Slapping on a 5-string?

[BuffaloBass]

That's technique. I learned to keep my knuckles parralel to the fretboard. If you've ever heard anyone say "my hands/fingers were too small for the 5'er", it was a matter of not keeping the plane of their hand parrallel. Not having huge hands, but when my knuckles are parallel to the fretboard, my fingers extend well beyond the low b. Guess I could play a 6 or 7 string comfortably. Hand position is key to the muting you need on a 5.

Anyway, having fingers 1 or 2 draped across the entire width of the fretboard is key on a slappin' 5'er. And that requires parallel knuckles. (Anthony Wellington) Other than that I dont notice much difference between 4 and 5. Dont much slap the low B though, a fretted thump once in a while.

 

[thumbin]

If you think its hard on a 5 string try a 9 string bass

 

[whitehawk55]

I quit playing my 5 because that B string got in my way no matter what I was playing. I got to where I didn't hit it accidentally while slapping but it was always bothersome to me. Now I only use it when the music demands it.

i always rest my thumb on the b string (which isn't often cause normally i don't rest my thumb and keep it in the air) and when i need to play the b string i rest my thumb on the pickup for the however long i'm playing on that string

 

[Shafty]

I couldn't resist on a 12-year old thread.

All kidding aside, I had been wondering the same questions about slapping on a 5-string, so I appreciate your work in researching the forum history.

 

[electracoyote]

I think we all have to tighten up our accuracy when we first go to an extended range bass. I did anyway.

Back to Square One: Slowly slap out some scales, melodies, favorite lines, etc., on all strings until it starts to get cleaner. Don't go any faster than you can maintain clean notes. Study your technique in slow-motion and try to determine where the ambience and dissonance are coming from and how to avoid it.

The only way to get faster and cleaner later is to play slower and cleaner now. Don't put a time limit on it, be patient.

 

[Les Fret]

The key when slapping on a 5 or 6 string is muting. Both left and right hand muting.

 

[enricogaletta]

String spacing is always an important feature on five/six strings basses because most of them don't have the standard four-string 19mm spacing. Nowadays is pretty common find many multi-string basses with 17mm spacing, some models even 16.5, 18mm also becomes popular and it's not too bad.
I mean I know several players that can slap well on tight spacing but it will be very very challenging for articulates lines.
If you already know what do you wanna play then look for standard 19mm models or at least 18mm
Ciao!

 

[Les Fret]

String spacing is always an important feature on five/six strings basses because most of them don't have the standard four-string 19mm spacing. Nowadays is pretty common find many multi-string basses with 17mm spacing, some models even 16.5, 18mm also becomes popular and it's not too bad.
I mean I know several players that can slap well on tight spacing but it will be very very challenging for articulates lines.
If you already know what do you wanna play then look for standard 19mm models or at least 18mm
Ciao!

I don't have any problems slapping on my 14mm spacing 6 string bass. Wide string spacing can make slapping a bit easier but it is certainly not necessary.

 

[booker64]

Hilarious

 

[TOOL460002]

It's all chicken vs egg when it comes to learning new things. Good because you like it or you like it and master the thing? I sucked so bad I only touched a 5er once, but I know more time would leave me playing better. Net happiness is my metric of choice. For me, right now, slapping on a 5er is a happiness deficit. Things change though.

 

[ruju]

At first I had a bit of the same problem but once I really focused on the striking hand. Like actually look at your thumb hitting the strings, it became much easier and cleaner sounding.
You'll get there. Just continue practicing going up and down the strings, alternate strings.

 

[Wretched Banana]

Now that this thread has once again been resurrected...

My first bass was a 5 string and so I learned to accurately slap on that. Muting wasn't an issue either -- been playing guitar for 20 years so I knew how to audit myself and adjust my technique quickly.

But I still have a different problem to this day. Left hand muting that B is killing my hand. Intense pain in my palm extending to the middle of my wrist & forearm, which is exactly where you don't want any pain unless you're shooting for CTS. I just don't have enough length to my fingers to cover the neck comfortably. Thumb muting is out of the question because 1) then I don't have enough finger left below to fret anything but the G string 2) I'm against doing anything with my thumb on principle alone. I bought my first 4 string only last month and it's like day and night. No more slapping on the 5-string for me.

 

[MrLenny1]

Why not?
Takes a while if your not use to a 5'er.

 

[booker64]

Now that this thread has once again been resurrected...

My point was google is returning in the face the "it's impossible to slap on 5 strings" to anyone searching for this. And it comes from this great forum.

This is not right ;-D (ie. this thread, or at least the post ) should be removed and burned in fire )

 

[Wretched Banana]

My point was google is returning in the face the "it's impossible to slap on 5 strings" to anyone searching for this. And it comes from this great forum.

This is not right ;-D (ie. this thread, or at least the post ) should be removed and burned in fire )

It's too late. This thread will keep coming back to life. We've created a monster.

 

[Cut the middle]

Keep at it. You'll naturally compensate by muting with both hands.

 

[Julian G]

String spacing I find tighter on a five string so it's not just the slap but also the pop you need to be more accurate with. I find the 4 string easier to slap and there's nothing I've learnt to play that asks me to slap a low B string..... well not yet.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It can be done.
It just take much more restraint and discipline.
There are those who can even slap on a six and a seven stringer.

 

[booker64]

It's too late. This thread will keep coming back to life. We've created a monster.

The thread is really ok. It's the hilarious answer cutting through to the top result in google search. Moderators could just hide it, and it should also disappear from google. If you imagine people googling for a new instrument to learn and finding totally wrong answer from the bass community at the top of their browser. ;-)

 

[Lagado]

anyone find it hard to slap with a 5-string? the B string always gets in the way and makes any slap bass riff i try to play really muddy..

If you're not using the B string, do it on a 4. Pick the right tool for the job.