This, maybe work on playing normal (non-slap) first. Learn fundamentals.
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Slapping
- Thread starter Q Bass
- Start date
Here is an old video from Alexis Sklarevski, he used to be part of the Bass Player magazine staff back in the 90's.
It is old but contains great information, I bought it and played it until oblivion.
It is old but contains great information, I bought it and played it until oblivion.
Specific advice and insight can only be given when understanding exactly what the problem is. That's why lessons with someone who can see what you are doing are so valuable. We also can't confirm if your bass needs a setup or not without seeing it; but ussually new basses do benefit from a set up, factory or shop setup is ussually not the best.
But anyway, three weeks is a very short time to learn a new instrument. Keep practicing and things will improve.
Try Mark at Talking Bass - excellent instruction, clear lessons (you'll get a long way with the free ones), and paced at the beginner level if you know where to look.
I've used his online material loads.
For slap, start here:
How To Play Slap Bass #1 - Getting Started - YouTube
I've used his online material loads.
For slap, start here:
How To Play Slap Bass #1 - Getting Started - YouTube
I've been playing bass for over 50 years. My basses are all setup correctly and I still can't slap without it sounding like 
. So, don't be too hard on yourself.
. So, don't be too hard on yourself.Your bass is a standard 5-string Fender Jazz so I don't anticipate there are any issues with your bass. I'm not sure what your statements about "get a finger under" vs "not interested in popping" mean--those two are in conflict with each other. So as someone has said, a video showing your current efforts would be very helpful so we can advise you further.
Yes. A good set up is worth it. That and maybe take some private lessons.
And keep in mind, Rome wasn’t built in a day. I’m sure you didn’t sit down at the piano on day one tearing into some piano concertos. Best wishes and stay at it.
If you are new and want to be a competent bassist, you need not focus on a technique that is employed infrequently and is unnecessary in most forms of music. Even if focusing on a genre requiring it in the future, you will need sound technical and theoretical foundations in all the essential aspects of playing first.
Thus, it's best to find a method that develops your playing in a logical step-by-step progression. If you don't have a teacher, Trufire has such an excellent 7 part series that will take you from the very beginning to advanced status. They may still have a promotion going on, along with Jamplay, as the two have joined forces.
Cheers!
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I agree to dis-agree on this. A tech that sets it up too low is gonna give him a fartty-rasppy sounding bass that requires a light touch and he'll be chasing a tone that he can't achieve, do to an immature technique. See an instructor first or use that 30 years of keyboard / networking experience and ask somebody you know, that slaps. Paying for a set-up when you don't know what is going on can be a huge waste of money. There's no rush.
IMO, this right here is spot on:
"If you are new and want to be a competent bassist, you need not focus on a technique that is employed infrequently and is unnecessary in most forms of music. Even if focusing on a genre requiring it in the future, you will need sound technical and theoretical foundations in all the essential aspects of playing first."
When I started out, I wanted to slap like Marcus Miller, Flea, Victor etc etc
It couldn't slap for crap or at least I was giving a bad attempt. Is there reason you need to slap now by any chance? If you are serious for learning bass, learn bass. Slapping to me is a tool used way later on in the playing of bassist, in fact I think it is way better to not relay or have slapping ready to learn to play and fill in nicely.
What strings are you using? Yes, you can slap with flatwounds but I found some players like myself they make slapping extra harder. Also a compressor pedal can really aid and help with slapping.
Sometimes also playing a certain song with slapping in it that is easy can allow you to hear your slapping tone much better. Listen to some know slap bassist, really listen to the sound. Most of early RHCP is super easy slap patterns following the kick and snare so you can tried to get that down I think.
It couldn't slap for crap or at least I was giving a bad attempt. Is there reason you need to slap now by any chance? If you are serious for learning bass, learn bass. Slapping to me is a tool used way later on in the playing of bassist, in fact I think it is way better to not relay or have slapping ready to learn to play and fill in nicely.
What strings are you using? Yes, you can slap with flatwounds but I found some players like myself they make slapping extra harder. Also a compressor pedal can really aid and help with slapping.
Sometimes also playing a certain song with slapping in it that is easy can allow you to hear your slapping tone much better. Listen to some know slap bassist, really listen to the sound. Most of early RHCP is super easy slap patterns following the kick and snare so you can tried to get that down I think.
After years of avoiding learning slap, I've made this year “the year of the thumb”. Im following Mark’s “Simple Steps to Slap” course. It’s not free but it isn’t very expensive (I think he still has a sale on). Very short lessons and easy to follow practice routines. Mark is very good at describing things and covering all potential pit-falls. I should complete both parts of this by end of March if I continue with daily practice. Slap can’t be learned in a week, unless you play 8 hours a day or were blessed by the Bass Gods at birth!
If you could/would film your technique and upload it here, I'm guessing folks here might be able to pinpoint what's going on. Or at least offer some pointers.
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Scott’s bass lessons has an in-depth step by step slap course. As does Mark at Talkingbass.com
I’d recomend a slap bass book called “Slap it” by Tony Oppenheim. Comes with a CD.
You are going to learn subdivisions like never before, 16th notes, triplets, all kinds of rhythms. It’ll be really good for everything you do. Get a drum machine and metronome, and use em both.
As for the bass set up, light strings and low action, with very little relief. Use a light touch and try to develop an economy of motion. You’ll just hurt yourself and get frustrated trying to bash it.
Get some headphones and use amplification. Sure you can sit on the couch and slap away without it, but you aren’t doing yourself any favors. Maybe if you are just putting the mechanics of a new pattern together, super slow, but why not just put the headphones on and. Do it right.
Get ready to spend hours and hours and hours practicing. You are basically learning to drum, and there are tons of rudiments to ingrain into muscle memory. Nobody but you wants to hear it, you’ll have to hide.
A compressor is important. All those subtle details, the ghost notes, clicks, pops, slides need to come through. A comp is like putting on glasses, everything is more in focus.
Posture and bass position is critical. If you only practice sitting down you’ll have trouble standing with the bass strapped on. You’ll notice many slap players wear the bass higher. Try to practice with bass at the same height sitting and standing which means using a strap all the time.
Dint forget to have fun. It’s super fun.
I’d recomend a slap bass book called “Slap it” by Tony Oppenheim. Comes with a CD.
You are going to learn subdivisions like never before, 16th notes, triplets, all kinds of rhythms. It’ll be really good for everything you do. Get a drum machine and metronome, and use em both.
As for the bass set up, light strings and low action, with very little relief. Use a light touch and try to develop an economy of motion. You’ll just hurt yourself and get frustrated trying to bash it.
Get some headphones and use amplification. Sure you can sit on the couch and slap away without it, but you aren’t doing yourself any favors. Maybe if you are just putting the mechanics of a new pattern together, super slow, but why not just put the headphones on and. Do it right.
Get ready to spend hours and hours and hours practicing. You are basically learning to drum, and there are tons of rudiments to ingrain into muscle memory. Nobody but you wants to hear it, you’ll have to hide.
A compressor is important. All those subtle details, the ghost notes, clicks, pops, slides need to come through. A comp is like putting on glasses, everything is more in focus.
Posture and bass position is critical. If you only practice sitting down you’ll have trouble standing with the bass strapped on. You’ll notice many slap players wear the bass higher. Try to practice with bass at the same height sitting and standing which means using a strap all the time.
Dint forget to have fun. It’s super fun.
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Not sure what you mean? You mean you don't play regular fingerstyle? Or that you find that too easy and jump right to slapping?
Just watch a lot of Davie504 videos.
YOu won't get better at slapping, but you'll have a lot of fun.
YOu won't get better at slapping, but you'll have a lot of fun.
I don't understand the issue you are describing,
other than you are unsatisfied with something while slapping
Do you mean you don't like the sound you are getting?
If so, are there examples of the sound you want?
