For Those Who Slap

[Scatterblak]

What is it about the technique that you like so much?


And can we see some kool vids of the technique utilized in a platform that you find enjoyable?

And can we keep this thread positive? If slap is not your thing please refrain from putting it down.

To me, it's like asking 'why do you piano players like using those black keys as well?' -- the percussive snap and pop from a bass is part of the range of sounds it makes, and the sounds an instrument makes should all be fair game for application in a musical manner. I'm not a fan of *gratuitous* slapping by any means (except for my own, of course. Ha!), but there's precedent with most other instruments to make music utilizing technique not originally envisioned by the instrument creator(s); the rimshot as well as playing on parts of the drums that weren't designed for it comes to mind (Bonzo, Moon, and a million others); muting electric guitar strings for the percussive snap (Nile Rodgers, etc). Check out a P.D.Q. Bach piece to see all kinds of non-standard ways to play orchestral instruments.

Just about anything can be overused and made unmusical; that's not a reason to bag on a technique, that's a reason to grow some taste in application. Once the issues of 'what does it sound like? Is it too much? Does it suck? Does it add to the piece?' are taken out of the equation, then asking 'Why do you slap' is basically reduced to 'Why do you use all of the sonic possibilities of your instrument?'

Answer: Because it's fun, and the chicks dig it.

 

[cycler]

Why the Keith Jarrett hate ?

The Keith Jarrett of electric bass.....

 

[Petebass]

Relax. Most of those who knock slapping only do so because they can't do it and can't be bothered learning it.

 

[flypejose]

Massive groove, that's what slapping potentially does!

 

[Rojo Grande]

Why the Keith Jarrett hate ?

I am honestly reminded of Keith sometimes when I hear Kai do these pieces. There's a similar spirit. No malice intended....

 

[conqr]

Im really not sure what that comment alludes to. If you watch any of the Kai videos from BP this guy slap can slap in different time signatures and certainly employs melodic content in his lines whether its chordal or a diminished runs or what have you. I just think his technique is so good that it can fly past you in a blur of clean notes, but its alot more than root-octave or "machine gun" triplets. At its heart slap is percussive, thats the nature of the technique. Its nice when people like Kai, or Norm, or Marcus can take that technique and also employ melody. And the fact that this can still sound musical from a crappy youtube video is astonishing. Carried on for long periods of time any technique independent of a song is boring, ie a drum solo. I would much hear Danny Carey or Steve Gadd play in a song than play a solo. Essentially these videos and most solos in general are vehicles for demonstrating what you're capable of but cant put into a song as you would kill it within a bar!

Not familiar with Kai, so I may have misjudged based on a few YT clips. By 'percussive' I meant just as you say - a flurry of notes basically constituting fast, extended drum solos on bass - gets old very quickly no matter how well executed. Matter of fact - same goes for guitar for me - Malmsteen bores me to tears, but Vai brings me to tears.

 

[g&lplayer]

Massive groove, that's what slapping potentially does!

...thats insane.... I've gotten really tired of slapping lately (just because i used to use it too much) but I have honestly never heard it groove that much

 

[Music_for_life]

here it is roscoe beck with eric johnson, i love subtle slap, elegant.smart, i like when a bass player can achieve a tasty line without being flshy

 

[conqr]

here it is roscoe beck with eric johnson, i love subtle slap, elegant.smart, i like when a bass player can achieve a tasty line without being flshy

+1 - In an ensemble setting it doesn't get better than that!

 

[millerfreak]

I love slapping, and for me there's so much into it. I play different kind of style, melodic style, or sometimes just straight funk.

here's a few that you might like

 

[Rickett Customs]

What do I like about the technique? The sound produced.

Here is a man with his head screwed on Right....

 

[BuffaloBass]

YO TERRY!
NICE!!!!!

The Mallioux has a great voice as well!

 

[flypejose]

...and this one's just straight louise johnson/graham style

Love it, Nice job!

 

[Skitch it!]

I love what Terry Jackson does on this chilled Thomas Dolby track Budapest by Blimp, quite simple but the thumb sound sits so well and drives a very laid-back vibe, great song.

 

[Andrew Jones]

I love what Terry Jackson does on this chilled Thomas Dolby track Budapest by Blimp, quite simple but the thumb sound sits so well and drives a very laid-back vibe, great song.





Aj

 

[Skitch it!]

Wow,,,,that's a name I don't hear often and a album that U don't hear mentioned.

Mid 70's P bass with new rounds sounding like a nice twist on the Marcus jazz thing and NOT what you imagine with a P bass.


Here's Johney B Gayden rocking a heavy hand and some really bad hair....





Aj

Cool groove, great full sound for the thumb too.

So did Terry Jackson play a Precision for that track? I know that he did his audition for Dolby with a J bass, there is a TB member here whom did the audition at the same time, with a P bass as it goes, it's a very J sound on the track?

 

[neurotictim]

I'm not much of a slapper myself - not that I don't like it, but I don't find much use for it in my playing, and haven't practiced it nearly enough to be proficient.

One of my absolute favorite bassists of any technique, a guy I feel is very underrated hiding - Mark White of the Spin Doctors.

Very tasteful playing, carries the groove without overdoing it.

 

[Andrew Jones]

When I saw him on that tour the bassist was rocking a P bass..


Aj

 

[Dennis Kong]

Now THAT guy is doing something different -- harmonically at least.

Ya got that right!

Kai just showing the different things you can do crammed into a couple of minutes.
You should see him on 6 or 5 string some time!
or fretless slap.

I studied with him for a couple years:
He would demo those chops as musical exercises only.
& also demo the different styles & players as musical exercises too.

IE: one day we might be studying some of Marcus' s, or Victor's or Stanley's styles too.
and then trying to transcribe & play them too.

One of my lessons was transcribe & play a Bootsy groove from a Bernie Worrell tune.
Bootsy' style is pretty deceiving too.

Another one:
was to transcribe & play a couple of Kai's funk grooves from groove we 'd worked on earlier.
I had bust my chops to play just a couple of those phrases from that lesson.

or:
we just be trading 4's, 8's etc on grooves & solos with drum machine for a warm ups.

It took many years with him before I could get up to even somewhat close that level!
(and I still working on it.)

 

[Skitch it!]

When I saw him on that tour the bassist was rocking a P bass..


Aj

I'd have loved to have caught that tour, I've always been interested in Terry J as a player after that album but trying to get any info regarding him is pretty scarce ; )