Brandonh Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 (edited) Yeah, I have been noticing how now a days bassist play a lot of slap. I dont really like slap(I dont like playing it.) Are there any people dominating the scene with there fingers. My favorite thing about a player is when they can groove. Are there any players that play with there fingers and can groove? Im having a hard time explaining this. I know people play with there fingers but I mean, Is there a bassist that fingers like Victor slaps? Edited May 30, 2007 by Brandonh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwbassman Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I'm not really into slap playing either, probably because I could never do it plus it is never required for the sort of music I play... Not sure of any pure finger players of the top of my head, but I'm sure you'll find that the great players (like Victor), can use all the techniques, if you want groove Victor is a great place to look - check out his clinics on bassplayer.tv Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 Slaps just a technique like any other as far as I can see. If the music you play doesn't need slap then there's probably no need for you to worry about not being able to do it. (However every drummer I've played with likes the bass player to slap it up a bit during a jam.) Loads of name bassists out there who don't slap too Anthony Jackson Jeff Berlin Francis 'Rocco' Prestia James Jamerson Carole King Donald 'Duck' Dunn Bob Babbit John Entwhistle Jaco to name but a few. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOD2 Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I think the thing about slap bass is that it's quite flashy and good for solo spots, therefore it lends itself very easily to bass players who solo. Many of the higher profile bass players are known for their soloing, therefore slap often comes into play. CK's list of players is a good starting point. But the thing is, a large part of the object ofd laying a solid groove is that it becomes part of the music as a whole and doesn't stand out on its own. For that reason the "fingering" won't be as noticable as slap playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbat Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I must confess to not being much of a slap fan myself, I prefer a pick, and only go as far as a quick slap and string pull to finish off a particular part, but I think you can fall into a good groove just by getting a good rapport with the drummer and getting into the music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 Re Slap: Never learned it, so old now I probably never will. Just don't like how it sounds really. That's it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_ferret Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 Dont know what you have been watching or listening to, but I have not noticed much of a slap comeback. But then footless tights are back in fashion so who knows................ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jase00 Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I can't slap at all, tried a bit but didn't really get into it. Seen some good players doing it though, great technique to have down I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Tinman Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 [quote name='bass_ferret' post='9650' date='May 31 2007, 12:35 AM']But then footless tights are back in fashion so who knows................[/quote] Yessss, my friend saw you at Brighton Market investing in a black pair, one size fits all... I'll get me coat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandonh Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Some people think thats the only way to become a pro nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I think slap bass playing is overrated. It is one of those tricks, like double bass drum pedals, which can be used to good effect but if it is overdone it looses its effectiveness. Sorry but I think a Chieftain tank makes a better noise than Mark King! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarnbass Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 yeah.. When I started playing, I couldn't wait to learn slap bass, and now that I can do it, I never use it, and I only ever hear people mention how uncool a technique it is, so much so that I think I hate it myself now! I think of it more like a party trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spikyhedgehog Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 It's just because it sounds more showy to people who aren't bassists, which is the majority of the audience. They think, 'eh wow, how'd you get that sound of a bass. He must be awesome!'. If you know about the actually difficulty of putting down a solid groove line you're going to apprechiate it more, and hence think it's better. If you don't know about that difficulty the slap line sounds better, and therefore 'is' better. If that makes sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul, the Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 CK's list is great. Plenty of material there to keep anyone interested. As far as new, up and coming group bassists with a solid, creative, interesting finegrstyle technique... I'm at a loss. Perhaps Nizlopi, Bedouin Soundclash (would love to hear others). I think it's more to do with fashion than talent. You might be better off looking towards hip-hop, modern soul and RnB for some creative, grooving basslines. To add to CK's list: Chuck Rainey, Jerry Jemmott, Duck Dunn, Tommy Cogbill, David Hood, Willie Weeks, Ronnie Baker, George Porter Jr., and Bootsy Collins. As well as the bassists I mentioned on your blues & rock thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandonh Posted May 31, 2007 Author Share Posted May 31, 2007 Well I looked up Duck and im pretty happy hearing him I will check out some others tommorow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul, the Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 [quote name='Brandonh' post='9685' date='May 31 2007, 03:32 AM']Well I looked up Duck and im pretty happy hearing him I will check out some others tommorow.[/quote] What kind of music do you like to listen to, or would like to further explore? I can assure you that our recommendations are top-notch but if you're not interested in the style, you won't be motivated to play. I'm still uncertain about what you're looking for and I'd like to help. The best medicine would probably be to get hold of a lot of different music, try and play along and see what rhythms come (and don't come) naturally to you. I think the best (well known) fingerstyle players have been mentioned that you can get material on - James Jamerson being my personal favourite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cantdosleepy Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 A true gentleman bassist is one who knows how to slap, but doesn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spike Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 [quote name='Brandonh' post='9448' date='May 30 2007, 08:37 PM']Yeah, I have been noticing how now a days bassist play a lot of slap. I dont really like slap(I dont like playing it.) Are there any people dominating the scene with there fingers. My favorite thing about a player is when they can groove. Are there any players that play with there fingers and can groove? Im having a hard time explaining this. I know people play with there fingers but I mean, Is there a bassist that fingers like Victor slaps?[/quote] I had the same problem when I started learning back in the 80s. Slap was really fashionable then and I just couldn't do it no matter how hard I tried (still can't). I decided fingerstyle was going to be my style and I wasn't going to feel bad about it. Not being able to slap has never been a problem for me. +1 on CKs and The Pauls lists of bassists, all as funky as they come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phatbass Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Never learned nor wanted to, I find most people who can slap can really only play 1 riff (can be heard in any music shop that sells bass guitars). Mybe it's just me but to me a bass sould sound like a bass, if you want to sound like a drummer go buy a drum kit. I always thought grove playing was fitting the muisc not "boing boing pop pop". Just my view for what it's worth. BIGd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 A true story (I have many from my years of being a R&R slut)... I auditioned for a band many moons ago and the auditions were very professionally run over the course of a day. I turned up nice and early and had the pleasure (gulp) of hearing the two guys go in before me and slap and pop there way through 3 songs a piece (wetwetwet, B Adams, Bad Co.). They were phenominal and 'way' better than me. The last guy came out, my turn. I immediately said to the band that if that was the standard and style they wanted I'd save them some time and leave now. I was asked to plug in to the rig supplied and play any way as I'd come all that way. At the end of the audition the band were looking very serious and as I was figuring out the best way to exit with some semblence of dignity, they burst out laughing and offered me the gig. Turns out that every bassist they'd auditioned had try to out-do the previous one and each and every one of them had slapped their t*ts off during Bad Co. 'Feel like makin love' and they hated it. I took the job and lasted 3 gigs. It turns out the band wanted every song played EXACTLY as it was recorded. I was asked not to put in ghost notes, double stops, passing notes... If it wasn't on the record don't do it, I couldn't do it! Moral of the story - Slap has its place and time and make sure you know what you are getting yourself in for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chardbass Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 [quote name='Brandonh' post='9448' date='May 30 2007, 08:37 PM']Yeah, I have been noticing how now a days bassist play a lot of slap. I dont really like slap(I dont like playing it.) Are there any people dominating the scene with there fingers. My favorite thing about a player is when they can groove. Are there any players that play with there fingers and can groove? Im having a hard time explaining this. I know people play with there fingers but I mean, Is there a bassist that fingers like Victor slaps?[/quote] Don't worry about it. You should have been around in the 80's- then you would have worried!! Everything finds it's level eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veils Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I guess for someone who uses fingers like Wooten slaps - Billy Sheehan. When I saw him with Vai, pretty much everything he did was fingers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 MB1. Nothing pleases me more than a good slap,but im not willing to talk about sexual preferences here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nimrod Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 Slap:- Firstly I have to say that I'm no good at it, also I don't really like the *sound* of most of it. I'd much rather listen to a bassist groove than slap. Funk is definately in the fingers for me. The other problem is that 8/10 guys think they *have* to do it, even if they're not really that good at it... And there's nothing worse than a crummy Flea impersonator, check any music shop on a Saturday. Does it go in and out of fashion? I guess so... Remember "just say no to slap" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted May 31, 2007 Share Posted May 31, 2007 I've always wanted to be able to do good 'slap n pull. Can't do it. Watched the vids...no help. Same with tapping, it sounds good (in the right context) but alas not for me. To compensate I have developed 'reasonable' finger technique and happily play most music styles where this technique suites. It would be nice to be able to 'impress' at Jamnights, but for every person who thought 'whooyarr' there would be one who thought T***pot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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