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Is slap necessary for a working bassist?

#141
I learned to slap because it's fun. It's great to get into a groove with. If you're a more percussive player it will come more naturally. And it can really add to your rhythmic feel as it's so much more dependent on keeping a constant rhythm. Not many crossover skills to "normal" playing but it came in real handy when I got a gig in a cover band playing old-school Chili Peppers, FNM, RATM, etc. So if it's more an academic exercise you will have a ball with it. Put a drum loop on and slap away for hours.
 
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#142
You can't really wait until you need it, I don't think. Oh, we're playing that Level 42 song next week? I'll learn slap. I've got a whole week ;-)

Same as education in general. I don't need to know math, says the 5th grader. Like s/he knows what she's going to need...

I've missed out on some opportunities in life due to lack of skills. One time I developed the skill after the missed opportunity and never got a second chance. Not that slap per se is a gateway to riches, but just a general thought about taking the time to learn things, especially if you're putting the time in anyway.
 
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#143
I'm totally useless at it.

But then, it's not just for funk. We had a customer in the store who was a huge funk/r&b master, could easily have given Bootsy Collins a run for his money. He comes by the store and we've got FRAGILE by Yes playing over the PA demo stack. He REALLY likes the tone Chris Squier was getting. 'Who's that band' he asked, 'gotta get me some of that'.

He comes back in a few weeks later. 'Hey, you still got that Yes stuff in here? Put it on'. He proceeds to slap a letter-perfect 'Roundabout' completely correct, no funk shadings to it. We were all standing around with our mouths open at this display. It fit perfectly.

THAT's what the great players do.
 
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#145
OP, like you I have a broad spectrum of experience both as a pro in my early years, and a weekend warrior for decades after that. Everything including jazz combos/big band, classical, musical theatre, r&b/smooth jazz bands, corporate band, country, etc. Out of the list you can guess which one or two MIGHT have required slap. I never became proficient because, 1. It was never really required, 2. I didn't do it enough because of 1.. There were so many other skills that focused my attention because of actual requirements of the numerous situations I've chosen to play in. With those skills, I managed to achieve a very busy schedule and acceptance. That being said...

I recently joined a fusion jazz band in order to have a situation where I would have more opportunity to apply slap, because it is an reasonable and current choice of technique for that genre. So, I'm choosing to learn more because I want to have the option of being acceptable at a fairly high level in that particular genre. Mastery, probably not. Competent, I'll be happy with. There's still all that other stuff that needs to be refined, explored, and enjoyed. It is a long journey.. and it isn't boring.

At your stage of experience, it's not a requirement; which I suspect is your conclusion, as well. You should only do it if that's what you want to do.... no other reason.

I'm older than you, btw....
 
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#146
Define "work." This is hyper-contextual... Never hurts to have lots of tools in your box, but who solicited you to provide service in the first place? If it's a funk/R&B/Gospel gig, you'd best have the slap thing going on...although you may not need the hyper-technical slap thing that a lot of folks bring to their solo opportunities.
 
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#148
If you're a working sideman and trying to book top-40, disco, dance, or wedding gigs, you better be prepared when somebody calls out Brick House.

Nobody hires me because I can play Vic/Marcus solos, but they know that if someone puts $50 in the tip jar and asks for Thank You or Got To Be Real we aren't going to have to give their money back.
 
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#150
KJMO said:
I'm a terrible slapper (the peak of my ability is Larry Graham Hair), but I'm in an 80's band that plays corporate gigs, private parties, bars and events, so I have to be able to play some relatively simple slap. In fact, I play a little slap in another band that is Americana, Rockabilly, etc. (on shotgun and a couple others). I wouldn't have to, but I want it to sound like that, so it's good I can.

On the one hand, I feel like if you're in a band that never requires it, then why would you have to be able to. On the other hand, I wonder if it is like not being able to play brushes for drums. I think most musicians try to be generalists to some extent, but for some reason a lot of bassists make some sort of of moral issue out of abstaining from some styles, which is weird.

The band recently added "lessons in love", and I can't do it, so there is that. I don't think I'll physically be able to, ever, so I feel like that's a failure. I'm not going to try to justify it in any way.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't let it bother you, Mark King himself says that bass part is a challenge to play
 
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#151
thmsjordan said:
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.
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Slap is great fun. My band only play a few songs with slap in (Brick House, Stomp etc) but I love it. It took me a lot of time to nail the technique. Make sure you learn good habits from the start. The Bass Wizard has an online course. Play using an amp so you can hear all the strings ringing that you don’t want to ring. Taming the strings is one of the hardest parts. Or use a string dampener on the first fret but it’s best to learn to use left and right hands to mute strings you’re not playing. Learn the correct thumb technique. I used to bounce off the strings which is sometimes necessary but the press through technique is better (bit like a rest stroke on classical guitar). The Bass Wizard has very good technique IMHO. He has a YouTube video on how to play Detroit by Marcus Miller. You’ll learn a whole host of great techniques from that.
 
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#156
NeonVomit said:
In a session, people will ask for it on occasion. So you better be prepared to be able to do it when asked. Which will not be often, but definitely possible.
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This is like everything, right?

"Hey, can you try slapping that part please"
"Hey can you try that with a pick instead please"
"Hey, this will sound much better on a fretless"

etc etc

If I was ever trying to be a pro, I would make it my business to learn every damn thing possible on the instrument, so my answer would always be "no problem"

But for those of us who play for fun, do what you enjoy, and ignore what you dont. For example, there is no chance I will ever learn tapping. I think it's an abomination.
 
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#157
WrapRough said:
This is like everything, right?

"Hey, can you try slapping that part please"
"Hey can you try that with a pick instead please"
"Hey, this will sound much better on a fretless"
Click to expand...

Precisely. I've played a bunch of sessions where the producer asked me to use a pick because they want that specific sound. I use a pick precisely 0% of the time on my own stuff, but if you're asked you gotta deliver. You're a hired gun, after all :p
 
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#158
I'm a weekend warrior in a pop cover party band, and honestly I can say that in 4 years of this band career I slapped in two songs. In both cases slapping was not necessary, I just wanted to see if I can do it.
OTOH if you're planning to go the fusion road, well, this might be necessary. But I'm quite sure that experienced bass player like you will need exactly one day to get your slapping abilities from zero to acceptable level.
 
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#159
Personally I found slapping the hardest technique I’ve learnt. Pick and fingers came much more easily. With slap you’re emulating bass and drums (this is why Larry Graham started it). And you’re trying to emphasis the melody notes. The ghost notes are really important too. Marcus Miller is a master of melodic slap IMHO. As is Victor Wooten but that stuff is way too hard for me.
 
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