slap tech different methods!

One thing that I do is keep my thumb not to far from the area to be stricked/plucked and it allows me to execute fast and clean attacks to any string I choose.In most instances the further you have your plucking/slapping hand away from the instrument the more economy you will use to get the fast and clean tone that you are striving for and that at times can cause a slow attack return to and from the note.

here are a couple of video clips of me applying some aspects of what you are asking.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=jauqo&btnG=Search+Video

I hope this helps

p.s.

I only included the video link,because it can help get a better understanding of what I was explaining.

 

Perhaps re-set up your bass with lower action which equals less work for your right slap hand?

 

Good question. I'm definitely from the MM, Louis Johnson school where you strike the string with that bone on the joint of the thumb. I don't feel I have to pull my hand or arm far away from the bass to get a good sound. The good sound comes from where I strike the string (a little back from the fretboard and not over it), how accurate the strike is, and the natural recoil of the thumb after striking the string. I don't really pull my arm away either. Give a "thumbs-up" with your right hand to an imaginary person directly in from of you with your elbow resting on your hip. Now rotate your wrist so that your thumb goes from pointing at the ceiling (or sky) to pointing at an imaginary person standing to the left and slightly ahead of your but keep your elbow and arm relaxed and resting on your hip. That's the motion I use when slapping. I used to get more arm involved in it but I can get a better sound doing it this way and play faster and more accurately since my arm can pretty much stay in the same place resting on the bass - I just have to move it a little up or down to accomidate thumping the different strings. Also, it's useful for using the palm to mute strings.

 

Hey Jay,as you know I have some of the lowest action one can have on a Bass and I use very light gauge strings as well(my E ranges from an .85 to a .87)but low action,super low action and light gauge strings don't work for a lot of Bassist.

 

Thanks but like I said,I felt it would help you get a better understanding of what I was saying.

 

Juaqo, you are sick-nasty!!! I think i will go play bass until i realize that i can't play like that, then i'll come back on...

 

Bass Player mag had a nice article on the differences in thumb position 2 or 3 issues ago (Stefan or Paul Mc on the cover, I think). I, like Scot, am also from the "Thunder Thumbs" and MM school of slapping (maybe remedial school...but I disgress) with my thumb parallel to the strings. All of the action comes from my forearm rotating my wrist as opposed to moving it back and forth. Much faster and better sounding, IMO