Percussive Bass playing

[I Need a six...]

As promised here's a video. I'm sure this will help some, if you still are unsure about something, you can always ask, me or one of the other guys are bound to know.

 

[I Need a six...]

I think we're a bit confused here. The "typewriter" technique is tapping. I believe that's the two finger tapping he does with his plucking hand, when he's running up the fretboard. What is actually being referenced is the way he hammers the strings when he plays normally, bouncing the strings off the fretboard for a more percussive sound, which is definitely not tapping, but also not the "typewriter" technique.

It is kind of tapping. I don't know if I'd call it that but I can see why someone would

 

[tonemachine]

Here look at this real quick. Now obviously you don't want to start this fast, and this isn't focused on his right hand, that's what I'll do. But this is the idea.

I'm gonna go get me some nachos and hit the bathroom.

 

[I Need a six...]

I would say the term, "Percussive Bass Playing
(the bass playing a "percussive" rhythm, the bass sounds similar to the sounds a percussion instrument makes)
could incorporate so many various techniques and its variations; therefore, I would not insist on ANYBODY holding the one and only TRUTH about Percussive Bass playing.

P.S. Thanks for your video-tutorial but in 3 plus minutes I have not heard even a short riff showing us how you applied your "percussive" technique on the bass.

Then you really weren't paying attention, towards the end i did make a line, pretty simple one too.

 

[bolophonic]

I'm sure the OP was praying for two people to come along and argue about what technically does or does not fall into the category of "tapping." Way to go, guys!

 

[Big Hoss]

Not sure exactly what you're looking for but i thought this was pretty cool when I posted it the other day.

For what its worth, I couldn't stop watching that... LOVE the technique, and the sound was just spot on....

 

[DavC]

you can ' tap ' with either hand anywhere on the neck ... ( Chapman Stick ) ... just striking the string down onto the fretboard to make the note ...

Wooten's up/down thumb is nearly impossible for me ... similar to his double fingered pluck on the way up ...

for what it's worth ... if your timing isn't very very good during these techniques ... a decent drummer might wanna kill you !!
or you could switch to real Percussion types of instruments ..?!?

check out some Tony Levin stuff ... I've always liked his use of percussive bass stuff ... strapping stuff to his fingers .. ! more like a piano ... which is a percussion instrument when I play it ... I hit the key , the hammer hits the string ... !

I would bother getting stuck in the semantics , or words of who calls what what ... just find examples of stuff you like and try your best to emulate the technique or sound .. !

if you wanna learn more Wootenishness ... read his books also ...

 

[I Need a six...]

Probably, I've paid too much attention.
You see,
I can play with a pick and produce a "Percussive" bass-line or
I can strike strings with my right hand (all fingers - slap that ...) and produce a percussive bass-line, or
I can play with just my right thumb and produce a percussive bass-line, or
I can play with my right thumb/right hand palm and produce a percussive bass-line, or
currently I'm trying some "percussive bass playing" by using my right hand Index and Middle fingers' knuckle joints (the closest to the nails/between the distal and intermediate phalanges).

What I'm trying to get across is this:
There are SO MANY various techniques and its variations to produce a percussive bass-line.
The term "Percussive" bass playing is WAY too vague, and NOBODY can assume ANY "this is the right technique" CREDIT for it.

Good luck with your bass practice.

I agree with all of that, there's a hundred ways to do it, and not just one is best.

 

[I Need a six...]

I'm sure the OP was praying for two people to come along and argue about what technically does or does not fall into the category of "tapping." Way to go, guys!

Not really an argument at all. On this site a real argument can get feirce

 

[friendlybass]

My recipe? Thick rubber picker and palm muting for the bottomy thump stuff.
For the rhythmic clicky things the answer is left hand muting, you use your left hand to mute the strings (usually just by resting it above the note you were playing/are about to play) and playing with your right hand normally. Watch some of bobby Vega's videos and you'll see what I mean. Its really simple nothing to master really.

 

[Obese Chess]

This is the best example of the "typewriter" technique (as I understand it) that I can find. Just watch his right hand.

 

[DOOGLER]

As promised here's a video. I'm sure this will help some, if you still are unsure about something, you can always ask, me or one of the other guys are bound to know.

that makes a lot more sense, thank you. i use tapewound strings on an acoustic bass though.l will it still work? what about with piccolo strings?

 

[I Need a six...]

that makes a lot more sense, thank you. i use tapewound strings on an acoustic bass though.l will it still work? what about with piccolo strings?

Piccolo strings will work. Not sure about tapewounds but maybe.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I think we're a bit confused here. The "typewriter" technique is tapping. I believe that's the two finger tapping he does with his plucking hand, when he's running up the fretboard. What is actually being referenced is the way he hammers the strings when he plays normally, bouncing the strings off the fretboard for a more percussive sound, which is definitely not tapping, but also not the "typewriter" technique.

ohhhhhhhh I see now

 

[Chrisk-K]

Watch how Steve Harris plays. His signature tone is Roto flats hitting the frets.