Slap Bass quesitons.... (funk, pop, member, solo, quote)

thebassistX · 05-16-2006, 08:48 PM

ok sooo....

1. what part of your thumb is supposed to hit the string? ie side, middle etc.
2. are you supposed to lock the side of hand and then slap or is it supposed to be free
3. how far in and out should your thumb go when u slap?
4. this ones sorta stupid but its supposed ot make a slapping sound right cuz in the demonstration i saw there was no slap sound just the note
5. is my thumb muscle the only thing moving or my whole wrist or arm or all?
6. how do u mute? wit ur left hand or right?

*please explain anything else important!!!!!

yes some of these questions sound stupid but i wanna make sure im doing everything right so i dunt have to correct it l8ter

littleknowitall · 05-17-2006, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebassistX

ok sooo....

1. what part of your thumb is supposed to hit the string? ie side, middle etc.
2. are you supposed to lock the side of hand and then slap or is it supposed to be free
3. how far in and out should your thumb go when u slap?
4. this ones sorta stupid but its supposed ot make a slapping sound right cuz in the demonstration i saw there was no slap sound just the note
5. is my thumb muscle the only thing moving or my whole wrist or arm or all?
6. how do u mute? wit ur left hand or right?

*please explain anything else important!!!!!

yes some of these questions sound stupid but i wanna make sure im doing everything right so i dunt have to correct it l8ter

right im here to help,
right for a start you slap with the side of your thumb and its supposed to hit just below the end of the fretboard, you can lock your hand or slap freehand, i slap freehand, in and out? the twisted sister bassist literally lraises his arm in the air before he comes down to the next note and victor wooten barely twitches, whatever feels comfortable...
aslong as your strings aren't nackered like mine itll make a sorta popping sound.
i use my wrist when i slap too i suppose, not sure about the arm, supose you could. i think just your thumb would be a little weak.
mute with your left hand, (assuming you play right handed)

littleknowitall · 05-17-2006, 08:53 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dWb-...ch=bass%20solo this isn't the song but its good ol' victor neways. so have a listen to the slap demon!

boo boo · 05-17-2006, 09:56 AM

I learned that the best way to slap, is by twisting your hand like you're twisting a doorknob, don't jerk it, you'll get the hang of it, remember to position your fingers near the high strings, and rest your thumb on the lowest string.. Anyway i slap it with the middle of my thumb, or right where the joint is at, don't strike it with the tip of your thumb because it mutes the strings and you just get a dull half assed sound, when you want to mute your strings, it depends on the shape of your hand, try both using your thumb and your index finger, and decide which suits you best... Where to slap it is another good question, i learned that the best place to slap it is close to the neck, because it's easier and the tone comes out sounding much funkier, which is what you want... The strings are tight in that region, and the whole point of slapping is to get the strings to bounce of the fretboard, which creates that funky percussion sound.... It's basically just like piano wire when it's struck with a mallet after you push the key that triggers it.

Popping is easy. You basically pluck your strings with your middle or index finger, it's the catch and release method, you pull the strings and then you let them go, it creates a snapping sound, it requires a bit of timing and speed to get it right.... Remember to get a tight grip on the strings with your fretting hand, the tighter the better.

Once you get the hang of both techniques, it's good to try them together, slap with your thumb, pop with your index or middle finger... The most easy way is by slapping the lower notes and popping the higher ones... Once you practice, learn to measure your speed, practice slowly before you decide to build up some speed, if you can't play it slow then you surely can't play it fast.

Just practice it with some simple basslines and intros... Like the bass intro to Crazy Train or something like that.

thebassistX · 05-17-2006, 01:05 PM

is that the same for all the stings like a d g or is there a dif method for that?

boo boo · 05-17-2006, 02:24 PM

It ought to work with downtunings as well, but i'm not the expert, i don't fiddle with my tunings too much... I just stick with the basic E D A G... Never hurts to experiement though.

thebassistX · 05-21-2006, 09:35 PM

um just a question : is my arm supposaed to be "tight" when i play? or loose like when u use ur fingers cuz when i tighten up the sound is louder and clearer.....

boo boo · 05-21-2006, 10:52 PM

There is no "suposed", you just do what feels comfortable, and what gets the sound you're looking for.

littleknowitall · 05-22-2006, 09:30 AM

be relaxed, your fingers will strengthen if you keep playing and you'll get a clear crisp sound anyways. ooh i bought a 200 watt carlsbro combo yestersday FOR 90 QUID!!!! (woo! cheap!) hehe,

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-16-2006, 08:48 PM
thebassistX Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 96	Slap Bass quesitons.... ok sooo.... 1. what part of your thumb is supposed to hit the string? ie side, middle etc. 2. are you supposed to lock the side of hand and then slap or is it supposed to be free 3. how far in and out should your thumb go when u slap? 4. this ones sorta stupid but its supposed ot make a slapping sound right cuz in the demonstration i saw there was no slap sound just the note 5. is my thumb muscle the only thing moving or my whole wrist or arm or all? 6. how do u mute? wit ur left hand or right? *please explain anything else important!!!!! yes some of these questions sound stupid but i wanna make sure im doing everything right so i dunt have to correct it l8ter

05-17-2006, 08:53 AM
littleknowitall Last of the Musicologists Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: swansea, wales, uk Posts: 1,463	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dWb-...ch=bass%20solo this isn't the song but its good ol' victor neways. so have a listen to the slap demon! __________________ My Myspace. My Bands Myspace - Please Show Some Love Here. My Youtube. My Ultimate Guitar.

05-17-2006, 09:56 AM
boo boo Dr. Prunk Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Where the buffalo roam. Posts: 6,239	I learned that the best way to slap, is by twisting your hand like you're twisting a doorknob, don't jerk it, you'll get the hang of it, remember to position your fingers near the high strings, and rest your thumb on the lowest string.. Anyway i slap it with the middle of my thumb, or right where the joint is at, don't strike it with the tip of your thumb because it mutes the strings and you just get a dull half assed sound, when you want to mute your strings, it depends on the shape of your hand, try both using your thumb and your index finger, and decide which suits you best... Where to slap it is another good question, i learned that the best place to slap it is close to the neck, because it's easier and the tone comes out sounding much funkier, which is what you want... The strings are tight in that region, and the whole point of slapping is to get the strings to bounce of the fretboard, which creates that funky percussion sound.... It's basically just like piano wire when it's struck with a mallet after you push the key that triggers it. Popping is easy. You basically pluck your strings with your middle or index finger, it's the catch and release method, you pull the strings and then you let them go, it creates a snapping sound, it requires a bit of timing and speed to get it right.... Remember to get a tight grip on the strings with your fretting hand, the tighter the better. Once you get the hang of both techniques, it's good to try them together, slap with your thumb, pop with your index or middle finger... The most easy way is by slapping the lower notes and popping the higher ones... Once you practice, learn to measure your speed, practice slowly before you decide to build up some speed, if you can't play it slow then you surely can't play it fast. Just practice it with some simple basslines and intros... Like the bass intro to Crazy Train or something like that. __________________ http://www.progarchives.com/ http://www.gepr.net/geprfram.htm Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets ^ Currently listening to.

05-17-2006, 01:05 PM
thebassistX Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 96	is that the same for all the stings like a d g or is there a dif method for that?

05-17-2006, 02:24 PM
boo boo Dr. Prunk Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Where the buffalo roam. Posts: 6,239	It ought to work with downtunings as well, but i'm not the expert, i don't fiddle with my tunings too much... I just stick with the basic E D A G... Never hurts to experiement though. __________________ http://www.progarchives.com/ http://www.gepr.net/geprfram.htm Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets ^ Currently listening to.

05-21-2006, 09:35 PM
thebassistX Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 96	um just a question : is my arm supposaed to be "tight" when i play? or loose like when u use ur fingers cuz when i tighten up the sound is louder and clearer.....

05-21-2006, 10:52 PM
boo boo Dr. Prunk Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Where the buffalo roam. Posts: 6,239	There is no "suposed", you just do what feels comfortable, and what gets the sound you're looking for. __________________ http://www.progarchives.com/ http://www.gepr.net/geprfram.htm Brian Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets ^ Currently listening to.

05-22-2006, 09:30 AM
littleknowitall Last of the Musicologists Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: swansea, wales, uk Posts: 1,463	be relaxed, your fingers will strengthen if you keep playing and you'll get a clear crisp sound anyways. ooh i bought a 200 watt carlsbro combo yestersday FOR 90 QUID!!!! (woo! cheap!) hehe, __________________ My Myspace. My Bands Myspace - Please Show Some Love Here. My Youtube. My Ultimate Guitar.