Double Jointed thumb and slapping and popping

[Spike7741]

Hello, so I must admit I signed up for this forum solely to find an answer to this question, but back in high school I took up the bass and took lessons for a good 6 months. Due to me getting frustrated, and school getting me down, I gave up. This summer, I decided to pick it back up again, and while I'm finding alot of my problems are disappearing with practice, I have a problem that my right thumb is double jointed (but not left). This really doesn't get in the way until I try to practice slapping and hammering, and while I can do the fluid motion required for it with my left thumb, my right thumb just can't seem to get more than a few slaps off at a time, and they are pretty slow. Can anyone give any tips with this?

 

[nsmar4211]

Unless your thumb is double joined sideways, being double jointed shouldn't affect slapping. At least, it doesn't with me, actually makes it easier because my thumb goes to an almost 90 degree angle. It's more of a matter of just building up your wrists and arm muscles!

 

[BassInUrFace]

+1, im not double jointed but for me slapping is more in the wrist.

 

[Grayson C.]

Both of my thumbs (and all of my first and third joints on my fingers) are heavily double jointed. I've never found it an issue. Are you naturally left handed? I found slapping to be difficult because I'm using my non-dominant hand to do so. Now it's not so bad after practice.

 

[Spike7741]

Yes, I am indeed left handed and find that I have no problem with that hand so that is a great theory. Practice fixing my problem was the answer I was hoping for so I'm much less worried now, especially since other double jointed people are saying it's more in the wrists.