"Slap is overused"

[Icculus]

It's not an effect, it's a technique. Massive difference.

Any technique on any instrument sounds obnoxious if it's used in the wrong situation. Conflating bad musicians playing badly with the general use of a particular technique is a pretty limiting viewpoint, in my opinion. And I've heard plenty of people complain about unsubtle fingerstyle.

I think people get defensive because topics like this pop up all the time, and the reasons most people give for disliking thumping/plucking are no deeper than them having heard Higher Ground played loudly in a guitar shop somewhere.

Techniques don't produce effects? News to me. Every technique (fingerstyle, picking, thumping, popping, etc) produces a different effect. The attack of a slap/pop note produces a very distinct effect that is much bolder than the vast majority of picking and fingerstyle techniques. "I've heard many people complain about unsubtle fingerstyle." I seriously doubt it applies in the same way we're discussing slap here.

The cooking analogy above was a great one.

This appears to the type of pissing contest where people deny basic logic in order to defend a side, while assuming everyone on the other side 100% hates what they're defending. You guys can have at it. Someone calling something "overused" doesn't mean they want it outlawed.

 

[bass12]

Techniques don't produce effects? News to me. Every technique (fingerstyle, picking, thumping, popping, etc) produces a different effect. The attack of a slap/pop note produces a very distinct effect that is much bolder than the vast majority of picking and fingerstyle techniques. "I've heard many people complain about unsubtle fingerstyle." I seriously doubt it applies in the same way we're discussing slap here.

Because a technique produces an effect doesn't imply that the technique itself is an "effect". Would you suggest that finger plucking is an "effect"?

 

[eukatheude]

No really, slap is an effect. I just stomp on my slap pedal and my hand starts moving that way by itself.

 

[Icculus]

Because a technique produces an effect doesn't imply that the technique itself is an "effect". Would you suggest that finger plucking is an "effect"?

Please allow me to rephrase my original statement. Slap is not just "an effect", but more correctly stated, a technique that produces a very bold effect. I used the term "slap" here to describe the sound, not the way the thumb hits the string (which is technically not a slap either, obviously). If you reread the post you quoted, it says that techniques produce effects. Next time, I'll be sure to use the term "slap sound" as not to confuse anyone.

People would rather argue semantics than discuss the actual sound we're talking about. Again, you guys can have at it.

 

[Icculus]

No really, slap is an effect. I just stomp on my slap pedal and my hand starts moving that way by itself.

Well I didn't say "effects pedal", so technically…

 

[Joe Nerve]

I love to slap. It's fun. It's what I do when I pick up a bass, unless I'm in a guitar center . I too am annoyed by the slappers there. Thing with slapping for me is I pretty much never, ever do it. And I want to. And I've been considering creating a band that'll have lots and lots (if not all) slapping going on. I have a bunch of half finished songs, that aren't finished only out of my lack of commitment which I have get a handle on. I've been working a lot lately, playing in different bands, and I get bored with my own stuff way too quickly. Just thinking out loud here... I have every intention of re-comitting.

Glad this thread has come up. Will use it for inspiration.

That being said, I'm curious what people's opinions are regarding my slap thing in the link below. Would you consider it overuse? I don't, and I won't be insulted by anyone's criticism. I'm just curious what people really think. That is, by the way, the only slap thing I've ever recorded and put out into the world. Only other slap things I ever did with a band in about 2000 gigs, and tons of recording was a 20 second thing with The Nerve, and a cover of Brick House . I need to get some slap stuff goin on. FAIK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZvzLdxlInM .

 

[bass12]

Please allow me to rephrase my original statement. Slap is not just "an effect", but more correctly stated, a technique that produces a very bold effect. I used the term "slap" here to describe the sound, not the way the thumb hits the string (which is technically not a slap either, obviously). If you reread the post you quoted, it says that techniques produce effects. Next time, I'll be sure to use the term "slap sound" as not to confuse anyone.

People would rather argue semantics than discuss the actual sound we're talking about. Again, you guys can have at it.

I don't think it's merely a matter of semantics. To suggest that slapping is an effect and that finger plucking is a technique suggests, to me at least, that plucking is somehow more legitimate than slapping - something that seems to be a common notion here on Talkbass.

 

[Icculus]

I don't think it's merely a matter of semantics. To suggest that slapping is an effect and that finger plucking is a technique suggests, to me at least, that plucking is somehow more legitimate than slapping - something that seems to be a common notion here on Talkbass.

And I never said that slap was not a technique. It was implied that I was talking about the slap sound based on my description of it, which I clarified in the post you just quoted.

 

[Herrick]

No technique that was tastefully implemented has ever been called "overused".

Agreed. Someone uploaded a video on here of a guy playing a headless bass (I think it was headless) and he was using the slap technique. I'm not even a fan of slap but I thought his playing sounded freaking beautiful.

I remember the background of the video was all black. If anyone knows who I'm talking about, please upload the video here. I'd like to see it again.

 

[bass12]

And I never said that slap was not a technique. It was implied that I was talking about the slap sound based on my description of it, which I clarified in the post you just quoted.

Cool - I was just using that position as an example of how it's not just a matter of arguing semantics (it was suggested earlier in this thread that slapping is an effect).

 

[chilliwilli]

Most non musicians like slap in my experience and will ask if you can do it. Some Talkbass members would have you believe that non musicians would really be into to your rendition of Teen Town though, so take whatever you read with a grain of salt and figure out your area's tastes for yourself

The people that sound corny/lame slapping sound just as bad playing finger style it just doesn't cut through as well.

 

[Alex J]

Techniques don't produce effects? News to me. Every technique (fingerstyle, picking, thumping, popping, etc) produces a different effect. The attack of a slap/pop note produces a very distinct effect that is much bolder than the vast majority of picking and fingerstyle techniques. "I've heard many people complain about unsubtle fingerstyle." I seriously doubt it applies in the same way we're discussing slap here.

The cooking analogy above was a great one.

This appears to the type of pissing contest where people deny basic logic in order to defend a side, while assuming everyone on the other side 100% hates what they're defending. You guys can have at it. Someone calling something "overused" doesn't mean they want it outlawed.

In the fairly limited scope of bass-specific terminology, describing something as an effect implies you are modifying the sound somewhere further down the signal chain, like with distortion or an envelope filter. Sometimes semantics do matter

But anyway, I have heard people complain about fingerstyle when it is played badly, out of time and with an unpleasant tone. Which is how some people in this thread seem to view all slapped lines, regardless of skill and taste. Saying 'most people' do this and that is a huge generalisation. And they take their sample from what they've heard people bang out at Guitar Center. It's interesting though that nobody writes off the whole of fingerstyle bass playing or describes it as 'overused' because they've heard a few people do it badly..

What basic logic is being denied by people defending slapping? As far as I see it, the argument is that it's as valid a technique as any other, and like any other technique, can be done well or can be done not so well.

 

[Stick_Player]

1) It's not an effect, it's a technique.

2) It's executed poorly as often as any other technique.

3) Wrong. Sure there's lots of slapping in E, but there's lots of picked bass in E..lots of fingerstyle in E..etc. Plus, since when is one key less valid than the others?

4) Basing your opinion on bass playing/music in general from what you've heard in Guitar Center is not going to give you the most accurate overview..of anything.

'Treasure' by Bruno Mars is another recent and massively popular track with a thumped bass line. It's played on a P bass and sounds fat as anything.

There's been so many threads like this lately I'm surprised this hasn't been locked by now, to be honest!

Should it be locked before or after YOUR post?

 

[kellyrojo]

A lot of these comments have me shaking my head. I guarantee everyone that has an issue with it probably cannot not do it to well. And it seems that slap is attributed to showing off. Hey look what I can do.
What about guys who play fast with a pick or do really fast runs fingerstyle? Is that more in some of your wheelhouses. Slap is just a technique like picking or fingerstyle. You are just focusing more on the percussive aspect of bass. If you are really good you can form a serious lock with a drummer if you know what you are doing. I also slap at GC but I guarantee you I do not suck and I will have you bobbing your head to the groove!!!

This quote is very correct. I have seen some guys who are amazing, in the pocket, and playing super tasteful while using some slap. It can really move a groove especially if a tune has any funk, soul, or R&B leanings. I quite enjoy slapping even though I can only count about 4 songs that I ever use on stage for. It doesn't fit in a lot of genres but does really well in some. I agree that a lot of the people hating on slap on here probably can't do it at all. Also, I agree that it sounds terrible out of context and when done by someone with poor rhythm. Please see Jamereo Artis before you say slap is dead.

 

[Pilgrim]

every time i hear someone complain about slapping it's because it's "overused." yet, you could make the same argument with picking or fingerstyle. why is it that fingerstyle and picking are not considered overused, despite being the most overused technique?

IMO, neither fingerstyle nor pick playing are objectionable. Slap stands out and is often downright obnoxious. THAT is why you hear objections to it.

 

[DWBass]

That being said, I'm curious what people's opinions are regarding my slap thing in the link below. Would you consider it overuse? I don't, and I won't be insulted by anyone's criticism. I'm just curious what people really think. That is, by the way, the only slap thing I've ever recorded and put out into the world. Only other slap things I ever did with a band in about 2000 gigs, and tons of recording was a 20 second thing with The Nerve, and a cover of Brick House . I need to get some slap stuff goin on. FAIK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZvzLdxlInM .

Dude.....you definitely do not suck!! You're very good! I doubt very seriously you'd be lumped into the Guitar Center slapper category! I'm just sad you're low in the mix! Bring that bass up!!

 

[Alex J]

Should it be locked before or after YOUR post?

Merely commenting on the fact that other similar topics lately have been locked almost as soon as they've been started.

 

[Mvilmany]

Slapping bass = shredding on guitar.

Unless you're Larry Graham.

I honestly think that slapping without a license should be banned, and I think the only person who'd get a license would be Mr. Graham. Jk.

 

[Hamlet7768]

I think someone needs to come up with an interesting new take on slap and give it a revival. Lots of metal guys are doing the tappin thing which is cool but slap seems stuck in the funk/fusion camp and can't get out.

Derek Blakely, the new bassist for Eumeria, does some slapping for effect when he plays. Check out his playthrough of "Tides" and the instrumental "Shiitake."

 

[FrenchBassQC]

1) It's not an effect, it's a technique.

2) It's executed poorly as often as any other technique.

3) Wrong. Sure there's lots of slapping in E, but there's lots of picked bass in E..lots of fingerstyle in E..etc. Plus, since when is one key less valid than the others?

4) Basing your opinion on bass playing/music in general from what you've heard in Guitar Center is not going to give you the most accurate overview..of anything.

'Treasure' by Bruno Mars is another recent and massively popular track with a thumped bass line. It's played on a P bass and sounds fat as anything.

There's been so many threads like this lately I'm surprised this hasn't been locked by now, to be honest!

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