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The Slap Bass Welcome Center

#281
schmittzil said:
Everytime I play though my calluses just rip off though
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Not to be critical, but statements like this make me wonder what folks are doing?? Even when I first started slap/pop I never suffered the way some people seem to, and no, my thumb and index were/are nothing special callous-wise. Methinks folks re exerting way too much force, which also hinders speed btw.

Pain is conditioning the fretting fingertips for steel string acoustic guitar - THAT's hard!
 
#282
Just whipped out my Mel Bay's Slappin! book from high school and good god have I gotten sloppy. My left thumb is killing me and my right hand has forgotten what this was supposed to feel like. I'm looking to dedicate about 20 minutes a day to slapping and gradually working my way back up as A. my hands get more accustomed to the technique again and B. I get more free time.
 
#285
Hi everybody,

I read some diskussions about slapping like the Korn bassist. Mostly there are some vague tips like slap with the thumb and the pinky. Regretfully I yould not find a video lesson. OK tehre are many lessons about funky slap style but not about this specific way as teh korn bassist Fieldy does.

Anybody got a video lesson ?
 
#286
I'm relatively new to bass and have decided that slap bass is the direction I want to go in. Are there any instructional books that are recommended? I've only been playing bass for a few months, but I have played viola and cello for many years and I have played some guitar, so I'd like to avoid anything that goes too much into basics of music, and instead focus more on the technique that is unique to slap bass.
 
#289
I was VERY lucky in that I had a chance to take lessons from Bunny Brunel in the 80's in LA (it was in Van Nuys CA @ his home) and he was slapping but I don't remember him calling it that. It was one of the "right hand techniques" that he went over. This was when the "Tap Bass" was popular "The Stick". A lot of guys were trying to tap out everything they could.
I remember that he used to have his students run different scales in differing right hand styles and the big thing was to get clear notes. Many of the exercises lent themselves to slapping. I STILL have the material he gave me and a bunch of stuff he wrote out. I've had a lot of music teachers in my time and I miss him a great deal.

He did say that playing without a metronome was a no-no. I always practice with one if at all possible. I clearly see how a beginner would have a damn hard time especially slapping without one. There's a great many good books out there but I would certainly get a metronome if you don't have one. The best instruction in the world would help without a "lay down" & following tabs is fine but at least learn to read tempo & basic elements of what a drummer sees. Here is a free one (completely): http://www.guitar-academy.com
 
#291
Sorry if I'm cutting anyone off here. When I'm recording slapbass it ALWAYS redlines. I started with a cheap ibanez, but I've recently boughten a musicman stingray and it's still happening. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
#296
JAUQO III-X said:
The strings are suppose to make contact with the fb,can you be more specific?
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AHHHHH. At last I see confirmation of the sound I am getting. So if the slapped strings are supposed to touch the frets does this mean you need a bit of volume to sorta hide that sound while the "String" sound rings louder? I can get around the FB but it sounds as if someone is useing a staple gun behind the sound of my notes. Of course I should add that I am pretty rubbish in the first place. Pete from Ireland.
 
#297
Peter S said:
AHHHHH. At last I see confirmation of the sound I am getting. So if the slapped strings are supposed to touch the frets does this mean you need a bit of volume to sorta hide that sound while the "String" sound rings louder? I can get around the FB but it sounds as if someone is useing a staple gun behind the sound of my notes. Of course I should add that I am pretty rubbish in the first place. Pete from Ireland.
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DO you have a video clip of you slapping?
 
#298
JAUQO III-X said:
DO you have a video clip of you slapping?
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Sorry no. My main problem is with the E string (4 string only) which I suppose makes sense. It is bad enough listening to me without having to watch it but I certainly don't have that effortless natural sort of movement so evident in your Vids. I use 3 fingers to pluck quite quickly but to slap I really find difficult. I must have watched hundreds of slap videos explaining the technique and part of the thumb to use. Is it like balance on a bicycle when by practice it just clicks? Do you suddenly find the right force to slap and the right place on the thumb for you? Pete. PS. Many thanks for your reply
 
#299
I keep seeing reference to "slapping" with the left hand for playing paradiddles on bass, without any explanation. My interpretation of that is to open my left hand up then slam four fingers onto the fretboard, and it does sound cool rhythmically, but is that the way a funk player would usually "slap" with their left?
 

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