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Slap/pop - Am I missing something?

#61
Update: I've fixed everything there is to fix with the bass, looked into my technique. It's far from perfect - hell, it's far from even good or passable - but it's a step in the right direction.

Keep in mind that I started as a jazz/metal bassist, so this stuff is really new to me. I say this 'cause the sample below is just plain embarrassing. I feel like a beginner all over again. But I wanted to share! Since it's still leagues above my tone from yesterday. My timing is off, my left hand is pathetic and it's just... Really bad. But I feel accomplished to have moved forward at all. So thanks y'all, finally I'm starting to learn what I thought I never could.

 
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#62
All this advice about EQ, pickup setting, etc is useless at this point. Get your hands together. You are trying to run before you can walk. Start with your thumb and thump those strings on the 1 and the 3. Use a metronome or play along with Larry Graham.
 
#63
Listening to your sample I agree with the suggestion of using the 2 together, it's not just ALL thumb and just ALL pop.
By the way the 2 styles sound fine and what I would expect.

All the knob twiddling in the world can't correct for lack of practice on any technique.
You'll get there, slowing things down helps a lot. And always be thinking about your timing.

I saw a Victor Wooten video where he shows that even wrong notes can sound right if played in good time.
The opposite is not so true, right notes with bad timing always seems worse.

I don't hear anything offensive with the EQ tone, wide open has always worked best for me.
Good luck,
Dirk
 
#66
The Big said:
Update: I've fixed everything there is to fix with the bass, looked into my technique. It's far from perfect - hell, it's far from even good or passable - but it's a step in the right direction.

Keep in mind that I started as a jazz/metal bassist, so this stuff is really new to me. I say this 'cause the sample below is just plain embarrassing. I feel like a beginner all over again. But I wanted to share! Since it's still leagues above my tone from yesterday. My timing is off, my left hand is pathetic and it's just... Really bad. But I feel accomplished to have moved forward at all. So thanks y'all, finally I'm starting to learn what I thought I never could.

Click to expand...


You may feel bad because you're comparing your journey - warts and all - to someone else's (insert YouTube video here) highlight reel.

Happens to all of us.

Esoteric statements notwithstanding, I'll pile on with the technique crowd as someone who approached slapping late in my own journey.

Slapping is as much (or more, in my opinion) a fret hand skill and lots of newcomers (myself included) overlook(ed) that part. It goes double if you already "know" how to play and have years of your own expectations collectively shaking their heads at your mistakes.

Your EQ is fine. Slow down and get comfortable thumping/popping muted notes...just match a simple rhythm on nice, clean, thumps and pops. The notes come after.

In your example, you're playing every single note as a tone instead of articulating the muted/ghost notes. Can't Stop is a great one to learn on and even approaches Stairway-levels of prohibition at some stores, but the ghost notes are what give it the distinct flavor. See also: RHCP - Dark Necessities for another good one to hone the fundamentals of articulated muting.

TL;DR - Slow down, you're doing great. EQ's fine.
 
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#67
Trunk Monkey said:
You may feel bad because you're comparing your journey - warts and all - to someone else's (insert YouTube video here) highlight reel.

Happens to all of us.

Esoteric statements notwithstanding, I'll pile on with the technique crowd as someone who approached slapping late in my own journey.

Slapping is as much (or more, in my opinion) a fret hand skill and lots of newcomers (myself included) overlook(ed) that part. It goes double if you already "know" how to play and have years of your own expectations collectively shaking their heads at your mistakes.

Your EQ is fine. Slow down and get comfortable thumping/popping muted notes...just match a simple rhythm on nice, clean, thumps and pops. The notes come after.

In your example, you're playing every single note as a tone instead of articulating the muted/ghost notes. Can't Stop is a great one to learn on and even approaches Stairway-levels of prohibition at some stores, but the ghost notes are what give it the distinct flavor. See also: RHCP - Dark Necessities for another good one to hone the fundamentals of articulated muting.

TL;DR - Slow down, you're doing great. EQ's fine.
Click to expand...

Ha, yeah. It's overplayed to bits. But I approach it as a learning song. I wouldn't dare play it for real. As for the articulation and stuff - just doing that right now between my shifts. It's really hard, but hey... So is everything that's worth it. Gonna work on Higher Ground when I have it down more.
 

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