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Why slap shouldn't exist

#22
RyRob813 said:
Funny stuff. I personally think slap should only be used to accent a groove, not BE the groove. I'm certainly impressed by the slap virtuosos like Wooten and Miller, but I think they're having a negative effect on bass playing, believe it or not.

I say this, because as a young bass player in music school, I see so many of my peers that literally CANNOT play finger style, they're so into slap. When asked to just pluck, a combination of heavy fingers and low action for slapping results in a horrendous clank and noise finger style.

I think slap is awesome, but I think there's too many bass players focusing on fancy slap tricks over bass playing
Click to expand...

This is a very funny clip and I realize this is the bass humor section but your post I feel has a way more negative effect than wooten or miller (who by the way don't have a negative effect on music what so ever).
First of all though they are slap virtuosos, that is not all they do. If you have ever seen them or listened at length you would know there are alot more techniques being employed than slap not to mention their knowledge of music, long time experience and overall musicality of these individuals.
Your post paints players like this with a very broad stroke implying that they are mainly just a couple of high teck wankers who are in it for their own glorification.
The younger players who don't or feel they can't play that may dis-regard what players like that have to offer based on these kinds of posts.
Slap is a viable tool that any well rounded player should be able to use just as fingerstyle, pickstyle, harmonics, chords etc.
Your music school buddies may abuse it now but peoples tastes change as they progress so who knows what they may go on to.
Besides, If they are slapping constantly with extremely low action then you are not hearing it properly anyways.
My point is that posts (and many threads) like this tend to bias newer players against a particular style possibly causing them to not fully experience and experiment that style.
I realize there are many "wankers" out there but I would say there is a much larger percentage of players who use these techniques wisely and musically.
You may want to listen a little closer and maybe try it yourself. It may serve to broaden your own musicality.
Sorry for the long post but I would hate to see someone close their mind to any technique or style based on the things they read here on TB.
 
#24
Mighty Boosh rocks.

And just to fill in the story for all those who don't watch the show: They get trapped by an evil guy and he plays some slap bass resulting in the bear crashing onto the scene to devour the evil guy, therefore, saving the main characters. It's a hilarious turn of events and I honestly didn't see it coming when I was watching it.

I recommend that everyone actually watches the episode though. It really is funny
 
#26
If you don't dig the slap you're hearing.........you ain't hearing the right person slapping! I've been slapping since the early 70's and I don't like the trebly slappity slappity stuff either! Give me a solid slap groove, eq'd nicely and played tastefully and I'm good to go. There are tons of bassists who DO play tastefully so don't give up on the style. If you don't like the way it sounds, eq it to YOUR taste! And play it the way YOU like! There are NO rules!
 
#27
How great was that and the bear sings the hook. LMAO!! ROTF!

"Its the slap bass! He hates slap bass."

That might be my new quote if I didn't slap the bass so much, then again I don't want to upset the bears.

"No one listens to jazz; it just the science teachers and Menzies (lost in translation)" Classic...
 
#28
The Mighty Boosh are two great English comedians/writers - but they are also big music fans and what is evident from their comedy is a great love for and knowledge about musical styles.

So - they parody things like slap bass - but you know that they have an affection for Jazz Funk at the same time as they are parodying it for being "uncool" - a big part of their "charm" ! :)
 
#32
RyRob813 said:
Funny stuff. I personally think slap should only be used to accent a groove, not BE the groove. I'm certainly impressed by the slap virtuosos like Wooten and Miller, but I think they're having a negative effect on bass playing, believe it or not.

I say this, because as a young bass player in music school, I see so many of my peers that literally CANNOT play finger style, they're so into slap. When asked to just pluck, a combination of heavy fingers and low action for slapping results in a horrendous clank and noise finger style.

I think slap is awesome, but I think there's too many bass players focusing on fancy slap tricks over bass playing
Click to expand...

+1 to RyRob813
LOL funny clip thanks for sharing. I was seriously gonna flame this looking at the title. Slap is to bass what shredding arpeggios and TOO MUCH PENTATONIC is to guitars. Its a technique that normal people go WHOOHOO over. ie moving your fingers better than you can play with them. kinda like sex and being attractive, ever been with a hottie that was like a sac of potatoes in the bedroom? Awkward, hard to get into a groove, and funny noises happen.
 

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