BottomEndian Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 (edited) I'm looking at the rudiments of slap technique. I'll probably never use it in a band context, but it might come in handy one day. So I've been looking at various resources, talking to people and all that, and it seems that there are two schools of thought as to what to do with your thumb when you slap: [list=1] [*]Flick it onto the string and bounce it straight off again, back to where it started [*]Flick it sort of [i]across[/i] the string so it follows through and comes to rest on the next string [/list]I understand the second option comes in handy when you get into the world of double-thumbing (or double-thumping or whatever it's called), but that's a long way off yet. I've also noticed that Stu Hamm recommends it in his BGM column this month. So which do you do? And if you'd care to elaborate, why do you do it? Edited February 21, 2010 by BottomEndian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I use the double thumb/follow through technique- I find it both more intuitive and easier to apply in a groove than the standard slap and pop technique. To be honest double thumbing is not that difficult IMO- once you understand the principle (and it sounds like you do) it's just a matter of gaining speed with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 My default is to bounce off and return so you need decent speed if you don't want to triplet all the time. I have always done this so stick with it, but ghammer, slap, pluck over an octave is a useful style as well. You can make that hammer, slap, slap, pluck as well and even hammer up, hammer down ( double thump ) slap, slap and pluck. I really like a fast double thumb which almost slurs the notes as the thumb doesn't really attack the strings..or you can use the nail to give it more edge. Stu Hamm is all about fast edgy slapping which is ok if that is your thing. Miller plays grooves ..or did before he got his solo thing going. There are many records with him as a sideman that pretty much wrote that book. I like Randy Jackson, Readdy Freddie and Wooten can sound great if his double thumping isn't done to death... Alain Caron has an interesting slant, IMO.. All those guys have different takes on slapping and make it work...IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 voted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Thanks guys. Anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I use both techniques depending on what I'm after. I tend to bounce for more aggressive, triplet type things-where I do to thumps and a pluck. I also think that each note has more definition and consistency when you bounce. I go 'through' the string if I need more speed as it facilitates double thumbing,and I find the motion more relaxing. Usually I use kind of a hybrid of the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 [quote name='Doddy' post='751867' date='Feb 20 2010, 03:49 PM']I use both techniques depending on what I'm after. I tend to bounce for more aggressive, triplet type things-where I do to thumps and a pluck. I also think that each note has more definition and consistency when you bounce. I go 'through' the string if I need more speed as it facilitates double thumbing,and I find the motion more relaxing. Usually I use kind of a hybrid of the two.[/quote] Slappers? You should know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Slappers? Bounce off? Follow through? I've never read such filth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 I've added the "can't slap, won't slap" option for... well, those who can't slap and won't slap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Just a quick post from me - I would say it depends on what is coming up in the line and where I need to be in order to execute the phrase efficiently. Another question you could ask is whether or not players are 'thumb up' (Like Mark King, for example) or 'thumb down' (Fieldy, as an extreme example). Again, for me I have my bass in a position that I can execute either way, as I find some lines easier in a different position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 [quote name='dood' post='752321' date='Feb 20 2010, 11:15 PM']Another question you could ask is whether or not players are 'thumb up' (Like Mark King, for example) or 'thumb down' (Fieldy, as an extreme example).[/quote] Question added! I haven't enabled multiple-choice, because I guess people will have a preferred style, even if they can use more than one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 It won't let me vote again but I always keep my thumb parallel to the strings, regardless of what slap technique I'm using. Don't understand why you'd want it any other way to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanark Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 [quote name='BottomEndian' post='752302' date='Feb 20 2010, 10:46 PM']I've added the "can't slap, won't slap" option for... well, those who can't slap and won't slap.[/quote] Yeah but it won't let you vote without also choosing which direction the thumb you're not using is pointing lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 [quote name='lanark' post='752465' date='Feb 21 2010, 03:07 AM']Yeah but it won't let you vote without also choosing which direction the thumb you're not using is pointing lol[/quote] Option added. This is getting complicated... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witterth Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 [quote name='Marvin' post='752248' date='Feb 20 2010, 09:39 PM']Slappers? Bounce off? Follow through? I've never read such filth. [/quote] I was gonna say tha.........oh bugg@r it... what he said. mind you, an old "bluesey" mate of mine used to say"one slap deserves another" but err...hope to never "follow through" while playing guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 MB1. Got me Wondering?... has anybody ever slapped the Infamous Legendary Brown Note?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 heh, oh dear... Im the same as most - that being a bounce off unless im double thumbimg (or trying to, Ive only started learning recently!) However i always slap thumb down, even though i wear my bass unfashionably high. Just feels more natural for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 [quote name='MythSte' post='753330' date='Feb 21 2010, 10:33 PM']heh, oh dear... Im the same as most - that being a bounce off unless im double thumbimg (or trying to, Ive only started learning recently!) However i always slap thumb down, even though i wear my bass unfashionably high. Just feels more natural for me![/quote] How do you double thumb with a thumb down technique? I'd always struggled with it that way as i'm a thumb-downer too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 [quote name='lemmywinks' post='753353' date='Feb 21 2010, 10:59 PM']How do you double thumb with a thumb down technique? I'd always struggled with it that way as i'm a thumb-downer too[/quote] I cant and dont. Its thumb up with double thumbing, which i think is half the problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Being an ancient bass player I was slapping before I realised anyone was any good at it and saw how to do it properly, so I'm thumb down and paying for the bad habit. In my opinion, its better to be thumbs parallel Larry Graham style. Next best is Mark King style (have to have a short strap for that though). Parallel eases the double thumb think I struggle with but also makes the 'pop' easiest. Thumb down has its limitations which, for me at least, are way short of those who wisely chose to go parallel or up. Here's a good example of parallel with double, or upward at least, thumb strokes. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSq__vg7Gs&feature=fvw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSq__vg7Gs&feature=fvw[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MythSte Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 [quote name='4 Strings' post='753745' date='Feb 22 2010, 01:04 PM']Being an ancient bass player I was slapping before I realised anyone was any good at it and saw how to do it properly, so I'm thumb down and paying for the bad habit. In my opinion, its better to be thumbs parallel Larry Graham style. Next best is Mark King style (have to have a short strap for that though). Parallel eases the double thumb think I struggle with but also makes the 'pop' easiest. Thumb down has its limitations which, for me at least, are way short of those who wisely chose to go parallel or up. Here's a good example of parallel with double, or upward at least, thumb strokes. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSq__vg7Gs&feature=fvw"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMSq__vg7Gs&feature=fvw[/url][/quote] Being in the thumb down boat has meant that ive adapted my whole hand shape to suit popping, relying on a sort of pivoting action (imagine your hands in a 'tigers claw' position and twist side to side) and i cant for the life of me get my hand to pop smoothly when thumb up or parallel. Back to the drawing board methinks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Thumb up, bounce off. I don't do double-thumb and don't see how I'd be able to without following through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) I'm quite astonished (only quite, though ) at the way "thumb up" is winning. I hadn't even considered it as a sensible option for slapping. You've got to have a [b]seriously[/b] short strap to pull that off, surely? Is it just that Basschat's littered with Mark King wannabes? Edited February 23, 2010 by BottomEndian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='BottomEndian' post='754978' date='Feb 23 2010, 01:26 PM']You've got to have a [b]seriously[/b] short strap to pull that off, surely?[/quote] No you don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='The Funk' post='754989' date='Feb 23 2010, 01:32 PM']No you don't.[/quote] I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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