

 

[Helix]

Thanks guy's.....all very good points and examples

 

[SteveV74]

If you're Doug Johns it does.

 

[Kmonk]

Plenty of funk players do not slap or do so in limited amounts.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Slap does not equal funk necessarily, but it sometimes equals annoying (think GC bass gear section).

 

[kenneffdupriest]

I'm having the strangest deja vu right now........

Funk is an attitude.

 

[MegaSwing]

Funk to me means rhythmically edgy and harmonically outside the lines. Slap is not a necessary part of it, but totally fits that description. Funk is combining disparate ingredients into a beloved family pot, stirring them up, and seasoning the mix while it cooks, until it tastes good. Slap is just one of the spices that can go in. But anything goes in funk, as long as the beat flows as spontaneously as a force of nature, regardless of the tempo.

 

[Soren1]

Rocco is funky. He doesn't slap, doesn't solo, but he lays down the groove and it works.

 

[Stranger Danger]

So many times I’ve heard that to add some Funk to song you have to slap. To me Funk is just a groove, a genre, and can be finger plucked or even picked….not necessarily just slapped.
Anyone have any thoughts on this?

The funkiest bassist on the planet doesn't slap.