Is Slapping Over? I Think It Is.

[plangentmusic]

It's funny how most of the examples people are giving are 20 year old songs!

I also think it's a little lame to assume that those who feel it's outdated are doing so because they can't do it. That's why I gave an example in the original post.

Hey, I'll reiterate. It's cool. I like it. And who knows... if there's a place for it, I'll use it. But the "isn't this so funky" approach that is the most used in music stores and youtube vids is the least used on most gigs or modern recordings. (Aside from an occasional pop or two on some novelty song).

Maybe instead of trying to save the dinosaur, it'd be wiser to dress him up so he fits in a bit better.

 

[blackbass54]

All evidence points to the fact that slapping is alive and well and will be for many years to come. It's very obvious that most people, however you cut it are not in agreement to you. But it is okay to believe that it is dead. Heck, there are people who believe in Santa Claus too, but to each his or her own.

 

[DWBass]

Hey, I'll reiterate. It's cool. I like it. And who knows... if there's a place for it, I'll use it. But the "isn't this so funky" approach that is the most used in music stores and youtube vids is the least used on most gigs or modern recordings. (Aside from an occasional pop or two on some novelty song).

Again, YOU (and others) are not hearing a LOT of music that's out there utilizing the style. It is prevalent in Gospel and Smooth Jazz and there is still a modern funk scene that, again, does not see the light of day on radio! As for old examples being posted, Mine were all modern. Did you not see the Brian Culbertson vids I posted? The music is out there. You just have to seek it out. Until then, you cannot assume a particular style of music is passe especially if it's not really your main bag!

 

[Demon_Hunter]

Apparently you have never heard/seen MarloweDK's video.

 

[dogofgod]

Slapping over? Nope. The audience seemed to enjoy it last night I think it has a purpose and when done well, well...nobody seems to complain. Plus it sounds great when your locked into your drummers groove and your both working off each other.

Seinfeld will keep slapping around for a quite a while!

 

[plangentmusic]

All evidence points to the fact that slapping is alive and well and will be for many years to come. It's very obvious that most people, however you cut it are not in agreement to you. But it is okay to believe that it is dead. Heck, there are people who believe in Santa Claus too, but to each his or her own.

Worst analogy ever.

 

[plangentmusic]

Again, YOU (and others) are not hearing a LOT of music that's out there utilizing the style. It is prevalent in Gospel and Smooth Jazz and there is still a modern funk scene that, again, does not see the light of day on radio! As for old examples being posted, Mine were all modern. Did you not see the Brian Culbertson vids I posted? The music is out there. You just have to seek it out. Until then, you cannot assume a particular style of music is passe especially if it's not really your main bag!

I did listen to the examples. I never heard Culbertson. It sounded good, but I though it was something from the 80's.

Again, I'm not trying to kill the style! And for a few seconds here and there, it'll always have a place. But as an artist and a performer, I think it's important to understand trends.

There were old sax players who didn't want to give up vibrato when that went out of style. There were guys who didn't want to use electric bass. Singers who insisted on crooning or using operatic technique. Guitarists who wouldn't give up their hollow body guitars or polytone amps. In general, they fell by the wayside. It's all a matter of staying contemporary.

The times, they are a changin'.

 

[GLEN18INCHSPICA]

I still have that No Cliche on a cassete recording I made of it.

 

[DWBass]

The times, they are a changin'.

I agree and the use of slap bass as well. But it's not going away. Again, if slap bass is not relevant in your everyday music listening/playing habits, you or anyone else are just not qualified slap bass experts and just can't make that call that slap is a dying art! You can only speak your opinion on your musical preferences.

To all, there is so much music out there. Take the time to do some research and explore before making an assumption on what is or isn't relevant! We are all bass playing brothers and I don't understand why we can't embrace all music styles no matter whether we love it or not!

 

[derridiandrift]

But in the real world of gigging, recording and session work, it's important to know what works and what's just wanking.

There are always exceptions. But it may be time to accept this special technique has seem its day -- not unlike the drum solo or the clarinet as a lead instrument.

Well, drum solos still happen on some of my gigs, as do clarinet solos. Not very often, but they happen.

There's a time and a place, brother. On most of the gigs I've been getting for the past five years, if you use your thumb too much you don't get called back. I've actually gotten a call to replace a guy on a house gig who was warned by the band leaders that slapping doesn't fit the gig. But I know that there are there are still plenty of places where it fits.

I believe that the vast majority of gigs to be had by working bass players call for someone to be more Jamerson and less Marcus, but I wouldn't suggest we're anywhere near ready to play a dirge for slap.

 

[Kwesi]

Slap fits where it fits and doesn't when it doesn't. The same can be said of pretty much anything. I could show you tons of contemporary examples where slap works perfectly in the context of the song but here's one just for arguments sake .



I do, however, agree that slapping had become pretty wanky recently. Every time I click a random bass vid on youtube it's some guy slapping. Regardless of skill, that gets annoying fast. Too many people feel the need to slap the minute they pick up a bass and just don't stop.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

It's all a matter of staying contemporary.

The times, they are a changin'.

So you think all the hip young cats are listening to surf music?

 

[DWBass]

Every time I click a random bass vid on youtube it's some guy slapping. Regardless of skill, that gets annoying fast. Too many people feel the need to slap the minute they pick up a bass and just don't stop.

Again..........Youtube!

I need some real world applications that fail, folks!

 

[Psycho]

Again..........Youtube!

I need some real world applications that fail, folks!

Not everyone here is trying to bash on slap.

Just because some people have an image that it's fast doesn't mean they hate it.

 

[Roy Vogt]

Ironically, there's a resurgence in reallly Old School tones with flats, mutes and things that were considered passé in the 80s. I never rule out anything anymore.

 

[plangentmusic]

I agree and the use of slap bass as well. But it's not going away. Again, if slap bass is not relevant in your everyday music listening/playing habits, you or anyone else are just not qualified slap bass experts and just can't make that call that slap is a dying art! You can only speak your opinion on your musical preferences.

To all, there is so much music out there. Take the time to do some research and explore before making an assumption on what is or isn't relevant! We are all bass playing brothers and I don't understand why we can't embrace all music styles no matter whether we love it or not!

I think you're missing my point. It's not a matter of what I think is relevant. I'm addressing the trend, that's all.

 

[plangentmusic]

So you think all the hip young cats are listening to surf music?

Okay, so that's a lame attempt to disparage something I've done? Sure, go ahead -- if that's all you've got.

Hey, I am fully aware that CD is a retro thing -- done in a new way with more bass. In no way am I suggesting it's the trend. People seem to dig it for what it is.

But, if it makes you feel better to knock someone else's work because they did something you didn't or can't....knock yourself out.

 

[canadian_man_44]

I couldn't be bothered wasting my time reading this whole thread. I just skipped over the last 6 pages....so, if anyone has already said this I apologize.

Slap is a technique that when used where it is supposed to be sounds great. Those people who "don't care" for slapping fit in one of two categories. They either don't play a style that needs/utilizes slap effectively....or....they just don't know how to do it so they feel like they have to put it down.

 

[plangentmusic]

I still have that No Cliche on a cassete recording I made of it.

So YOU'RE the one?! lol

 

[DWBass]

I think you're missing my point. It's not a matter of what I think is relevant. I'm addressing the trend, that's all.

And my point is........what 'trend'? Radio? Radio play does not reveal real 'trends'! Radio tries to create trends! Maybe your perception of a trend per your personal listening habits? There is no trend. I listen to what I listen to and you listen to what you listen to. I'm telling you, there is more slap bass being played than you realize! Your personal 'trend' reveals otherwise.

How about this........check out all the thousands of 'bass player' cd's. What is the % that there is at least 1 song that is slapped! I say close to 100% (not 100%) of professional bassists, in the last 10 years, slap, or have slapped a bassline or at the very least utilized some part of the technique!