I've not been a slap player, but I'd like to have that in my wheelhouse. I've been working for some time on some slap licks that came from a few Federico Malamas tutorials. I could play them and my left hand had few issues but the licks have never been clean. I've watched videos of different bass players and look at the angle of Victor Wooten's right hand and contrast that with Flea's. I found it difficult to undestand how Flea could slap with the thumb pointing virtually down.
When I'd go to thumb I have had a difficult time hitting the right string without brushing or hitting or making another string ring errantly. I tried paying more attention with minor success. But my pluck was always weak. I would rotate my hand properly as described but was plucking with almost the side tip of my index finger. I was "rotating the door knob" as prescribed and often illustrated.
As I was noodling a few days ago I was wondering how Flea did it with a downward pointing thumb, so I began experimenting. I don't hang my bass low enough for that, but as I came somewhere inbetween the Wooten and Flea positiions with my thumb not down, not parallel with the strings my thump became more accurate. My muting became more active and musical and my index, rather than plucking from the side of my finger can actually hook the pluck string and pop it with various intensities.
I don't have this down yet. It will take some practice. But I never thought that my right hand would be angled to the point where my thumb and hand was at about 45° to the strings.
I just thought I'd share and perhaps get some comments, thoughts and maybe some affirmation that I'm on the right track.
When I'd go to thumb I have had a difficult time hitting the right string without brushing or hitting or making another string ring errantly. I tried paying more attention with minor success. But my pluck was always weak. I would rotate my hand properly as described but was plucking with almost the side tip of my index finger. I was "rotating the door knob" as prescribed and often illustrated.
As I was noodling a few days ago I was wondering how Flea did it with a downward pointing thumb, so I began experimenting. I don't hang my bass low enough for that, but as I came somewhere inbetween the Wooten and Flea positiions with my thumb not down, not parallel with the strings my thump became more accurate. My muting became more active and musical and my index, rather than plucking from the side of my finger can actually hook the pluck string and pop it with various intensities.
I don't have this down yet. It will take some practice. But I never thought that my right hand would be angled to the point where my thumb and hand was at about 45° to the strings.
I just thought I'd share and perhaps get some comments, thoughts and maybe some affirmation that I'm on the right track.
). I decided I'd give it one more shot, and take my time. Within a year or so I was able to do this, which I've posted before...
