Is slap technique required to be a good funk player?

[foq1978]

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

Thanks.

I was going to ask the same question.

I do use flats, by the way.

And I have never mastered slapping (even when using rounds). it's a skill I really feel bad for not developing.

 

[G00D+~VIBES]

I slap a little in my time or at rehearsal for fun, but I never slap in performance. However, I DO use a "pop" here and there at shows. A tasteful "pop" w/ a snare or on the off-beat gives an element of punctuation that I cannot get otherwise. They are few and far between however. I also try and incorporate a "popped" hammer-on on the one or 3 or 4 depending on the groove.

In summary I like a *little* pop with my finger funk. It's like steak sauce, not good for every bite, but delicious if used in moderation.

And I use flats either Roto 77's or chromes.

 

[Jon Moody]

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

This.

Nothing is cooler than a greasy, fingerstyle funk groove. Tossing a little slap and pop on top of it is just a bonus.

 

[michael_atw]

Just listen to anything before the early 70's and you'll find your answer.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Perhaps my word choices were not correct, Dmusic and Jauqo.

Why I feel the dynamics are different:

Typically your fingers have a slightly softer attack than a pick (unless you purposely play hard). Unless we're splitting hairs and getting into the material the pick is made of.

Each one of your fingers has a minuscule difference with the consistency (I play with 4 fingers and my pinky is slightly different than my index, when attacking a note, for example), a pick is more uniform with a the attack, more edgier (granted you can make a pick sound less edgier by rolling off the highs).
But also in the sense of really digging in with your fingers, you will not replicate it with a pick, digging in, it will be slightly different.

Ghost notes do have some difference between pick and finger.
But that goes back to the attack difference.

What I'm illustrating, is not to put down picking, hell I do it when needed as well, but there are subtle differences.

Just my .02

 

[chicago_mike]

Funk is attitude

Funk is Feel

Funk is down right dirty

Funk, thank god, is not a technique.

 

[G00D+~VIBES]

Funk is attitude

Funk is Feel

Funk is down right dirty

Funk, thank god, is not a technique.

Thanks Mike.

/thread

 

[RCCollins]

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

Thanks.

there's this one guy called Larry Graham...

 

[JimmyM]

Larry used nylon tapewounds for his early stuff with Sly, but he said he's used everything and it makes no difference.

Anyway, two great examples of slap bass with flats:

Brick House---Commodores
Boogie Oogie Oogie---Taste Of Honey

 

[CatfishStudios]

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

+1 ... Rocco has furious funk fingers. No thumbin it needed.

 

[DWBass]

I'm a funk player and I say no, you don't need to be able to slap to be a good funky player but it helps to know at least some basic rhythmic technique. You don't need to be a slap monster to deem yourself funky.

 

[CatfishStudios]

I was just thinking, as a Bassist or a musician, why limit yourself at all by not being fluent in as many techniques as you can?


Learn how to Slap

Learn how to Fingerstyle

Learn how to Pick

Why not?
If you have a weakness why not focus on it and turn it into a strength?

 

[bassdaddyfive]

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

Thanks.

I do. I use a Ibanez BTB with Labella Flats. Off the chain slap sound, It's good for finger and pick style funk too.

 

[CTbass613]

I used to be slap happy per my bands request and recently explained to them that well place slap lines will be much more effective and using fingerstyle through the rest of the song gives at least how i play and EQ everything more body. I like well placed slap moments in a song but if its throughout the whole things its overkill i think...about funk bassists....are we leaving out james jamerson...i know its more motown but still...his lines were tight, melodic and still got people dancing.

 

[bassdaddyfive]

Funk is a state of mind. You have to think funky to be funky. Slappen is not required but it gives you something extra. I hit it both ways. I get funky on the URB at times.

 

[Steve]

You don't need slap tech. to be a good or even great, funk player. You need it to be a well rounded funk player.

 

[bass player 48]

I say no. I'm NOT a well schooled funk guy - I just know what I like.

I like Bootsy - to me, envelope filter is funkier than slap / pop. When I attempt my funk, I go with the envelope & a little bit of overdrive grit to funk out my tone. Space bass FTW!

 

[cynical-rabbit]

In summary I like a *little* pop with my finger funk. It's like steak sauce, not good for every bite, but delicious if used in moderation./QUOTE]

That analogy made my Thanksgiving.

 

[eddievanbassman]

Finger Funkin'
I love it!!!!

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Finger funkin,pick funkin,thumping and plucking funkin,,slapping and poppin funkin and hybrid funkin.


I love it all.


And to answer the op's original question. Versatility would be the best thing for you.