I spend about 30 minutes with Slap it! Every day. Although I've been stuck with the exercises on page 15 for what feels like FOREVER.
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Slap It!
- Thread starter corrosivemind19
- Start date
Hey Tony!
Thanks for THE slap school!
I studied it back in the 80's. Yes, with the small tear out plastic records. Still have them floating around somewhere, but the book I've lost many years ago to some student, and I have no idea which one.....oh well....
Anyway, just a comment on the TAB thing. Great idea by the way to use the blue tape if you want to use the standard notation.
I am a firm believer that TAB will never help you. It's a crouch that never comes up in a real music situation.
I've never seen TAB on a gig ever, and I'm pretty sure I never will.
Standard notation can convey absolutely everything TAB can (which isn't much really)
You mention making it easier to convey which string to finger notes on. Please correct me if I'm wrong since I don't have the original book anymore, but I seam to remember that you wrote the string name under the music in places where there could be any doubt?
If not, this is definately a common practise in classical doube bass methods and even orchestral scores when a composer wants a specific timbre to a certain note.
So, TAB in my view has absolutely nothing going for it, apart from being a nice way for beginners to get some patterns to play while learning to read written music.
So, fingering on top, string (when in doubt) under the music.
Anyway, sorry bout that rant.
Thanks again for teaching me how to play slap bass, and how to play a proper groove way back then!
All the best,
Frode Berg
(anti-TAB)
Thanks for THE slap school!
I studied it back in the 80's. Yes, with the small tear out plastic records. Still have them floating around somewhere, but the book I've lost many years ago to some student, and I have no idea which one.....oh well....
Anyway, just a comment on the TAB thing. Great idea by the way to use the blue tape if you want to use the standard notation.
I am a firm believer that TAB will never help you. It's a crouch that never comes up in a real music situation.
I've never seen TAB on a gig ever, and I'm pretty sure I never will.
Standard notation can convey absolutely everything TAB can (which isn't much really)
You mention making it easier to convey which string to finger notes on. Please correct me if I'm wrong since I don't have the original book anymore, but I seam to remember that you wrote the string name under the music in places where there could be any doubt?
If not, this is definately a common practise in classical doube bass methods and even orchestral scores when a composer wants a specific timbre to a certain note.
So, TAB in my view has absolutely nothing going for it, apart from being a nice way for beginners to get some patterns to play while learning to read written music.
So, fingering on top, string (when in doubt) under the music.
Anyway, sorry bout that rant.
Thanks again for teaching me how to play slap bass, and how to play a proper groove way back then!
All the best,
Frode Berg
(anti-TAB)
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
MichaelScott said:
Michael,
Page 15 in the new edition are the first Octave exercises. Getting those to flow evenly can be pretty challenging, and is very important to developing good technique. The only solution I know there is to slow down and not practice anything on the page faster than you can play the most difficult passage. Once you get it at whatever tempo you have to slow down to, you'll be able to move the tempo up gradually.
This technique of practicing will work for most everything in the book.
It's just a matter of slowing the material down to the point where you have time to get it right, so that you're not practicing mistakes.
Also, practicing the "easy" portion of the page at what will seem like a really slow tempo gives your brain time to really "get" the movements required to play the technique. Once you've internalized it in this way it becomes much easier to play the more difficult passages with correct technique.
Page 15 in the original editions has a lot of information packed into a single page. In the new edition that same music starts on page 25 and goes part way down page 26 (ex. 53 - 62).
If we're talking about those pages, which examples are giving you trouble?
Keep practicing!
Tony
I really liked the Slap it book, though Im still waiting for someone to do a DVD version. The hardest thing about slap to me is getting the right motion happening with your "picking" hand... cause it always sounds... but in certain ways, it sounds better... louder, clearer.
Still, good book to develop your skills that little bit further, and learn some new licks.
Still, good book to develop your skills that little bit further, and learn some new licks.
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
Frode,
I'm glad you enjoyed Slap It! It's always nice to hear someone has found it useful.
About TAB....
I certainly shared the same opinion as you for many years, and I agree I was never handed a bass part with TAB in all the years I worked as a professional bass player.
On the other hand I was also never handed a bass part with my Slap Notation on it either. Most of the time I was just provided with a chord chart. Occasionally, like when I played in a Broadway or Off-Broadway show that had a slap part, the bass line would be written out (at least an example of a few bars of what the arranger wanted if not the whole chart), but then that would just usually be standard notation of a finger style bass line, which then had to be interpreted in slap style. That's about it.
I guess what I'm saying is that both of these things (my slap notation, and the TAB in the new edition) are teaching aids. They both have their value in a teaching situation, especially one where the teacher may not be present in the room.
There's no question I was against putting TAB in Slap It! for a long time, and that it was a business decision that ultimately forced my hand, but even with all that I've come to realize that the extra info provided by having the TAB there is a good thing for many students and teachers.
Even if the only thing accomplished by the TAB being there was that the book reached a wider audience, that would be a good thing, but I really believe that the TAB adds much more than that.
About Slap It! including any string "hinting" in prior editions, there was nothing along the lines of what you've mentioned, but my Slap notation has always had one very "tabbish" aspect to it (even without TAB present).
I came up with the idea of showing any dead notes on the pitch of the string that they are played on. Prior to this, I think I had only seen dead notes in finger style music, usually written on the pitch of the note that the player was meant to be "ghosting". This usually would have been the pitched note immediately before or after the ghost note.
Keep in mind, when I wrote Slap It! there was no Slap notation out there (at least not that I knew of). There were no other Slap books published yet, and no world wide web to go to to look it up (lol!). I had to come up with a way to represent what I was playing, so I could write it down. Mostly so I wouldn't forget how to play bass lines I was making up at the time. It had nothing to do with writing a book when I started it, it was just something for my own use.
At that time I had no idea TAB even existed. I had only studied standard notation, and I don't know if there were even any bass books out back then with TAB (we're talking early to mid 70's here). The only bass books I had back then were classical method books, various jazz books (like Ray Brown's book), and Carol Kaye's Electric Bass Lines books (I think I had 3 or 4 of her books). In fact, I think Carol's books might have been the only books specifically targeted at Electric Bass that I had back then.
Anyway... though you and I may not "need" TAB, I know that there is information I was able to convey in the TAB edition that was not present in the earlier edition of the book. Having the TAB there is just another level of precision. Of course all the same notes were there in the original book, but without the TAB there were certain things that the student had to guess about. The TAB takes some of the guess work out of studying the book.
Maybe someday in the ebook edition of Slap It! the student will be able to turn the TAB on and off with a single click.
Cheers!
Tony
I'm glad you enjoyed Slap It! It's always nice to hear someone has found it useful.
About TAB....
I certainly shared the same opinion as you for many years, and I agree I was never handed a bass part with TAB in all the years I worked as a professional bass player.
On the other hand I was also never handed a bass part with my Slap Notation on it either. Most of the time I was just provided with a chord chart. Occasionally, like when I played in a Broadway or Off-Broadway show that had a slap part, the bass line would be written out (at least an example of a few bars of what the arranger wanted if not the whole chart), but then that would just usually be standard notation of a finger style bass line, which then had to be interpreted in slap style. That's about it.
I guess what I'm saying is that both of these things (my slap notation, and the TAB in the new edition) are teaching aids. They both have their value in a teaching situation, especially one where the teacher may not be present in the room.
There's no question I was against putting TAB in Slap It! for a long time, and that it was a business decision that ultimately forced my hand, but even with all that I've come to realize that the extra info provided by having the TAB there is a good thing for many students and teachers.
Even if the only thing accomplished by the TAB being there was that the book reached a wider audience, that would be a good thing, but I really believe that the TAB adds much more than that.
About Slap It! including any string "hinting" in prior editions, there was nothing along the lines of what you've mentioned, but my Slap notation has always had one very "tabbish" aspect to it (even without TAB present).
I came up with the idea of showing any dead notes on the pitch of the string that they are played on. Prior to this, I think I had only seen dead notes in finger style music, usually written on the pitch of the note that the player was meant to be "ghosting". This usually would have been the pitched note immediately before or after the ghost note.
Keep in mind, when I wrote Slap It! there was no Slap notation out there (at least not that I knew of). There were no other Slap books published yet, and no world wide web to go to to look it up (lol!). I had to come up with a way to represent what I was playing, so I could write it down. Mostly so I wouldn't forget how to play bass lines I was making up at the time. It had nothing to do with writing a book when I started it, it was just something for my own use.
At that time I had no idea TAB even existed. I had only studied standard notation, and I don't know if there were even any bass books out back then with TAB (we're talking early to mid 70's here). The only bass books I had back then were classical method books, various jazz books (like Ray Brown's book), and Carol Kaye's Electric Bass Lines books (I think I had 3 or 4 of her books). In fact, I think Carol's books might have been the only books specifically targeted at Electric Bass that I had back then.
Anyway... though you and I may not "need" TAB, I know that there is information I was able to convey in the TAB edition that was not present in the earlier edition of the book. Having the TAB there is just another level of precision. Of course all the same notes were there in the original book, but without the TAB there were certain things that the student had to guess about. The TAB takes some of the guess work out of studying the book.
Maybe someday in the ebook edition of Slap It! the student will be able to turn the TAB on and off with a single click.
Cheers!
Tony
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
morf said:
morf,
Yes, I've shipped many books to France, so it's no problem, and I can take paypal. To do this just go to my site and place an order on the secure page, in the credit card fields just type "paypal" (instead of credit info) and I'll send you the info to make a paypal payment.
Someday maybe I'll get around to creating an actual paypal payment page. That web site pre-dates paypal (lol!).
You might get the book faster from the French music book site www.oscarmusic.com.
They have the book listed under English bass method books. Here's a link to Slap It! on their site:
Invalid Link Removed
I hope this helps!
Tony
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
Aussiephoenix said:
Aussiephoenix,
Keep an eye on my Slap It! Online site. I hope to start including video there soon.
Thanks!
Tony
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
Hi - I am still working through Slap It! (it is a great book) and I feel the Tab is an excellent addition as it shows clearly where the authour intended the note to be played..
I did follow Tony Oppenheim's suggestion to use just the index finger for the popping but ended up getting some pain in the finger joint.
After a chat with Morf a few weeks ago I have been using my second finger to pop as well as the first, which is a lot less stressful on my right hand. So thanks for the help Morf.
Tony Oppenheim - if you have any thoughts on using the second finger to pop I would be grateful to hear them. It seems to be working for me and now the pain is starting to go away. I think what I am doing suits the large size and shape of my hand but I would welcome your opinion.
I did follow Tony Oppenheim's suggestion to use just the index finger for the popping but ended up getting some pain in the finger joint.
After a chat with Morf a few weeks ago I have been using my second finger to pop as well as the first, which is a lot less stressful on my right hand. So thanks for the help Morf.
Tony Oppenheim - if you have any thoughts on using the second finger to pop I would be grateful to hear them. It seems to be working for me and now the pain is starting to go away. I think what I am doing suits the large size and shape of my hand but I would welcome your opinion.
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
Elemetal said:
Elemetal,
I have two different products with almost the same name....
I wonder which genius came up with that idea?! Ooops it was me! Lol!
Maybe I should have a contest to rename the site... Oh well.
Anyway, to clarify things....
Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass is my book which costs $19.95 plus shipping and handling. It's a physical product that I will ship to you.
It's also available from most online retailers that sell bass books.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed], Amazon.com, BassPlace.com, Sheetmusicplus, etc. etc...
Slap It! Online is my subscription site which contains all new material. It is an online only product. It only exists on my web site. There is an annual subscription of $19.95 in order to have access to the site. I'm always adding new material to the site, so it's like a new book, a sequel to Slap It!, that keeps growing.
You may purchase subscriptions to Slap It! Online either directly from my site, or from BassBooks.com. Which is cool because if you're in the market for more than one item, BassBooks.com allows you to combine your Slap It! Online purchase with other items and receive a discount.
Here's a [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] to Slap It! Online on BassBooks.com.
Thanks!
Tony
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
thefruitfarmer said:
Fruitfarmer,
I'm not sure that the finger choice is dictated by hand size... since I've seen players with much larger hands, and players with smaller hands, than mine playing with the first finger.
There is nothing wrong with developing your second finger technique as well. So please don't think that I'm suggesting what you're doing is wrong in any way, but being able to use both fingers opens up lots of posibilities.
What I cover in Slap It! is only a stepping off point. There are many wonderful techniques that should be added to your arsenal.
Also, while I personally do pop most of the time with my first finger, I also use the second finger. Most of the time if I'm using my second finger it's because I'm popping a double-stop or chord and I'll use my first finger on the D string and second finger on the G string.
I also use the first and second finger to do some quick repeated pops that can be part of a triplet pattern that would be difficult to do by popping with any one finger.
Going back to what Slap It! says about this....
The key thing about learning the technique is mentioned in the next paragraph in the book after I suggest using the first finger to pop...
I go on to say that "When practicing these exercises let your wrist do the work involved with popping the string, not your finger."
If your finger is aching it is likely that you're making your finger do too much of the work directly, or you may be practicing this one technique too much, too soon.
Certainly getting blisters and a little joint pain may be par for the course when learning a new technique, but you should take care not to over stress your fingers and hands when learning something new. Practice new techniques in moderation. Give your hand a chance to adapt.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Tony
Mr. Oppenheim,
Fantastic to see you out here. I got my one and only copy of "Slap It!" back in the early '80s when I lived in NYC, and mine not only had no cassette or soundsheet, but it didn't have any of the fingering notation either! It took me a while to get fully into it over the years, but eventually as slap became more of a necessity, I decided to buckle down and "learn" the whole book, and I did.
I haven't been to your web site yet, but I'd like to inquire as to whether the sound sample CD can be obtained separately, so I can go back and see if I'm playing the exercises correctly (!).
Regardless of how I approached the early edition of your book, it made a tremendous impact on my introduction to play that style, and helped with standard notation as well. Like others, I go through the exercises again periodically to test myself and brush up on certain aspects of the technique. What a classic basic study book! Thanks a bunch for that!
Regarding Guitar Center, I agree with you 100%. Every one of their stores I've been to from coast-to-coast plays their "background" music annoyingly loud. That, in combination with the scene there on Saturdays (unceasing wankery), makes it a good place to stay away from on the weekends (but I think they sell your book, so...).
Again, thanks for your dedication and talents, and I'll be checking out the site soon!
Fantastic to see you out here. I got my one and only copy of "Slap It!" back in the early '80s when I lived in NYC, and mine not only had no cassette or soundsheet, but it didn't have any of the fingering notation either! It took me a while to get fully into it over the years, but eventually as slap became more of a necessity, I decided to buckle down and "learn" the whole book, and I did.
I haven't been to your web site yet, but I'd like to inquire as to whether the sound sample CD can be obtained separately, so I can go back and see if I'm playing the exercises correctly (!).
Regardless of how I approached the early edition of your book, it made a tremendous impact on my introduction to play that style, and helped with standard notation as well. Like others, I go through the exercises again periodically to test myself and brush up on certain aspects of the technique. What a classic basic study book! Thanks a bunch for that!
Regarding Guitar Center, I agree with you 100%. Every one of their stores I've been to from coast-to-coast plays their "background" music annoyingly loud. That, in combination with the scene there on Saturdays (unceasing wankery), makes it a good place to stay away from on the weekends (but I think they sell your book, so...).
Again, thanks for your dedication and talents, and I'll be checking out the site soon!
One more question! So if i order it online will I be able to download the songs and/or the music online because on your demo ordeal it is really slow for me to use PDF. So I was wondering would I be able to download the songs and/or music if I order it online because it seems like a good deal?
- Nov 17, 2005
- 101
- 0
- 67
- Disclosures
- Author, Slap It! Funk Studies for the Electric Bass
whacker said:
Whacker,
Sounds like you've got the "Pre-CBS" edition of Slap It!. Lol!
My publisher does sell the CDs seperately so that all the folks who bought the book before there was a CD can get one. The CD alone is $9.95 plus shipping and handling.
If you write to [email protected] and ask about the Slap It! CD they can give you the details. You may also be able to find it on their web site (www.presser.com), but it's a little buried, and their shopping cart doesn't work with all web browsers, so writing an email will probably be easier.
About GC... I could never purchase an instrument in that store. It was impossible to hear even to tune up. There was no way you could hear the tone of an instrument. I strolled into the pro-audio and recording area thinking I'd escape the noise, but it was so loud back there that I couldn't have a conversation with the guy behind the counter.
GC sells my book on their web site, but as far as I've been able to find out, not in their stores. It's ironic, because I'm pretty sure my publisher had them in mind when they decided to do the TAB edition of Slap It!
I did look at the Bass books in the GC store I visited, they had a very limited selection, only 2 rack columns out of their whole music book department.
Anyway.. thanks for all your comments about the book. Let me know what you think of Slap It! Online.
Cheers!
Tony
