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I slapped...on a gig. I SLAPPED!!

#44
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#47
Congratulations to the OP, you're on your way to becoming an elite bass player. I believe it was Anthony Jackson who said slapping was the "ketchup" of the bass world. Me, I love ketchup. I work a few slap licks into every song. ACDC? Yep. Led Zeppelin? Of course. Willie Nelson? Definitely. Here's a few tips: put one leg on the monitor (see Creed) and point to a random chick in the crowd right before you tear into your tasty riff. Now as you start, close your eyes and make a face like you're dropping a deuce. This lets everyone know you mean business. After you're done blowing their minds it's time to blow on your fingers like you're putting out a fire. You might take a minute to high-five crowd members and dab the sweat from your brow before returning to the song. Don't worry about your backup band, they'll love it. You're welcome.
 
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#49
/\/\3phist0 said:
Well we did not ask....
He could have been playing upright. . In a rockabilly band :)
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Ooooh.... a Level 42 cover in my bluegrass band! Now you're talking...

Our wedding agreements include performing a few songs selected by the party--we usually stick with the phrase "in the genre," but recently we did a gig where they requested "Take on Me" by AHA. We learned it. No slapping, though.

/derail
 
#51
Smooth_bass88 said:
I cannot believe I'm about to say this. I'm feeling a little confused on the inside. But I just need to get this off my chest...

I slapped (& popped) at my gig last night. I know, I know, I've been vehemently opposed to using this technique for years unless it was absolutely necessary. But I can say with 100% certainty that is was 100% necessary, even required, to play this particular piece.

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I was smart about it, even discreet. Didn't use too much treble, tried not to take peoples' heads off. I made it a point to keep the groove solid...and in the pocket. I think I pulled it off. It was only 1 song.

I hope this doesn't change things. I don't think it will.

I'm not fishing for support here. I'm just letting these feelings out. Maybe others can be inspired. I feel much better now. Thanks for listening.
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Say two Hail Leos, pray a Novena to St. Jamerson, put a set of Labella Flatwounds on your bass. Now go and sin no more. ;)
 
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#52
tonemachine said:
One day I hope we live in a world without this faux disdain for slap.
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Personally I have nothing against slap if done tastefully, with some restraint and in context (like not in cover songs that don't have it). But the one thing that gets me going is those that equate slapping to bass playing ability: If you don't slap you are automatically not as good as those who do, or if you suddenly start then you are at some elite level. As others said: slapping nothing more than another technique like picking or palm muting. Too many young 'uns think that learning bass is nothing more than yanking stings on a bass, instead of learning what a bass player's proper role is in a band.
 
#53
G On Bass said:
Personally I have nothing against slap if done tastefully, with some restraint and in context (like not in cover songs that don't have it). But the one thing that gets me going is those that equate slapping to bass playing ability: If you don't slap you are automatically not as good as those who do. Too many young 'uns think that learning bass is nothing more than yanking stings on a bass, instead of learning what a bass player's proper role is in a band.
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+1

There are occasions when it is simply the correct sound. I don't have to be in love with every song I play.
 
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#55
I used to hate slapping, the sound of it drove me nuts. What really drove me nuts though was it seemed like every person I talked about bass with would ask me three questions in this order. Can you play? Are you any good? Can you slap? They would ask if I could slap as if it was proof of the second question. But one day I joined a band and for some reason I just felt like slapping worked a lot withing the context of the music. Which personally I found weird because it was metal. However like many said before me, it is a slippery slope. Now I can't stop and I find myself slapping in my sleep. Get out while you still can.
 
#60
Smooth_bass88 said:
I cannot believe I'm about to say this. I'm feeling a little confused on the inside. But I just need to get this off my chest...

I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I was smart about it, even discreet. Didn't use too much treble, tried not to take peoples' heads off. I made it a point to keep the groove solid...and in the pocket. I think I pulled it off. It was only 1 song.

It's as if you made love to a girl that you had ambivalent feelings about.
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