having trouble slapping

FonBueller · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2002 1:06 pm Post subject: having trouble slapping

hi, new here.

i just got my first bass about 3 days ago. it's an ibanez btb510. I'm having trouble slapping the strings, because when i do it too hard it hits against the guitar (the string), and when i do it too lightly i can hardly hear it.

where on the string would you suggest i hit it?

jamesron41 · Tadpole Joined: 28 Mar 2002 Posts: 27

I am a beginner bass player also. Help ME TOO!

PJ · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2002 11:03 pm Post subject: having trouble slapping

It depends.

I try to hit the E and A strings with the side of my thumb, against the highest fret. Other than that, it's like twisting a door knob and keeping your wrist relaxed.

It was best for me when someone showed me a lick I could practice and improvise on. If you don't know anyone yet, go to Guitar Center (or any other local music shop) and "preview" one of those videos and just fast forward to the slap lesson. If you think it will help, buy it. Other than that, a book with photos and sounds of the lesson(s) might help. It depends on what will help you best.

[This message has been edited by PJ (edited April 01, 2002).]

pereek · Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2002 1:22 pm Post subject: having trouble slapping

hi
slapping....
k on my fender i "slap" between pickup and fretboard
remeber:
the slap needs to be a clean hit with the side
practice getting the hardest part of your thumb

and
the up part (doesnt have a name i dont think) needs to be quick
sound u dont mute the sound

hope that helps

jamesron41 · Tadpole Joined: 28 Mar 2002 Posts: 27

Hey, I just use a pick when I play a bass. Is that normal? I don't own a bass, but want to learn.

admin · Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2002 10:56 am Post subject: having trouble slapping

I played bass when I was younger and could never get the cool slap thing down either. Bums me out when people just pick up a bass and do it!

Cybermonsters (Most Beloved Admin)

pereek · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2002 12:37 pm Post subject: having trouble slapping

quote:
Originally posted by jamesron41:
Hey, I just use a pick when I play a bass. Is that normal? I don't own a bass, but want to learn.

hi nothing wrong with that at all
i'd say it was normall in punk and some rock yea
i don;t play with a pick because fingers allow more techniques (pop, slap, finger picking, easy 3rds)
but a pick is fine
most guitarists who come to bass use picks

jamesron41 · Tadpole Joined: 28 Mar 2002 Posts: 27

Thanks Pereek!

jamesron41 · Tadpole Joined: 28 Mar 2002 Posts: 27

pereek · Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2002 10:58 am Post subject: having trouble slapping

quote:
Originally posted by jamesron41:
Thanks Pereek!

yea tis cool
i got a gig on 26th
wish me luck

GroovemetalUT · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2002 7:31 pm Post subject: having trouble slapping

i learned how to "slap and pop" from watching one video and that was victor wooten. the best way toearn how tolap and pop is mimic drum rudimetns and put melodys to them cuz thats what the slap and pop is for its a percussive way of playing tghe bass. Mutes are important as they acccent things. I know how to do flam triplets, paradiddles, reverse paraddidles, radimacues

and that cool stuff it just depends on how you wanna use it and far you would like to go with it. You just have to expand your mind with every technique you learn. But if you ever wanna piss of a drummer just learn rudiments its funny stuff.

admin · Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2002 3:19 am Post subject: having trouble slapping

"Having Trouble Slapping"

ROFL

idiot · Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2002 2:13 pm Post subject: having trouble slapping

well u just rotate ur wrist to the right (for lefties left) and then just let ur hand come back to normal with the joint in ur thumb hitting the string, no better way to explain

daddyduck · Not So Newbie Joined: 16 Oct 2002 Posts: 6

The way I do it is i hit the string in a 45 degree angle down landing on the next string down and automaticaly coming back up hit the string again in a upward stroke. a good beat is this action + 2 strings down muffled or the same tone. its sounds like a basic drum beat if you muffled everything that is what graham did when his mom's drummer walked out. he created slap.