How to Double slap faster (not double thumb)

[RoccoBass04]

I've been working on a fast triplet ghost note lick which has a double slap every time the lick repeats and I find that the double slap is holding me back from getting it up to speed but I don't know how to double slap faster apart from note bouncing off the string much and I find that some days I can do it faster than others, it feels quite random. Any help is appreciated as I have been working on the lick for a few months and still haven't got it to speed consistently. I am pretty proficent at slapping as I can do tommy the cat, higher ground, can't stop etc.

 

[Les Fret]

By double slap I guess you mean two thumb strokes? Do you have an example of a bassline you have trouble with? Or display the lick you are talking about. Otherwise it’s wild guessing.

 

[Wasnex]

I've been working on a fast triplet ghost note lick which has a double slap every time the lick repeats and I find that the double slap is holding me back from getting it up to speed but I don't know how to double slap faster apart from note bouncing off the string much and I find that some days I can do it faster than others, it feels quite random. Any help is appreciated as I have been working on the lick for a few months and still haven't got it to speed consistently. I am pretty proficent at slapping as I can do tommy the cat, higher ground, can't stop etc.

Practice, practice, practice. At some point the tempo gets faster than it can be done. The limit varies by your physiology and level of training. It also varies by how well your body and mind are working at a particular time.

Why do you not want to consider double thumb? Pretty sure you can maintain a faster tempo longer with double than single.

I used to play along with this using single thumb (long before I had learned any double thumb).

It took awhile for me to develop the necessary speed. Also, like you, how well I could do it varied a bit from day to day. Over time I got better and more consistent.

If I worked this song up now, I would probably try double thumb.

An example of the lick you are trying to master would be helpful. Lot's of different ways to slap a triplet.

 

[RoccoBass04]

Here it is. It is from my grade 8 (trinity) book and the song is Tommy the cat. This part of the song is the only bit I can't do. T stands for slap, P for pop, S for strum, H for left hand hammer on. The tempo is 125 bpm.

 

[RoccoBass04]

Practice, practice, practice. At some point the tempo gets faster than it can be done. The limit varies by your physiology and level of training. It also varies by how well your body and mind are working at a particular time.

Why do you not want to consider double thumb? Pretty sure you can maintain a faster tempo longer with double than single.

I used to play along with this using single thumb (long before I had learned any double thumb).

It took awhile for me to develop the necessary speed. Also, like you, how well I could do it varied a bit from day to day. Over time I got better and more consistent.

If I worked this song up now, I would probably try double thumb.

An example of the lick you are trying to master would be helpful. Lot's of different ways to slap a triplet.

I can't as I am doing it for an exam and the sheet music just says slap not double thumb so I don't think it would be allowed

 

[RoccoBass04]

By double slap I guess you mean two thumb strokes?

Yes

 

[Les Fret]

View attachment 5120583 Here it is. It is from my grade 8 (trinity) book and the song is Tommy the cat. This part of the song is the only bit I can't do. T stands for slap, P for pop, S for strum, H for left hand hammer on. The tempo is 125 bpm.

Aha, that’s the same he plays in laquerhead. The two thumb strokes at the end of the sextuplet and beginning of the next one you mean. Try bouncing more with your thumb. And don’t play through the string to the next string, that will slow you down.

 

[Wasnex]

I can't as I am doing it for an exam and the sheet music just says slap not double thumb so I don't think it would be allowed

As @Les Fret suggested, I think the key for the double T is in the bounce. I can do three really fast single thumb strikes by bouncing the thumb off the string/fretboard. But after the third strike I need something else to sustain the tempo.

The other key is you need to internalize the pattern so you don't need to think...you just play it. This is the tricky part because different people tend to have different slap styles and use different patterns. A pattern that is intuitive and easy for one person will seem confounding to someone else.

This pattern is somewhat confounding to me. For me, the problem is not the double T, it's coordinating the opening and closing of the fingers on the left hand to be ready for the next H. I believe the index finger stays down to provide muting (bars across the strings). I think the finger used for the H needs to sort of immediately leave the string after the strike.

Start slow and play it in. It may be useful to break the lick into two sections and work each section up before integrating them into one lick.

 

[Wasnex]

Consider visualizing the pattern rather than always playing it on the bass. This will allow you to practice at random times during the day...when you don't have access to your instrument.

 

[RoccoBass04]

Aha, that’s the same he plays in laquerhead. The two thumb strokes at the end of the sextuplet and beginning of the next one you mean. Try bouncing more with your thumb. And don’t play through the string to the next string, that will slow you down.

Wouldn't bouncing more slow your down because of economy of emotion?

 

[Les Fret]

Wouldn't bouncing more slow your down because of economy of emotion?

not if you stay close to the string.

 

[RoccoBass04]

If you learnt this, is it worth using a metronome to build it up?

 

[RoccoBass04]

not if you stay close to the string.

Thank you alot that tip has really helped me my speed has improved alot.

 

[RoccoBass04]

As @Les Fret

Start slow and play it in. It may be useful to break the lick into two sections and work each section up before integrating them into one lick.

Thanks for the tip that is helping alot.

 

[Wasnex]

Wouldn't bouncing more slow your down because of economy of emotion?

Not at all. The thumb must be raised for the next thump; so let the bounce help. When using single thumb I pretty much always use the bounce. If the note is sounded, the thumb hits the string and immediately bounces off, so the string can ring.

 

[Les Fret]

Thank you alot that tip has really helped me my speed has improved alot.

Ok great. Glad I could help!

 

[RoccoBass04]

And for some reason it makes my shoulder feel tired sometimes even though slap is in your forearm but only on this lick?

 

[RoccoBass04]

Do you know why?

 

[RoccoBass04]

Ok great. Glad I could help!

Do you know why it makes my shoulder feel tired sometimes even though slap is in your forearm but only on this lick?

 

[Groove Doctor]

1. Try the base of your thumb for muted thumb notes, then the tip of your thumb for regular thumb slapped notes.
Drop the H for now and just focus on T and P and a flowing wrist motion.
I find this works easier on 4 string basses.

2. Reverse the P H T and play P T H instead.
The pop needs to be more finger action than a wrist action.

3. Shoulder fatigue is from tension & playing faster than you’re capable of. Take frequent breaks, slow it down, modify to suit as needed.