Slap technique - need help with

[markdavid]

Hi all

Never really been crazy about slap and always hate when you see a demo of a bass and someone just slaps there whole way through it but I think when done sparingly in the right context in can work well. 

Have been playing a song with the band I am in where a slap part would really bring some groove to the song but I will be honest my slap technique sucks.

 I suspect when I slap I probably slap a little too hard and I don't get the cleanest tone as a result but then if I lighten up I find it harder to pop a note after the slap, I am sure there is some art to this that I am missing, hoping someone can give me some pointers on this.  I have a low-ish action and strongly suspect that if I raised my action a little this would help but then obviously it would make finger -style playing more difficult.

I also sometimes have trouble with striking 2 strings instead of one but I suspect this is due to me playing basses with very narrow string spacing

thanks

[ped]

Don’t worry about always popping after slapping. Develop the slap first if you like. I too found it misleading when all the books seem to suggest every slap should be followed by a pop. Personally I find them two completely different techniques which can be blended but not always together. 

[markdavid]

Thanks I will give that a try , I have been mostly playing fingerstyle and adding in the occasional pop to approximate the feel so I think you are right, I should concentrate on getting the slapping part down

[ped]

You should find that as you get smoother you can lower your action right down. The slap should have very little force behind it, you merely bounce off the string. Try sitting in front of the TV slapping a fretted note until it feels smooth and fluid. 

Another thing is timing - and the use of dead notes in between slaps and pops for the percussive rhythm. 

[wal4string]

I have attached a small part of Level 42's "The Machine Stops" which may help. To clarify LH (left hand) is a muted note without hitting the string with the right hand.

The Machine Stops.pdf

[Simon Horn]

Hi Mark,

I good place to start is playing some scales with just your thumb/slap as this will help develop your accuracy. Do you know if you are striking the string with your thumb parallel (Marcus Miller and others ) or across the string (Flea)? Both are fine though achieve different results. Also, have you written the bass line you want or is the aim that the slap technique will give you new ideas for sound and rhythms?  

Cheers,

Simon