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My slap tone sounds like crap.

naruki

naruki

May 1, 2010
504
2
London
www.youtube.com
#1
Not with open strings though but whenever I play a fretted note, it sounds muffled. I've tried varying the force of the slap. I know its not the bass since it happens with other basses too so it must be my technique.

Whenever I slap a fretted note, there is a clear "twang" but the note can't be heard properly.
 
#4
I'm having the same trouble, although not on the E-string. Whenever I slap the D (or A) string, the volume just isn't there, especially for fretted notes. I tried lowering my action, but unfortunately, it doesn't go very low on my bass.
 
#5
When you slap are you actually bouncing off the string or do you slap through the string? I had a similar issue when I first started slapping due to just bouncing off the string. I feel that slapping through the string (try aiming for the fretboard right below the string you want to slap) provides a lot more punch and definition.
 
#6
Dr Stankface said:
When you slap are you actually bouncing off the string or do you slap through the string? I had a similar issue when I first started slapping due to just bouncing off the string. I feel that slapping through the string (try aiming for the fretboard right below the string you want to slap) provides a lot more punch and definition.
Click to expand...

I actually use the string below the one I'm aiming for to catch my thumb as I slap through. So like if I was slapping the E string, my thumb would be resting on the a string by the end of the note. You might try that if you aren't already.


Also, what kind of strings are you using and when was the last time you switched them?
 
#7
I whip it with the corner of my thumb so I'm kinda bouncing off the strings. And yeah, I forgot to mention that it only happens to the A (and D and G) strings but not the E and B strings.

I'm using Slinkys, last changed on Halloween but I haven't played my bass for 2 months in between cause my left hand was in a cast. And I don't slap often anyways, cause this problem turns me off slapping D:
 
#8
The technique is challenging, so don't give up. Practice slapping quarter notes on the A,D, and G strings chromatically up and down the neck. I like to strike the string with my thumb between the last 2 frets on the finger board, this gives me something solid to bounce my thumb off. Practice slowly with a metronome, and make sure to thumb each note on the quarter note pulse, then when you feel comfortable with that, play eighth notes, then eighth note triplets, and so on. This will give you a strong foundation to build off of, and strengthen your funky slap muscles. The A,D,and G strings will be quieter at first, so you will have to alter your attack on each string accordingly. Don't stop practicing, and have fun.
 
#11
Tupac said:
Let me guess. You're just starting? For the first week I thought there was a serious problem with my bass because it sounded so weird. You'll get it.
Click to expand...

Starting to slap, yes. Been playing finger style and pick for 2 years.

MycooLeeyun said:
Where are you slapping? Make sure you're thumb is striking the string pretty close to the neck if not a little on the neck.
Click to expand...

I'm hitting pretty much on the 24th fret.


bassfart said:
The technique is challenging, so don't give up. Practice slapping quarter notes on the A,D, and G strings chromatically up and down the neck. I like to strike the string with my thumb between the last 2 frets on the finger board, this gives me something solid to bounce my thumb off. Practice slowly with a metronome, and make sure to thumb each note on the quarter note pulse, then when you feel comfortable with that, play eighth notes, then eighth note triplets, and so on. This will give you a strong foundation to build off of, and strengthen your funky slap muscles. The A,D,and G strings will be quieter at first, so you will have to alter your attack on each string accordingly. Don't stop practicing, and have fun.
Click to expand...

I think I'm gonna slap on some new strings as well, just in case. Elixirs.
 
#13
I don't slap a ton myself, but I was borderline helpless at it until a teacher squared away my positioning for better attack on the strings. When I play finger-style, the forearm of my plucking hand is roughly perpendicular to the neck and strings, but that didn't allow for decent slapping. I learned to get the body of my bass up a little higher so that I could get the forearm of my slapping hand down more parallel to the strings. That way, I could slap my thumb against the strings by rotating my wrist instead of moving my wrist or forearm to hit the strings like a bongo drum. Keep that thumb nice and loose so that your wrist rotation can swing it against the string to slap it, but also bounce up away from it and let it shake.
 

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