Slapping questions

[The Hansenator]

I've been trying to learn slapping for the past month or so. I feel like the technique is pretty comfortable but I continue to have a problem with accuracy, my thumb just misses the string. I can tell it's improved but progress is so slow it's frustrating. I assume this is normal and I just need to keep practicing? Do you have any tips?

I've also seen a couple ways to do it. I was told to play through the string so the thumb comes to rest on the next string. It also seems quite common to just bounce the thumb off the string which, when I tried, felt even less accurate.

I'm just looking for people's thoughts or if you have any tips. In some ways it's like starting over and has been more challenging than I expected.

 

[Groove Doctor]

It takes a lot of time, dedication and discipline to develop a good slap technique.

Accuracy:
- slow it down and learn to play 100 notes in a row that have the same volume and tone. Do it while watching TV or while walking around the room.

- Learn to be completely relaxed and remain relaxed at all times. This is very important foundation for later on with advanced skills and for reducing fatigue/strain.

- Gradually increase the tempo bit by bit while still keeping perfect technique & accuracy.

- Get to the stage where you can do it perfectly on autopilot and you’ll have that skill for life.


Big picture tips:

- Practise slapping scales and melodies and regular bass lines you already know how to play with other techniques (plucking/picking/etc). This is really important, it’ll add versatility to your playing and stop your slap lines all sounding the same.

- Keep it musical. Add in fun left (fingering) hand tricks as soon as you can - hammer ons, pull offs, sliding into notes, sliding between notes, rapidly muting notes, etc - to avoid getting stuck in the rut of overplayed ‘pluckety-pluck’ note patterns & licks.

- Dedicate 15-60mins each day to hone in on these fundamentals. Persistent Focussed practice brings lasting results.

Good luck. Be patient with yourself.

 

[dreamadream99]

common to just bounce the thumb off the string which, when I tried, felt even less accurate.

I have always described it as a ricochet. Similar to the motion of popping a towel on someone's backside.

 

[bass12]

I’ve been playing over thirty years and I’m still working on accuracy with my thumb strokes. Just keep at it. You might also find this method helpful: SLAP 101 (DVD incl.)

 

[The Hansenator]

Thanks for the replies everyone. It sounds like slapping is something that takes a lot of practice. That's kind of reassuring to know it's not just me and I just need to keep practicing.

 

[AxtoOx]

Just keep at it, frankly, I don't remember when it got nartual, but it happened.

 

[enricogaletta]

There is a great exercise to develop accuracy on slap, the thumb calibration.
It's probably the most important exercise each bass player start to learn slap need to do (no way is the first ex on my book).
Is made by two part:

- the first section, play quarter notes with metronome on your open strings in this order, E A D G and than G D A E, 60bpm is great to start, then after two times without stopping start play eighth note in the same order, then sixteenth, don't worry to mute the strings, is not your priority; IMPORTANT work with your wrist not the forearm, you need fluidity not power, let the low-medium action do his job , then move to 80bpm than 100, it's more than enough.

- the second exercise is made on strings skipping, same as the first but in this order: E D A G - G A D E.

When you reach a good average to hit the right strings then, stop to watch the bass and do the previous steps without looking the right hand. If you do all the steps in the right way, you will never hit wrong strings.
If you need more help just let me know.
Happy Holidays.
Enrico

 

[The Hansenator]

@enricogaletta That looks like it would be a great way to warm up. I'll try it later today.

 

[Lagado]

Play a scale using your thumb and index alternating on the same string. You have to be lined up for that. Don't play too hard, aim for a lighter style, don't take the thumb too far from the action, you have to then recover that distance. Keep it in closer.

 

[Groove Doctor]

@enricogaletta That looks like it would be a great way to warm up. I'll try it later today.

It’s is a great exercise. Great for working on even note volume when string jumping.

I turned it into a double thumbing exercise - two notes per string, slapping on the down strike then the up strike.

Im still working on linking popping notes into fast double thumbing bass lines eg. RHCP - Higher Ground. I’ve settled on Plucking/raking the high E with my middle finger.

 

[enricogaletta]

It’s is a great exercise. Great for working on even note volume when string jumping.

I turned it into a double thumbing exercise - two notes per string, slapping on the down strike then the up strike.

Im still working on linking popping notes into fast double thumbing bass lines eg. RHCP - Higher Ground. I’ve settled on Plucking/raking the high E with my middle finger.

Well done man, it's great to see how you turned it following your gut and your needs.
That's the key
Enrico