J. Dan Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I've not had formal lessons on bass, just other instruments. I don't do a lot of slap, but when I do, the volume is way above the rest of my playing - and I dig in pretty good. In fact I think many accomplished bass players okay with a lighter touch than me, so does that mean I'm overly aggressive with the slapping? In particular, it just seems it's not possible to pluck below a certain level - but it's off the charts compared to my regular playing. Is it technique, need for compression, the bass, some combination? I hear some jazz players mix up technique and it all flows evenly and smoothly. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Play lighter. Just bounce your thumb off the string, don't kill it. I think the speed with which you hit the string is more important than the amount of strength. I've practiced a lot with a VU meter so that my finger playing and slap playing would be at the same volume level. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lug Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 Slap is one of the main reasons why compression is more important than in the "good ol' days". You can stop now -jeremyc STOP QUOTING EVERY THING I SAY!!! -Bass_god_offspring lug, you should add that statement to you signature.-Tenstrum I'm not sure any argument can top lug's. - Sweet Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted November 7, 2014 Share Posted November 7, 2014 I never use compression, live or in the studio. My small catalog of recorded music stands for itself. (I think it's standing the corner right now). Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Dan Posted November 7, 2014 Author Share Posted November 7, 2014 I said slap, but the popping part is what really jumps out. Dan Acoustic/Electric stringed instruments ranging from 4 to 230 strings, hammered, picked, fingered, slapped, and plucked. Analog and Digital Electronic instruments, reeds, and throat/mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul K Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I'm not a slap monster; just enough to get by. But what J.C. said: lighten up, for the slap and the pop. I had success with practicing unplugged. It gave me much better feedback on weather I was choking it or not. Watch Victor. If you're more than 6 rows back, it looks like he's not even moving his right hand at all. Things are just the way they are, and they're only going to get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 Like Paul I'm no slap monster either but through my attempts at learning the technique I've discovered a couple of things. First Jeremy is correct that you need to lighten up on your touch. It doesn't take much and the added benefit it that you'll get better speed and control of the technique. Make sure you aren't accidentally resting your thumb on the string causing it to mute the note unless of course a muted note is what you want. Generally you need to just quickly bounce off the string. For popping if you dig in too deep you get that big SNAP but it will also slow you down and those machine gun triplets that guys like Marcus do become difficult to do. Second is EQ'ing. When I attempted slapping in my band my EQ was set for the typical low muddy classic rock tone and when I slapped it seemed to get lost in the mix. That then caused me to slap and pop harder which then mucked up the technique. Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lug Posted November 10, 2014 Share Posted November 10, 2014 I never use compression, live or in the studio. My small catalog of recorded music stands for itself. (I think it's standing the corner right now). I don't either, but slap/pop is a "special" circumstance. There are certain sounds you get from slapping "hard" vs. slapping "soft". You need compression to deal with that to keep your levels where you want them in a live situation. If I need to slap, it's usually myself for especially poor playing so I personally don't need compression. You can stop now -jeremyc STOP QUOTING EVERY THING I SAY!!! -Bass_god_offspring lug, you should add that statement to you signature.-Tenstrum I'm not sure any argument can top lug's. - Sweet Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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