Help Luke learn to Slap! :-)

Eberbachl

Eberbachl

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Hi Guys,

I'd really like to learn to slap well - I've been playing bass for about five or six years, and haven't really learned how to slap yet.

I guess I've really been avoiding it a bit - I've even been heard to say that I don't slap because I don't like it, when I should have said I don't slap because I suck at it, but would like to learn. I actually love it - I think good slap is as funky as hell!

So - I have a neat book called Slap It! By Tony Oppenheim, and I've worked through some exercises and am practising the examples.

Here's a clip of one of the examples out of the book - I'd love to hear any tips and techniques to help me out, and any critique of my playing.

Florin I suggested in another thread that...

Florin said:
you have to let your hand loose, to roll. Always an up- down unstoppable movement. I feel like you treat each note separatelly, and don't let the arm - hand move like a big unstoppable rolling ball
Click to expand...

...which I'm working on - not sure if I'm getting it yet.

Please offer your thoughts:

Slap Example 1

Thanks!

:d
 
Hey Luke, I like how it sounds. I think we can help you more if you record a video clip with you, playing. Standing not sitting :-)
Could you do it for us?
 
Hi Florin,

Thanks! Yes - I'm sure I can record video - I might take a little time to work out how to sync the audio recorded with the M-Audio USB pre with the video stream, as I haven't done that before and I'm sure the audio from my little pocket camera would be terrible.

I'll try.

:d

Thanks,

Luke.
 
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OK - here's my first ever Youtube video :d

It's just the video mode from my tiny Casio pocket camera with the built in mic, so the audio is terrible - but hopefully it's helpful.

;)

[video=youtube;j-zTBD8veTA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zTBD8veTA[/video]
 
Ok. So I know i'm not as experienced as flo
buttt...he can correct me if i'm wrong:lol::lol:

Ok so the first thing i noticed is. You're slapping
pretty well, technique wise. It looked like you
were trying to pluck the strings with your thumb
at some points so make sure it is only your wrist
turning and having your thumb bounce off the string.

It looks like your hand was parallel to the strings so
that was correct. So overall its just a matter of practicing.
I'd also say that you looked a little stiff, sooo loosen
upppp:lol:loosey goosey :lol: and now you'll remember
that every time you slap. But slapping is just as much
about being comfortable and loose as being intense
and precise. "intense precision" in the words of my band
director.

I'll see if I can record a video and maybe that'll help
But overall good job
 
Thanks Kyle - I appreciate the comments.

;)

You're right about the stiffness - I'm far too stiff....particularly when the camera is rolling! :lol: I've got to relax that hand. My left hand isn't too bad I feel, as I'm fairly confident with that, but my right hand needs to relax.

Regarding the thumb - what I'm doing is thumping "through" the string rather than hitting it and bouncing off it. A bit like the Victor Wooten style double thump, but without the second thump on the upstroke. Does that make sense? Although I found accuracy to be a little more difficult to develop with that technique, now that I'm getting a little more consistent I find it feels a little more natural, and seems to better position my hand for a follow up pop.

Comments?

:d
 
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Well. I would suggest against it because putting your thumb in that double thumb position weakens your slap. Because double thumbing does not and isn't really supposed to sound like a slap. Double thumbing is move like a solution to not using a pick. And using your thumb to get a thick meaty kinda slap sound.

I got a master class from reggie hamilton on slapping and playing
(he's the one who taught victor the double thumb)
 
I 'm no slap expert but it seems you move your thumb in relation to your palm, in an opening/closing motion. It's probably because you 're trying the double thumb style. I would avoid that for starters and try to keep it more fixed and rigid to the rest of your palm. The wrist should be relaxed to rotate freely and so should the forearm because it will move a bit with the wrist motion. Whatever you do with slap do it in rhythm, even if it means you hit a wrong string once in a while when practicing. Pay attention to the mechanics of what your body is doing and try some variation to how you position your bass on you, you may need to adapt slightly depending on where you slap at any given moment. I find it very important to slightly move my head and upper body a bit to the rhythm, gives you more groove. ;)
 
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Thanks for the input guys....I'll be in the woodshed if anyone's looking for me.

:d
 
Ok, I'll throw my 2p in the ring...

For me the main thing is 'bounce'...your thumb isn't bouncey enough. It looks a little like your wiggling your thumb to strike the string rather than bouncing your thumb.

Imagine that your thumb is the end of a whip - the motion actually starts from the elbow and culminates in the thumb whacking the string with a bouncing motion. That's all part of being loose...a whip wouldn't be a whip if it was a stick!! (How deep LOL).

The bounce thing is really important...without it you'll not be able to pick up speed and you'll also end up killing the notes inadvertantly.

Other than that, you're doing good :)

G
 
Thanks Gman,

;)

Spent a little time last night in the 'shed working on my bounce.

Will try to get another video up maybe tomorrow.

....all the help's much appreciated guys!

:d
 
I think you're doing fine & you just need to keep at it Luke.When it feels right,increase the tempo & throw in some double slaps when you feel confident.
Regarding thumb angle,imho there is no correct angle.Use what sounds best for you.
 
I'll try to record a clip too. Meanwhile... Have you started "slap it!" from the beginning?
The exercices are great in that boog for learning slap!
 
Thanks Greg ;)

Hi Florin - yes I've started Slap It! from the beginning. I'm finding it a very good book.

:d

;)

Cheers,

Luke.
 
Regarding thumb angle,imho there is no correct angle.Use what sounds best for you.
Click to expand...

+ 1 I play with my thumb pointing downwards at 45 degrees and I don't have any problems doing Level 42, RHCP, Stanley Clarke stuff.
 
+1 - i also find being able to alter the angle is helpful for slapping and popping strings that are next to each other.


Luke when you can play all of slap it you'll be a slapping master. - i've got the book but sadly don't have the attention span to play through it all - even though i know i should!

Your doing great i'd stick with what your doing and you'll get there in no time.

Slightly OT, but double thumb can sound like slap or be for speedy finger style or similar sounds to a pick it all depends on intensity. If your double thumbing to sound like slap this will increase the muscles in your thumb by a crazy amount as its far more intense than normal slapping.

I'd definitely stick with thumbing through luke far more useful for expanding techniques down the like and is easier to switch from it to 'traditional style' than the other way imo!
 
Here it is a video I've recorded for you.

First of all notice the way the hand rotates. So... in my opinion there is only one good way to slap, the natural way for your hand to rotate.
Second, notice that I use my thumb as a whip. You are using it like a hammer. For me it is the end of the whip.

At the end of the video you'll see that my index is always prepared for the next move. So when I slap, I put my index right on the wood.
I hope it helps matey :-)
I suggest you to restart the basic exercices, and post videos, what do you say?
Cheers, Flo
********************************************************
Later edit, please notice that I play the eights different than you are! First short, second long. So I play like a sixteenth, a sixteenth rest, then an eight, not plane eights. PamPaaaam Pam Paaaaaam :-) I think it sounds better, eh?
 
Thanks so much Florin ;)

I have restarted from the beginning of the book with the new thumb technique. I'm bouncing off the string as Kyle suggested instead of through it.

Kyle's right - you can make the thumb through the string sound like slap, but bouncing off it sounds bigger - much better tone.

I have to go away for two days for work, but when I return I'll post some videos for certain!

:d

Thanks all!

;)
 
I am playing with the thumb through the string, and it gives me the best slap sound (for me). I think boucing off will sound a little bit sloppy, as you cannot be fast enough... I mean... bounce it, but downwards so the string will not touch your thumb back haha!
 
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