how to slap

[c4lvint1me]

how to slap?

 

[SunnBass]

First, be sure the person really deserves it.
Now we must think about your technique. Open-hand, backhand? They both have their advantages but I find the backhand to be best suited for tighter spaces (ie: slapping someone in a hallway). Also I like to try to add a little downward motion, not just side to side, get a little arc in there, It will increase your velocity therefore increasing impact.
Good luck!

 

[Mushroo]

Find the best slapper in your city/town and ask him/her for lessons.

 

[facepalmmaster]

Details please? What kind of bass do you have? How much experience do you have with finger style/picking? What kind of slap? Flea's style? Larry Graham's style? Your question is a bit too open ended.

 

[conqr]

with thumb

 

[Ezmar]

I suppose with as vague as you're being the best advice I could give would be to listen to anyone who does slap, among their ranks, Flea, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham, Victor Wooten, Etc. and try to emulate their motions to some extent, but most importantly, try to reproduce the sound until you get a slap sound that you like. Don't forget about pops, either, pulling a string up and snapping it against the fretboard.

 

[Aaron_D]

Stay relaxed and dont use too much force. Left hand muting is also key.

and this thread is hilarious.

 

[Jungy]

Find the best slapper in your city/town and ask him/her for lessons.

Be careful not to mix up the best slapper with the biggest slapper. Unless of course you're into that kind of thing.

 

[Tupac]

This thread is just ridiculous. Wow. Why?

 

[Roy Vogt]

OK, here's some actual information.
This is a clip from Alex Sklarevski's The Slap Bass Program
There are a whole series of these excerpts on Youtube (or even better, buy Alex's DVD)

 

[Ezmar]

There's also a stickied thread in this very forum, called The Slap Bass Welcome Center.

Check that out.

 

[69shovlhed]

thanks for the youtubes. i'm gonna go try that myself