Is slap necessary for a working bassist?

[thmsjordan]

Hey you wacky hipsters

I just wanted to say that this post was inspired by the venerable Dr Cheese who inspired me to ask this question. In his thread "What aspect of your technique impresses you the least?" I noticed many players bemoaning their poor slap technique. I am 61 now and have had a very busy freelance career doing Show work, Jazz gigs, and Classical orchestral work to the point where I never learned to "slappa da bass". I recently left the Eastern US and relocated back to my home town (fairly good sized city btw) to spent my later years with family. I gotta say I was never asked to use it by anyone who hired me and only close friends I play with are asking me to play more contemporary jazz stuff that has it in the original recording. So I am considering putting the student hat on after all these years to learn.


NOW - this is not a post to either endorse or discourage slap technique but rather to ask: What do you gents and ladies think? What is your experience? Is it a necessary part of a working bassists tool kit? Please include what you do in your answer. Are you a bedroom bassist? Session player? Weekend Warrior? Teacher? etc.

I already have my answer. My experience has been that I never really needed it and I know of lots of UBER FUNKY players such as Jimmy Johnson, Paul Jackson, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorious etc. who got by without it and there are numerous examples of players who use it well. It is always interesting to learn new things and so I want to hear from all or you.

 

[Acidic Pool]

It depends on the style. There have been time periods where it was really popular (80s synth funk, 90s funk rock, 00s nu metal), but you can kinda "fake it" by dialing in a bright tone and playing aggressively.

 

[mexicant]

Just another tool in the toolbox,necessary no ,but useful at times. Also a great way to annoy your bandmates!

 

[LBS-bass]

It depends on the style. There have been time periods where it was really popular (80s synth funk, 90s funk rock, 00s nu metal), but you can kinda "fake it" by dialing in a bright tone and playing aggressively.

I'm going with this answer. I'm really crappy at it. I can pop an octave or a fifth with my fingertips and get some sort of slappy pseudo sound going, and in my experiences (and in the music I play) no one has ever complained about it or noticed it.

I would likely shy away from any song that was built on a heavy slapped line I couldn't fake well. I'd also avoid auditioning for the band that primarily wants that kind of playing.

One of my bands did a lot of funky stuff and you can play pretty aggressively in funk to get a lot across without slapping. I might get hired for an old-school funk band but I don't think I'd ever make the grade in a RHCP tribute. But I've never been turned down at an audition and no one has ever asked to hear me slap in an audition. They're usually just amazed that I learned their audition list. So I'd say it can be a limitation, depending on genre, but it's not that serious an issue unless you're really into that sound. And if you are, you will want to learn it, anyway.

 

[WrapRough]

I love slap bass, but no other musicians I have ever played with did

 

[jd56hawk]

2,000 plus songs on my ipod...1,975 without someone slapping a bass.
So...

 

[iammr2]

It's always fun learning a new technique if you're interested in it. Even if you don't use it much, it's available if you have to and you might learn other things along the way. BTW, I'm about your age and I still try learning new things. It's fun!

 

[WrapRough]

2,000 plus songs on my ipod...1,975 without someone slapping a bass.
So...

But those 25 are sweeeeeeeet

 

[grillman]

From my experience I would say it is not necessary to be GOOD at it for most situations. However being able to make the occasional Pop or two carry a tune with good Rhythm can prove themselves helpful.

 

[Chad Michael]

As a 'has been' (currently) cover - band bassist, here is my take...

If it is my job to represent the bass line in a song, it is also my job to use the appropriate technique. Within my first year of learning to play, the fingers and the pick and the thump / pluck all received attention as I was practicing. Zero regrets in becoming proficient in all 3 techniques.

Is it necessary for a working bassist? No, but I promise you that fellow musos and audience can appreciate 'us' being versatile.... they can hear the difference.

 

[BrotherMister]

My experience has been that I never really needed it

In my professional playing career I can safely say the same as you. I've never really need it. I've yet to meet a working bass player who has been called on to really get into it and do it. The only time it's ever been essential, and I mean if you don't play this line as a slap line you've messed up, was when it cropped up in the part for 'Return To The Forbidden Planet'. You can't even fake it because it's 8 bars of solo bass! It's easily the most unmusical moment ever but that's how the show was written so you've got to respect that. There are a few slap fills in the part for Rent as well.

Included those two very specific moments I can still count in one hand how often I've needed to do it! Do I know how to do it? Sure thing! I don't particularly enjoy it but as insurance. You might never want to do it, or need it, but if it ever crops up you'll be glad you've got it. I never want my house to be broken into but if it then I'm hoping my insurance covers it.

 

[nickpc]

But those 25 are sweeeeeeeet

And most are probably sitcom theme songs - Seinfeld, Barney Miller, Sanford & Son, Night Court...

 

[Rolling Thunder]

It depends

This was going to be my answer. If you're playing with new people, be up front. Guitarists will do the same: "I'm not a shredder".

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Depends on the genre played. It's not that difficult to get to a point of being able play an acceptable level of slap. With a band playing, simpler slap is often a better fit any ways.

 

[two fingers]

Nah. I know how to do it. I rarely ever use it. You don't "need" it.

BUT....

At 61 it might just be something fun to try to learn. You've been doing things the same way for a long time. Treat it as a fun project. If you get a short way down that road and can't stand it, stop. No biggie.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Hey you wacky hipsters

I just wanted to say that this post was inspired by the venerable Dr Cheese who inspired me to ask this question. In his thread "What aspect of your technique impresses you the least?" I noticed many players bemoaning their poor slap technique. I am 61 now and have had a very busy freelance career doing Show work, Jazz gigs, and Classical orchestral work to the point where I never learned to "slappa da bass". I recently left the Eastern US and relocated back to my home town (fairly good sized city btw) to spent my later years with family. I gotta say I was never asked to use it by anyone who hired me and only close friends I play with are asking me to play more contemporary jazz stuff that has it in the original recording. So I am considering putting the student hat on after all these years to learn.


NOW - this is not a post to either endorse or discourage slap technique but rather to ask: What do you gents and ladies think? What is your experience? Is it a necessary part of a working bassists tool kit? Please include what you do in your answer. Are you a bedroom bassist? Session player? Weekend Warrior? Teacher? etc.

I already have my answer. My experience has been that I never really needed it and I know of lots of UBER FUNKY players such as Jimmy Johnson, Paul Jackson, Rocco Prestia, Jaco Pastorious etc. who got by without it and there are numerous examples of players who use it well. It is always interesting to learn new things and so I want to hear from all or you.

If it is, I'll starve to death!

 

[Rob1957]

I know a local jazzy type band whose bass player does nothing but slap. Great in doing uptempo funky stuff. Can’t play a slow tune or something with a Latin/Afrocuban worth a damn. So they are very limited in what they can do.

I don’t slap but I can do finger style funk and reggae all night long. Slap is just another tool the toolbox to me

 

[Pings Bass]

If you're looking for work with a 70s funk act (or one of those modern Berklee Funk/Abercrombie and Funk outfits) you probably need it. Otherwise, it's just one of several ways of making notes more percussive. I do not consider myself proficient at slapping at all, but I've definitely used it on a few songs with bands in the past. Good to have many tools in your tool box. But... nothing's required/everything's permitted at a certain point in your career.

 

[JRA]

i've played fretless so there's hasn't been a lot of pressure on me to slap. but FWIW: when i had a fretted at my disposal = i would get a little slap going now and then to keep the technique 'refreshed'.

i'm retired, 71 y.o., former pro/full-time player. post covid i expect to play some --- with one or two regular bands and some pickup jazz gigs. none of that involves/requires slap.

 

[taliesin]

If you are going to continue as a working player then you only need it if you want gigs that require it.

I know that is kind of circular but if you get enough work still in the genres you did previously then no - but if there's a lot of work in funk/soul bands where you are now there will probably be some songs where it is idiomatic for that song.