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Is slap technique required to be a good funk player?

#41
To me, there is a difference between being a "funky" bassist and being a "funk" bassist. A "funk" bassist, to my mind, will have a command of a repertoire of music from the sixties and seventies (funk) and that repertoire will include pieces involving slapped bass lines.
 
#43
groooooove said:
no, its not.

saying that slapping is required to play funk is like saying red paint is required for a car to go fast.
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It is required in funk if one wants to be well rounded.

Being well rounded guarantees more jobs.


Get called for a gig and the artist wants some slapping. Don't deliver and see what happens.
 
#46
JAUQO III-X said:
It is required in funk if one wants to be well rounded.

Being well rounded guarantees more jobs.


Get called for a gig and the artist wants some slapping. Don't deliver and see what happens.
Click to expand...

thats absolutely true. however, my example is going to be the meters- on any of those records, is george porter ever slapping? not that i know of. is it still funky? it sure is.

its still worth knowing. but people get by without it.
 
#47
JAUQO III-X said:
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.
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I'll have to respectfully agree with this statement.
 
#51
SO over the Thanksgiving break I replaced my D'Addario Chrome Flats on my Stinggray with the Marcus Miller DRs. I've been slowly working through the Slap It book, like really slow so that I can get a good solid foundation. I'm noticing an improvement already. I don't plan on being a slap monster, but if someone asks me to slap I don't want to sound like a 12 year old trying out a bass at Guitar Center.

I have to agree with those of you who said that it helps to have a basic knowledge. That's what I was thinking before, but I wanted to hear the experienced pro's opinions. Thanks.
 
#53
Anthony Jackson, Rocco Prestia, George Porter, Jr. and James Jamerson are fine examples of how you can be Funky without slapping. So are Duck Dunn, Jerry Jemmott, Tommy Cogbill, and of course John Francis Pastorius III...
That being said, it's a pretty easy technique to get control of to have a choice.
BTW, Larry Graham used flats with Sly and also early GCS. I was just listening to that stuff yesterday and it's truly funky.
 
#56
Roy Vogt said:
Anthony Jackson, Rocco Prestia, George Porter, Jr. and James Jamerson are fine examples of how you can be Funky without slapping. So are Duck Dunn, Jerry Jemmott, Tommy Cogbill, and of course John Francis Pastorius III...
That being said, it's a pretty easy technique to get control of to have a choice.
BTW, Larry Graham used flats with Sly and also early GCS. I was just listening to that stuff yesterday and it's truly funky.
Click to expand...



;) :)
 
#57
I agree that your versatility-and "gigability"-will increase if you add slap to your arsenal. However, there are some very funky lines that have no slapping at all:





A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:
 
#60
Hello to all the TBers. First time posting a comment. You guys failed to mention Abraham Laboriel, a world class bassist in any genre. He generally does not play slap bass, although he is versed in doing so. Doesn't hurt to learn it, but play to your own style and needs. Peace!
 

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