[quote name='arabassist' post='539180' date='Jul 13 2009, 10:49 AM']Hello,
For a while ive been trying to master slap and pop since im such a fan of flea. at first i was awful at it, but i blamed having the wrong type of bass. I got myself a jazz and im still pretty crap at it. when i pop it just sounds like im picking it strongly...if i apply more force i just get a really loud twang. when i slap i get more sound coming out of the thumping against the fretboard then i do than coming from the amp. (if i put the volume up it just sounds too loud) So basically what i end up with is a bit of trash - it's a shame 'cause i wont be able to work on so many RHCP b-lines.
After a few hours of watching slap bass solos on the ol' yuutoobe, i'm starting to think slap bass is a piece of trash itself - just too many notes thumped and mashed per second. i came to the conclusion that id rather hear a fingerpicked solo with lots of growly distortion.
This is the kind of slap bass i just love - it's a shame i cant mimic it and then change it into my own.
I guess my point is, since i love some slap bass lines, should i try to work on it or should i just forget about it 'cause im never gonna get it?...and if i do would there even be much use to it? am i disadvantaged cos i cant tap or pick? (i can only fingerpick...im good at strumming chords too )
Chearses[/quote]
The Slap Bass Program DVD is very good and has been around for a long time. Just don't give up...it's a hard style to crack. I also hate the million notes per minute showing off - tuneless and pointless. Marcus is the master of the slower slap groove.