Who uses slap in real life?

[Happynoj]

Hi guys

I would like to preface this post by making it known that I am not opposed to slap bass. I am a moderate ability slapper, and this thread is not slap-bashing.

I have been thinking about this issue for a while now, and it is down to YouTube. There are plenty of video demos of basses, amps and effects available, but there seem to be a disproportionate number of demos that contain no fingerstyle or pick playing - you just get a two minute slapfest. Now as I said, I don't have an issue with slapping at all, but when I'm watching a demo I would much rather that the majority of it was fingerstyle and pick playing, because I have never used slap in real life.

When I say 'real life' I mean outside the bedroom - I bang out Jamiroquai songs and have been known to attempt some Level 42 at home, but have never had an opportunity to bring out the thumb on any kind of gig. So this got me thinking about whether I was unusual as a bassist - not opposed to slapping, but never actually does it in front of an audience - and I thought I would create a poll to see what other people do.

 

[Torrente Cro]

I slap around 5-10% songs, usually songs that I suggested

 

[David Jayne]

I work in a band that does songs featuring slap, like Car Wash, Brick House, and lately Uptown Funk among others. Another band wanted Life Is Beautiful by RHCP (that one was a challenge) so it's called for here and there. I practice it at home just to make sure it 'feels' good on the gig but it's not my main focus.

 

[DWBass]

I regularly play old school funk, urban gospel and smooth jazz music and use slap quite a bit. As for technique, I'm an old school bass player and use basic slap techniques as used back in the day.

 

[Alex J]

I play in two funk bands that gig regularly: one with a strong 80s influence, and one a bit jazzier - lots of slap in both (originals and covers). The crowd always dance, cheer etc. I play an MM Sabre and also use the old school style of slap playing - some double thumbing occasionally, but it's more Doug Rauch/Larry Graham than Victor Wooten.

How can someone be 'opposed' to a technique?

 

[lfmn16]

I use it zero percent of the time, but I admire people that can slap well and fit it into the music appropriately. Every overused technique gets a bad rap. There is no such thing as a bad technique, just people that don't know how to use it.

 

[SteveC]

See this thread/video link...

I don't have a Guitar Center Slap Riff... | TalkBass.com

 

[Happynoj]

How can someone be 'opposed' to a technique?

I don't know, but plenty of people on TB seem to have major issues with all sorts of things and go out of their way to let everyone know how much they dislike them. Common examples include slap, picks, Fenders, Fender copies, effects pedals, 5 string basses, narrow string spacing, etc, etc, etc...

 

[Alex J]

I don't know, but plenty of people on TB seem to have major issues with all sorts of things and go out of their way to let everyone know how much they dislike them. Common examples include slap, picks, Fenders, Fender copies, effects pedals, 5 string basses, narrow string spacing, etc, etc, etc...

Yeah man. I thought bassists were a pretty open minded bunch until I came here!

 

[SteveC]

I thought this was a fairly legit poll. OP doesn't state any hate or opposition, just wondering. I use it very little and don't listen to many that donut more but that's fine.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I use it zero percent of the time, but I admire people that can slap well and fit it into the music appropriately. Every overused technique gets a bad rap. There is no such thing as a bad technique, just people that don't know how to use it.

To my regret, that simple beginner's - "grab-the-bass-and-slap-immediately" - bass slap sound overpolluted our "Lite" music, and gave the Slappers a bad name.
Some of the young bass players - even the very gifted ones - usually succumb to the following "ego-bursting" mentality, "The faster - the better", without any serious considerations for the "feel", mood, groove, articulation, etc...
Nowadays, in order to write a "non-trivial and non-annoying" bass slap line, a bass player must be gifted and invest some time to REALLY improve the slap technique and become like a composer who is creating a "second melody" - bass line by using a very powerful and effective bass slap technique.

P.S. For those bass players who just love bass slapping without any considerations and can afford it in the band environment, please disregard my comment.

 

[Brother Goose]

I play a lot of funk/soul, r&b, & urban gospel... but try to only thump when appropriate and know that many drummers can be irked by the technique.

To be honest, I love my fretless so much I tend to only pick up my fretted for thumping or to have a lighter bass with less demand on my brain. (3rd set or after 3 beers)

Double-thumbing, triplets, and 16th note "robo-slap" all have their place; if it's compelling to the dancers and rest of your ensemble!

Don't hate- syncopate!

 

[Stinsok]

I'm not opposed to slap. I inappropriately pull and pop all the time!

 

[Altitude]

Now and then I play in a horn funk band - their book includes a lot of the 70s funk classics with the legendary basslines. It's an enormously fun gig.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

I inappropriately pull and pop all the time!

Nothing wrong with it.
It's called, Rhythmic Displacement.
Congratulations, you have just entered the advanced bass player level.

 

[socialleper]

If I had the chops to do it like Claypool, Wooten, Miller, Martinie or Schendziolos I'd be all over it. I just don't truly understand their advanced techniques. I don't think my brain or hands are fast enough.

 

[Altitude]

Stay with this, I get there eventually:



I usually don't stay that low that long on slap-based solos, but the venue we were in this night had amazing subs right under the stage and it was really fun to rattle the room. If you look closely you can see the camera shaking at around 8:50.

Indulgent? Yes. Hella fun? Absolutely.

 

[RattleSnack]

I slap/pop when needed, in my 80` rock cover band. I started practising when I wanted some songs to sound "proper", but later realised that it is great way to change my right hand position and rest my muscules.
As with other techniques (finger, palm mute, pick), slap ads variety and is fun. Also, audience and my fellow musicians like it.

 

[Whousedtoplay]

Stay with this, I get there eventually:



I usually don't stay that low that long on slap-based solos, but the venue we were in this night had amazing subs right under the stage and it was really fun to rattle the room. If you look closely you can see the camera shaking at around 8:50.

Indulgent? Yes. Hella fun? Absolutely.

Really cool! I like it.
Just a question.
After your slap solo, you are switching back to fingerstyle while comping the guitar solo, instead of continuing "thumb-Slapping" those syncopated 16th notes.
Why?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I regularly play old school funk, urban gospel and smooth jazz music and use slap quite a bit. As for technique, I'm an old school bass player and use basic slap techniques as used back in the day.

I pretty much take the same approach. I usually slap at least a little bit at every service. It usually sounds good with what is happening, and congregation members often compliment me on how I play.