What is this slap technique called?

Milt Hinton was the master of this slap technique. He’s the slap master of Jazz stylings and I could only dream of ever being able to slap it like The Judge someday. I’m not sure what this technique is called, however.

 

I don't know of any name for this technique, but I do use it usually when I'm playing a two feel in a New Orleans style jazz tune.

 

Milt Hinton specifically mentions Pop's Foster in this and other videos he did. Pops is widely accredited with being the first slapper in jazz, ca. 1900 New Orleans, incorporating a more subtle, less in-your-face slap technique in his work.

Here's an example of Pops' work with the Muggsy Spanier band (Pops takes his break at 4:07):



My slap is heavily influenced by Pops. I tend to tap with the fingertips more than slap with them, and produce a string-slap on the back stroke with the heel of the palm. I don't pull the strings and release them to hit the fingerboard on the recoil.

Btw, if you're interested in a good read, Pops' Autobiography "New Orleans Jazzman" provides a great view of his work, as well as the early jazz cultures he lived in.

 

A person can still do trips and quads with the more subtle techniques. Still lots of fun.

For me the more subtle slap goes nicely with country, swing, bluegrass, folk, early and some of the more modern jazz, and even a more understated rockabilly. Basically this covers roots music nicely with not really a lot of limitation.

 

I play bass in a trad jazz group and I sometimes employ a slap technique that's different from what rockabilly guys do and probably closer to what the OP is referring to. It's similar to regular pizzicato, but I just use my index finger to grab the string enough the slap back against the fingerboard. Sometimes I even use my thumb for a three against for rhythm. Here's a brief example:



- Steve

 

Very nice Steve!!! That's the answer to how to slap when you've got low action as in for modern jazz and classical!