It isn't everyones cup of tea but loads of us still love it! Let's start off with Marcus Miller, Larry graham, Mark King, Victor Wooten and Flea, to name a few. please offer your opinions and mention bass players who come to mind.
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Who's slap technique do you like the most?
- Thread starter camthebassist
- Start date
Larry Graham and Bootsy Collins. I always preferred slap players who were more interested in maintaining a solid groove than playing a bunch of super-fast dead notes and passing it off as functional bass work. But the wanky stuff is pretty fun to listen to - Les Claypool and Mark King are like "popcorn bassists" IMO; good for the spectacle, but not too impressive as far as the music goes (again, big IMO.) People like Miller and Wooten seem to have found a good balance between the two approaches.
Andy Johansson of Diablo Swing Orchestra is another favorite of mine, since he has slap chops but is reserved enough to keep his place as a rhythm/supporting instrument and give the space needed for the cellist, lead guitarist and opera singer (as well as any auxiliary instruments like horn or string sections that might be present.) Never got into Flea much. Although I'm sure it's blasphemy around here to admit, I liked Stevie Wonder's original version of Higher Ground better than the RHCP cover.
Andy Johansson of Diablo Swing Orchestra is another favorite of mine, since he has slap chops but is reserved enough to keep his place as a rhythm/supporting instrument and give the space needed for the cellist, lead guitarist and opera singer (as well as any auxiliary instruments like horn or string sections that might be present.) Never got into Flea much. Although I'm sure it's blasphemy around here to admit, I liked Stevie Wonder's original version of Higher Ground better than the RHCP cover.
They are all great, and I am especially fond of Mark King. I discovered Level 42 in 1987, and what he was doing sounded exactly like what I was trying to do at the time.
The last ten years of his career have been a little sad, IMO, as it appears he is mostly covering his own body of work. The new material, what there is of it, is not good. But I still love his playing.
The last ten years of his career have been a little sad, IMO, as it appears he is mostly covering his own body of work. The new material, what there is of it, is not good. But I still love his playing.
I've always liked Flea because I enjoy the Chili Peppers music. Their approach to rock/punk/funk, along with Flea's lines always interested me more than the solo bass artists.
I have to say Marcus Miller. That man makes everything look so EASY.... It seems to me he plays the bass like it's an extension of his body...
Also Les Claypool, Wooten and Flea. They all have unique aproaches and you'd always know it was them playing from their tone, style etc.
Also Les Claypool, Wooten and Flea. They all have unique aproaches and you'd always know it was them playing from their tone, style etc.
- Jul 8, 2009
- 1,612
- 11
- Disclosures
- A&R, Soulless Corporation Records
Larry, Bootsy, and Louis I like because they stay true to the song, and don't put as much focus on playing a 512th dead note fill.
Marcus and Victor are recognizable and find a way to balance the 512ths and supporting the songs.
Les is on the flashier side, but still makes good songs.
I enjoy listening to all of them, and admire each for different reasons.
Marcus and Victor are recognizable and find a way to balance the 512ths and supporting the songs.
Les is on the flashier side, but still makes good songs.
I enjoy listening to all of them, and admire each for different reasons.
I liked Marcus more when he was a side-man... The music he wrote for Miles Davis (and then played) was simply brilliant... his solo stuff leaves me cold.
Gotta say, the guy who sounds like the slap-mastah now is Vic. Dude can *thump*.
Gotta say, the guy who sounds like the slap-mastah now is Vic. Dude can *thump*.
slightly different approach, my favorite slap songs that i sat down and made myself learn:
francesco centeno "jamaica funk", ready freddie washington "forget me nots", nate watts "glide", larry graham "hair", "release yourself", "the jam","can you handle that" marcus miller "scoop","teen town", louis johnson "stomp", victor wooten "what did he say", fred hammond "lord of the harvest"
francesco centeno "jamaica funk", ready freddie washington "forget me nots", nate watts "glide", larry graham "hair", "release yourself", "the jam","can you handle that" marcus miller "scoop","teen town", louis johnson "stomp", victor wooten "what did he say", fred hammond "lord of the harvest"
Mark King. While Funk is an obvious vehicle for slap, he is also an excellent rock/pop bassist/singer who is able to successfully apply slap in a (sometimes) non-overtly funk context. He certainly helped me see many, many possible avenues of slapping in keys OTHER than Emaj/Emin/Esomething...
good responces everyone! i've seen some names which i've never seen before so i'll have to take a look. keep on sending responses and also tell me what your favourite slap bass songs are. i love Marcus' stuff like boomerang and nikki's groove
Marcus for me.. And not only his playing, his tone is my ultimate slap sound.
There's a Lee Ritenour song that Marcus wrote, I think it's called "Rio Funk", where he takes a solo that still blows my mind after first hearing it almost twenty years ago.
There's a Lee Ritenour song that Marcus wrote, I think it's called "Rio Funk", where he takes a solo that still blows my mind after first hearing it almost twenty years ago.
Stu Zender would probably be my #1 in the slap department, just because its so subtle and tasteful.
+1
I've always felt this. You just cant beat 70's funk.
On topic though, Victor Wooten is just inspiring.
