Is slap technique required to be a good funk player?

[Lichtaffen]

I like hearing others slap and pop, but I'm just not into it myself. I want to be a good all around funk/soul/r&b player, but I never mastered the slap thing. I just don't get into it as much as other things I'm learning. I have the "Slap-It" book that I've tried to use, but I just don't have the feel for it.

What's your opinion? Do you think it's necessary to know, or is it similar to two-hand tapping on the guitar: fun to listen to sometimes, but not essential to the music?

 

[J. Crawford]

Nahh. Lots of great funk players play without slap.

Guys like Larry Graham, Flea, Stu Zender, etc., are all still funky even when not slapping. But if its not broken...

I play lots of funk, and though at times I miss slapping, I dont do it anymore.

 

[line6bassist]

Nahh. Lots of great funk players play without slap.

Guys like Larry Graham, Flea, Stu Zender, etc., are all still funky even when not slapping. But if its not broken...

I play lots of funk, and though at times I miss slapping, I dont do it anymore.

+1 also Rocco Prestia is another great funk bassist who doesnt use the slap technique

 

[RCCollins]

if you really want to be soul/funk/r&b player, you should definitely dabble in slap - but it's not the only way to be funky, that's for sure. Myself, i like fingerstyle for funk

 

[Lonnybass]

Negatory! While I love to play with all the percussive stuff as much as the next guy, I find that it's always the simple well-placed notes that really make things move on the dance floor.

Listen to any of the James Brown stuff and you'll hear, it's all about Bootsy and what he plays on "the one." To play funkystyle convincingly, it's really all about taste.

Lonnybass

 

[Rickett Customs]

Fingerstyle is the primary, although knowing slap does not hurt.

 

[David Jayne]

Heck, you can play funk any way you want. Even with a pick:

 

[Plantbrain]

I like hearing others slap and pop, but I'm just not into it myself. I want to be a good all around funk/soul/r&b player, but I never mastered the slap thing. I just don't get into it as much as other things I'm learning. I have the "Slap-It" book that I've tried to use, but I just don't have the feel for it.

What's your opinion? Do you think it's necessary to know, or is it similar to two-hand tapping on the guitar: fun to listen to sometimes, but not essential to the music?

+1 what others have already stated. I think you should sit down and really try to learn. Give yourself time and patience. Do not give up. Play a little slap each day(3-5x a week) and then play the funk with the fingers. It was tough for myself initially. Always takes longer than you might think. But you will break into new territory after you start getting it. In other words, I do think it is worth it to you based on what you have said here and would encourage you to not give up learning the methods.
You will get it and learn how if you want it bad enough.

I think overall, the core is a good sound and feel. Slap will be of little use if not used tastefully whereas fingers might provide that tasteful feel. You can get some decent popping from fingers. Much of the good old school funk does not use slap/pop.
And it's friggin great

Still, you will like slap and pop, so learn it.
Will not hurt and you can slowly work it into things.

Tom

 

[J. Crawford]

The video that comes to mind is the one of Bobby Vega for BP Mag, and he demonstrates his technique. Super funky, and he uses a pick and his fingers!

He slaps too, but his pick playing is even better, IMO.

 

[Rickett Customs]

The 1 tricky thing about a pickstyle would be a few less dynamics compared to fingerstyle, especially in funk. However, still more than acceptable either way.

 

[David Jayne]

The 1 tricky thing about a pickstyle would be a few less dynamics compared to fingerstyle,

Gonna have to go ahead and disagree with ya there.....if you're good, dynamics are just as happening with or without a pick. I get all KINDS of dynamics with a pick, as do many others- it's not an issue.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

The 1 tricky thing about a pickstyle would be a few less dynamics compared to fingerstyle, especially in funk.

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

 

[Lichtaffen]

Ahem... hijack with the pick opinion? I asked about slap, not pick. With all due respect, of course.

 

[Jim Nazium]

To be a good funk player? No, certainly not required.

To be a versatile, well-rounded, in-demand funk player? I would say yes. Someone is going to ask you to play a slap line on a gig someday, and if you can't do it, you're going to get the hairy eyeball no matter how great your fingerstyle line is. I'm not saying that's right, that's just the way it is. It's in your best interest to have as many techniques at your disposal as possible.

 

[David Jayne]

Ahem... hijack with the pick opinion? I asked about slap, not pick. With all due respect, of course.

OK, well, you have your answer, which is no. Play how you want-any method can be funky. I only brought up pickstyle to illustrate that point.

 

[T-Funk]

if you really want to be soul/funk/r&b player, you should definitely dabble in slap - but it's not the only way to be funky, that's for sure. Myself, i like fingerstyle for funk

+1

I do not slap as often as I did several years ago.

Many of the songs I played slap-style in the past, I presently play finger-style. And, guess what? The songs still sound just as funky now as they did in the past (or just as non-funky, depending on who you ask. ).

Funk is more about laying down a specific type of groove rather than applying a certain technique. However, learning to slap is highly beneficial.

 

[T-MOST]

if you intend to play funk you will certainly be called upon to play a funk song with slap. You dont have to be great but you do need to be able to slap. There really is no way around it.

 

[David Jayne]

Someone is going to ask you to play a slap line on a gig someday,..

That is exceedingly rare. In 25 years it's happened to me maybe twice. But I'll concede it's a skill that should be developed.

 

[MikeyP23]

Not to sidetrack this thread (again) but does anybody who does slap use flatwounds?

Thanks.

 

[David Jayne]

Not to sidetrack this thread (again) but does anybody who does slap use flatwounds?

Thanks.

Check out Chuck Rainey on 'Peg.' The choruses.