To slap or not to slap/why I hate it

[SexFuneral]

No. Never. Ever.

Mostly because Flea makes my skin crawl, along with hating the way it sounds (except when executed by Les Claypool, who is a GOD).

In general though, if its your bag then hey whatever works. Ill keep quietly to my picks and fingertips.

 

[Billy Low]

Adam contacted me a while ago and mentioned it to me and I may get out there if my time permits.

I have to say that Billy Low did indeed take me up on my offer and we have been getting together and not just concentrating on various slap techniques but more importantly the importance of groove(which I feel is far more valuable than any slap technique),I've even invited him to a couple of rehearsals where he has come in and quietly observed not just the various techniques that I apply but how it all fit's in an actual band setting.

I'm sure he can best explain what he may be getting out of the things we've worked on so far.

I want to publicly thank Jauqo for being the standup guy that he is. He has given me an opportunity that many have not or may not have.

Yes, in the few short times that we have gotten together, I see tremendous growth in my playing. I am learning more about the "feel" and textures involved in groovin'. Quite honestly, in learning the slap technique I've learned other funk essentials that really carry over to other styles of playing other than slapping. If you have never seen Jauqo play live, I highly suggest that you do whatever it takes to correct that!

Once again, I thank Jauqo for all that he's shared with me over the past couple of weeks, I will never forget it!

 

[paul davis]

i would leave this alone, because what i am going to say has been said....but i cannot resist

i view slapping as an effect, just like a chorus, flanger, wah, or whatever
use it sometimes when it is appropriate, which may be more, less, constantly or never depending on what you are playing

 

[BassJunkie730]

I only slap when I think it's going to create a more percussive link between the drummer and I

I think of slap in terms of

Slap = kick drum

Pop = snare drum

 

[Grueber]

I only slap when I think it's going to create a more percussive link between the drummer and I

I think of slap in terms of

Slap = kick drum

Pop = snare drum

you think like Larry Graham

 

[Bassman7PM]

I want to publicly thank Jauqo for being the standup guy that he is. He has given me an opportunity that many have not or may not have.

Yes, in the few short times that we have gotten together, I see tremendous growth in my playing. I am learning more about the "feel" and textures involved in groovin'. Quite honestly, in learning the slap technique I've learned other funk essentials that really carry over to other styles of playing other than slapping. If you have never seen Jauqo play live, I highly suggest that you do whatever it takes to correct that!

Once again, I thank Jauqo for all that he's shared with me over the past couple of weeks, I will never forget it!

Remember the movie "Pay It Forward"? Now it's time to share the wealth. PM Sent

 

[Billy Low]

Remember the movie "Pay It Forward"? Now it's time to share the wealth. PM Sent

I intend on doing just that, once I master the skills that he has placed within my hands! I care not to share prior to that only because it will not be indicative of the sheer greatness of what is being taught!

By no means am I gonna come out saying "look at what I've learned from Jauqo" and proceed to deliver three minutes of pure garbage! But I tell you what, when I get it together...I STILL WON'T BE ABLE TO HOLD A CANDLE NEXT TO THIS CAT!

 

[RBrownBass]

Slapping makes you look stupid. Thumping doesn't, and yes there is a difference.

Slap 'n' pop = bad (just listen to it, sounds so ghetto)
thump and pluck = good (and better if you can do it like Wooten)

AmazingGracePlayer... does the God you worship support the sort of racist trolling you just did?

 

[modbass]

I dont like it mainly because it intimidates me. Im not good at it...and I use flats on all my basses so it doesnt sound good...so I shy away from it.

If I were good at it and had a bass set up for it...hell yeah i'd do it, but only in context.

 

[Scootr117]

I'm coming over to the Bass after years as a guitar player.....to me it's cool to see and hear, but it's like the endless finger tap on pull offs hat VH made popular in the 80's.....it doesn't always fit....

 

[jonster]

If you like it, do it. If you don't like it, don't do it.

Jon Liebman
Author, "FUNK BASS" (slapping funk); "FUNK/FUSION BASS" (finger-style funk)
Invalid Link Removed

 

[CadenceIL]

I very much dislike it.

To me slapping has just lost it's appeal.
It seems that most individuals that slap only really appreciate select styles of music.

Also, I hate the notion that if you slap your automatically a better player. The sound has just been overdone so many times before that I've grown to dislike it.

It also seems that the majority of solo bassists just slap or tap the entire time.

 

[cnltb]

I don't slap very much at all.
It's fun on occasion tho.
A tool worth having even if I'm not asked very often to use it, I still try to not get too rusty.

 

[Lesfunk]

I don't slap much anymore. I just don't seem to have much use for the technique lately in the music I've been playing. I'll still slap if somebody wants me to play something that sounds flashy but to me there are only a handful of guys who can really do that style justice.

 

[DWBass]

I very much dislike it.

To me slapping has just lost it's appeal.
It seems that most individuals that slap only really appreciate select styles of music.

Wrong! I slap (so do many others) and appreciate EVERY style of music including classical, rock and some metal. How many bassists do you really know?

It also seems that the majority of solo bassists just slap or tap the entire time.

Again, how many bassists have you really seen and heard.

 

[bassman275]

I slap sometimes but most of the time play finger/finger funk style.What I don't like is people always saying,"play some funky s*** to which I always reply with as boring a bassline I can come up with...cause to Me,it's not the most difficult style in My arsenal.

 

[kenlacam]

Is hating the technique related to not being able to do it? It has its place in certain genres, just like all techniques do, like playing with a pick, using harmonics, etc. I use it in r & b/funk music.

 

[kenlacam]

I very much dislike it.

To me slapping has just lost it's appeal.
It seems that most individuals that slap only really appreciate select styles of music.

Also, I hate the notion that if you slap your automatically a better player. The sound has just been overdone so many times before that I've grown to dislike it.

It also seems that the majority of solo bassists just slap or tap the entire time.

These are broad, sweeping generalizations which are simply NOT true. Do some research, and talk to more than just the few bassists that you know.

 

[funkmangriff]

i love some slap- Level 42

i dont like random hit the strings coz anyone can do that!

wish i could slap like thee Mark King!

 

[kesslari]

I don't hate it, but I don't use it.
First, I love fingerstyle funk. That really drives me at the moment.
Second, years ago (my first go-round with bass) I used to slap a lot.
I was considered pretty good at it.
And I used "pretty good at a flashy slap technique" to hide "has several fundamental gaps in musical knowledge". I didn't realize that was what I was doing at the time.

I see it in retrospect. And since, at the moment, my practice time is limited, I'm working to address the gaps. And fingerstyle funk more than covers the gig situations that I'm doing.