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.
