I have never ever heard this in my life!
Me neither. The first slap guy who got my attention was Jeff Berlin. He hates it now.
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In Defense of Slapping
- Thread starter Bassist4Eris
- Start date
Me neither. The first slap guy who got my attention was Jeff Berlin. He hates it now.
There are different ways to slap as well. For example, I've seen guys play with the bass almost in their armpit. When they slapped, they had their thumbs pointing straight up as if they were giving a thumbs up, or hitchhiking. When playing, they looked like they were knocking on the bass, often playing directly on the neck, with a very stiff wrist. The guy that showed me the slapping ropes only slapped, no pop, and played about an inch away from the bridge, thumb pointing straight down. He would twist his wrist while leaving his thumb relaxed, causing it to kind of spring down and then naturally recoil back to the starting postion. That's more-or-less what I do, but I do it between the neck and pickup at about a 45° downward angle and work in some popping.
Billy Gould from Faith No More slapped almost everything and it fit perfectly. Absolutely fantastic in a live setting, and it never seemed overbearing. I slap some song parts that don't call for it to accentuate and/or addsome grit.
Billy Gould from Faith No More slapped almost everything and it fit perfectly. Absolutely fantastic in a live setting, and it never seemed overbearing. I slap some song parts that don't call for it to accentuate and/or addsome grit.
I'm just pissed that I can't do it as well as I'd like to......But it can be bad if used too much.
Once we get the the slap vs. no slap saga figured out let's move to something even more poignant like toilet paper preference.
Interesting thread.
Well a lot of people could agree with the personal opinion of Anthony Jackson, one of my bass heroes even if I totally disagree with his slap feedback.
A lot of people can sounds similar playing slap just because they don't evolve improving the skill, they just stop to the first achievement they got.
But is also true that we can say the same thing of all the players that play fingerstyle fast speed groove or soling using the same scale arpeggio patterns, if you focus on what they playing, they sounds all similar too.
The fact that a technique limits the expressivity and feel of a bassist/musician is just a nonsense stereotype.
Any techniques is great, it's only a matter to how we use it and if we decide to make music or not.
Here some of my videos to support that slap can fit any music style if you know how to use it
Well a lot of people could agree with the personal opinion of Anthony Jackson, one of my bass heroes even if I totally disagree with his slap feedback.
A lot of people can sounds similar playing slap just because they don't evolve improving the skill, they just stop to the first achievement they got.
But is also true that we can say the same thing of all the players that play fingerstyle fast speed groove or soling using the same scale arpeggio patterns, if you focus on what they playing, they sounds all similar too.
The fact that a technique limits the expressivity and feel of a bassist/musician is just a nonsense stereotype.
Any techniques is great, it's only a matter to how we use it and if we decide to make music or not.
Here some of my videos to support that slap can fit any music style if you know how to use it
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I'm new to the forum.
I started a slap discussion thread a few days ago and I wasn't prepared for the vitriol that came from it.
But I gave as good as I got and I think I touched some nerves.
Judging by the threads about slap that I've seen on this board and the hostility towards slap, it appears that generally, this is an anti-slap environment.
I think that's a shame.
Music is about expression, and subsequently the freedom of such expression.
Who determines the way one expresses themselves artistically is more valid than another?
Like @phillybass101 said, I've never heard a player who slaps hate on another player's style of play.
To revisit what I said in that thread and to somewhat echo the OP, I opined that most of this slap hate stems from two things.
1) People who heard a player who is unskilled or not tasteful or just a kid and take that as representative of the technique as a whole.
Bad playing is not restricted to one technique. There are bad fingerstyle and pick players in droves rocking away at Guitar Centers across the land.
Even that's a thin excuse because there are hundreds of thousands of records and videos with players who slap well and tastefully.
2) People who don't understand and thus do not respect funk/R&B/groove based music.
A friend of mine has a term for this perspective. He calls it "rockist" (you may have heard that term before, but he's a music journalist and I assure you that he originated that term). The "rockist" perspective is why Rolling Stone makes these ridiculous "100 Best" lists where Bob Dylan is ranked as a better singer than Teddy Pendergrass, or Kurt Cobain is ranked as a better guitar player than George Benson.
Too many rock players that I've spoken to believe that playing R&B/funk/disco/gospel is "easy", never really listen to it carefully, and they turn their nose up at it. They think of groove based playing techniques as parlor tricks. Then you listen to them attempt it and they absolutely suck at it.
R&B, funk and the like is made up of rhythmic complexities and nuances that are crucial, but overlooked because it doesn't sound "high brow". They used to call it jungle music. That was one of the nicer terms.
Some people listening to Louis Johnson slap line might be confused by the timing. They usually don't know where the one is, etc. They're lost and don't know what they're supposed to be hearing, so it registers to them as noise.
"But Louis slaps because he can't play fingerstyle!"
But I digress.
This is a prime example of what I'm talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o_NbNJ_fA3c
Now, Sheehan was humble enough to realize that he wasn't doing it properly.
He tried it without understanding it and failed. But instead of going on an anti-slap crusade, he simply went back to what he does well.
Some people cant tell the difference between what Sheehan played there and a beautiful slap part like this:
I somewhat disagree with the OP about slap as a function of funk music. Slap was develop specifically as a function of funk music. It has found its way into damn near every genre of popular music since but it was specifically developed as a funk technique. It's original function after Graham's innovation and application, was to amplify the rhythmic attack of a song with both the percussive elements and the tonal aggression. It's purpose was to make the groove funkier and hit harder.
Of course, this recalls how many musicians reviled the electric bass in the beginning and thought of it as either an abomination or a toy. They endlessly ridiculed any musician who dared to play one. Going so far as to say that the instrument could not in good faith be called a bass. There are still some musicians who feel that way. There are guitarists who think of bass as nothing but a low tuned guitar.
It's a familiar mix of arrogance and ignorance. It's not our fault that you ain't funky.
I started a slap discussion thread a few days ago and I wasn't prepared for the vitriol that came from it.
But I gave as good as I got and I think I touched some nerves.
Judging by the threads about slap that I've seen on this board and the hostility towards slap, it appears that generally, this is an anti-slap environment.
I think that's a shame.
Music is about expression, and subsequently the freedom of such expression.
Who determines the way one expresses themselves artistically is more valid than another?
Like @phillybass101 said, I've never heard a player who slaps hate on another player's style of play.
To revisit what I said in that thread and to somewhat echo the OP, I opined that most of this slap hate stems from two things.
1) People who heard a player who is unskilled or not tasteful or just a kid and take that as representative of the technique as a whole.
Bad playing is not restricted to one technique. There are bad fingerstyle and pick players in droves rocking away at Guitar Centers across the land.
Even that's a thin excuse because there are hundreds of thousands of records and videos with players who slap well and tastefully.
2) People who don't understand and thus do not respect funk/R&B/groove based music.
A friend of mine has a term for this perspective. He calls it "rockist" (you may have heard that term before, but he's a music journalist and I assure you that he originated that term). The "rockist" perspective is why Rolling Stone makes these ridiculous "100 Best" lists where Bob Dylan is ranked as a better singer than Teddy Pendergrass, or Kurt Cobain is ranked as a better guitar player than George Benson.
Too many rock players that I've spoken to believe that playing R&B/funk/disco/gospel is "easy", never really listen to it carefully, and they turn their nose up at it. They think of groove based playing techniques as parlor tricks. Then you listen to them attempt it and they absolutely suck at it.
R&B, funk and the like is made up of rhythmic complexities and nuances that are crucial, but overlooked because it doesn't sound "high brow". They used to call it jungle music. That was one of the nicer terms.
Some people listening to Louis Johnson slap line might be confused by the timing. They usually don't know where the one is, etc. They're lost and don't know what they're supposed to be hearing, so it registers to them as noise.
"But Louis slaps because he can't play fingerstyle!"
But I digress.
This is a prime example of what I'm talking about:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o_NbNJ_fA3c
Now, Sheehan was humble enough to realize that he wasn't doing it properly.
He tried it without understanding it and failed. But instead of going on an anti-slap crusade, he simply went back to what he does well.
Some people cant tell the difference between what Sheehan played there and a beautiful slap part like this:
I somewhat disagree with the OP about slap as a function of funk music. Slap was develop specifically as a function of funk music. It has found its way into damn near every genre of popular music since but it was specifically developed as a funk technique. It's original function after Graham's innovation and application, was to amplify the rhythmic attack of a song with both the percussive elements and the tonal aggression. It's purpose was to make the groove funkier and hit harder.
Of course, this recalls how many musicians reviled the electric bass in the beginning and thought of it as either an abomination or a toy. They endlessly ridiculed any musician who dared to play one. Going so far as to say that the instrument could not in good faith be called a bass. There are still some musicians who feel that way. There are guitarists who think of bass as nothing but a low tuned guitar.
It's a familiar mix of arrogance and ignorance. It's not our fault that you ain't funky.
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There is no war on slap.
It's a fabrication of Big Fingerstyle
to divide and weaken the bass playing community
They're coming for the pick players next.
It's a fabrication of Big Fingerstyle
to divide and weaken the bass playing community
They're coming for the pick players next.
Don't like it because you can't play it, OR, don't play/learn it because you don't like it?
I find slap very pretentious. It does my head in listening to music bombarded with such bass wankery. I don't want to learn slap because I have no interest in it, no songs that require it and it's not a sound or technique I want to participate in.
YMMV. but don't assume that I don't like it because I can't play it... because you'll be wrong.
I find slap very pretentious. It does my head in listening to music bombarded with such bass wankery. I don't want to learn slap because I have no interest in it, no songs that require it and it's not a sound or technique I want to participate in.
YMMV. but don't assume that I don't like it because I can't play it... because you'll be wrong.
On second thought, let's not post here. 'tis a silly thread.
Are you saying you CAN slap, but you choose not to?
So if you can, would you say that you're good at it?
Like if I threw you a fat wad of cash for a recording date and I needed you to play Let's Work, you could do it?
You'd hate every second of it but you COULD do it, right?
Bass wankery below:
I love slap bass. That's why I wrote two books about it
You can use slap in many genres not only in funk. Check Polyphia for example. You can use it in rock and prog and several other styles. The only limitation is your own imagination I guess.
So to hate slap is a bit narrow minded I think. Totally depends on who's doing it. Just like anything else.
You can use slap in many genres not only in funk. Check Polyphia for example. You can use it in rock and prog and several other styles. The only limitation is your own imagination I guess.
So to hate slap is a bit narrow minded I think. Totally depends on who's doing it. Just like anything else.
Did you actually comprehend what was written? I seriously doubt it?
What are you trying to prove by all this?
"I find slap very pretentious. It does my head in listening to music bombarded with such bass wankery. *I DONT WANT TO LEARN SLAP* because I have no interest in it, no songs that require it and it's not a sound or technique I want to participate in."
* My italics...
Once this sinks into your little grey cells, youll soon realise, the rest of your comments are superfluous and irrelevant.. and none of them prove "I don't like it because I can't play it" if thats what you're trying to prove ... it only proves your inability to comprehend what's right in front of you...
1:I don't like it because I don't like it.
2:I don't play it because I don't like it.
3:I haven't learned it because I don't like it.
Is that getting through to you?
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My reply contained what are called follow up questions for the purpose of clarification.
The root word of "clarification" is clarify.
clarify (ˈkler-ə-ˌfī) transitive verb
definition-1: to make understandable; 2: to free of confusion
I asked you to clarify (remember that word) because some of your hostile and condescending statements (which nobody asked you for) contradicted each other.
The root word of "contradicted" is contradict.
contradict (kän-trə-ˈdikt) transitive verb
definition-1: to assert the contrary of, take issue with; 2: to imply the opposite or a denial of
First, you said:
"I don't want to learn slap because I have no interest in it, no songs that require it and it's not a sound or technique I want to participate in."
Then, you said:
"...but don't assume that I don't like it because I can't play it... because you'll be wrong."
None of my questions made any assumptions about your intelligence or ability or lack thereof.
So all of your aggression is unwarranted.
I did use the term "bass wankery" but those were your words to describe the technique.
Now we know that you can't play bass with your thumb because you refuse to learn.
Based on your extremely emotional and somewhat unhinged replies in this thread, it appears that you came into this thread looking for a fight, which is both weird and unhealthy.
I sincerely hope that you don't think that your aggressive replies are intimidating or make you look tough.
Trying to act tough on a message board is a special type of dysfunction that frankly, you're too old for.
You can continue to argue with me but I'll just ignore you going forward.
Sleep tight, Guv'nor.
Your pal who can play bass with fingers, thumb, and a pick,
SpankBazz
My reply contained what are called follow up questions for the purpose of clarification.
The root word of "clarification" is clarify.
clarify (ˈkler-ə-ˌfī) transitive verb
definition-1: to make understandable; 2: to free of confusion
I asked you to clarify (remember that word) because some of your hostile and condescending statements (which nobody asked you for) contradicted each other.
The root word of "contradicted" is contradict.
contradict (kän-trə-ˈdikt) transitive verb
definition-1: to assert the contrary of, take issue with; 2: to imply the opposite or a denial of
First, you said:
"I don't want to learn slap because I have no interest in it, no songs that require it and it's not a sound or technique I want to participate in."
Then, you said:
"...but don't assume that I don't like it because I can't play it... because you'll be wrong."
None of my questions made any assumptions about your intelligence or ability or lack thereof.
So all of your aggression is unwarranted.
I did use the term "bass wankery" but those were your words to describe the technique.
Now we know that you can't play bass with your thumb because you refuse to learn.
Based on your extremely emotional and somewhat unhinged replies in this thread, it appears that you came into this thread looking for a fight, which is both weird and unhealthy.
I sincerely hope that you don't think that your aggressive replies are intimidating or make you look tough.
Trying to act tough on a message board is a special type of dysfunction that frankly, you're too old for.
You can continue to argue with me but I'll just ignore you going forward.
Sleep tight, Guv'nor.
Your pal who can play bass with fingers, thumb, and a pick,
SpankBazz
Your hypothetical response is pathetic. It attempts to clarify nothing ... for the clarity is in my original comment, which you missed.
Your comments are just as pretentious as your beloved technique.
"I find slap very pretentious. It does my head in listening to music bombarded with such bass wankery. *I DONT WANT TO LEARN SLAP* because I have no interest in it, no songs that require it and it's not a sound or technique I want to participate in."
* My italics...
1:I don't like it because I don't like it.
2:I don't play it because I don't like it.
3:I haven't learned it because I don't like it.
I don't understand how I can make it any more clearer for you..
What's left to clarify?
You didn't have to respond to my post but you did, you set out to prove something because I dislike something you like. Boo bloody Hoo..
Your response was an attack. Nothing more. Nothing less.
An attack because you can't handle the fact that not everyone likes what you like... Boo bloody Hoo.
Now you want to blame me for your attacks...
Why does the word Narcissist spring to mind? I guess it goes hand in hand with pretentious...
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