Slap it!

[msangster]

I was wondering who has the Slap it book,its by Tony Oppenheim. I was wondering how did you practice the bass grooves? Did you do them slowly or did you do them with the cd,tape or record? Did you use a metronome,if you did what speed?

[bc_dup1]

I used that book some years ago, it's quite a good one. Personally I just played the exercises, slowly then built up speed. I may have used a 'nome occasionally. I didn't play along with the record - from memory my book came supplied with one of those old thin vinyl recordings, and since I did not have a turntable I've never even heard any of the recordings.

 

I occasionally used to get young bassists coming up to me after gigs asking about slapping and I used to recommend this book. I don't really care for the slap style very much, but I needed it for that band so I learned to do it to a passable standard. I've always thought it ironic that the thing that got me most interest from other players was my slapping when I had no real interest in it.

[jeremy c]

I pretty much know this book by heart.

 

I listened to the record a few times. Tony's playing is exceptionally clean.

 

But to practice, I just read the exercises and played them over and over.

[bc_dup1]

There's a point in the book, reasonably near the end, where the exercises get quite a lot harder. I didn't persist beyond that point. The book had served its purpose so I could play the slapped tunes I needed to for the band I was in. I wasn't interested enough in being a slapmeister to put in the time to master the last few exercises.

[jeremy c]

That's the best part of the book!

Why skip it?

[bc_dup1]

I was a relative beginner on the instrument, Jeremy (as I still am compared to many of the players round here). At that time I couldn't have played a varied mid-tempo walking line on Autumn Leaves or So What, so I felt I had more important things to learn than advanced slap techniques. I'm guessing you were already a much more advanced player. Once you've baked your cake you can spend time on the icing.

[tnb]

I purchased that book in '83 or '84. It not only cleaned up my slap technique, but it made sight reading effortless - especially when you get to the back of the book.

[Morning Koa]

Originally posted by msangster:

I was wondering who has the Slap it book,its by Tony Oppenheim. I was wondering how did you practice the bass grooves? Did you do them slowly or did you do them with the cd,tape or record? Did you use a metronome,if you did what speed?

This forum is so great. I have got more information about the bass than I could injest in a life time. I was wandering about a good book on slap style, and it magically appears on the fourm. Thanks to all the guys and gals who post the useful data.

[tnb]

Originally posted by msangster: I was wondering how did you practice the bass grooves? Did you do them slowly or did you do them with the cd,tape or record? Did you use a metronome,if you did what speed?

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I recommend practicing slowly and with a metronome. Take it nice and easy, there is no rush (no pun intended). As you get faster, you will hear the lines evolve. A lot of the exercises are harder to play slowly, but it is worth the effort. It will change the way you hear complex lines.

[Mr. Phil]

Originally posted by bc:

Once you've baked your cake you can spend time on the icing.

Thats a good quote. Never heard it.

[bc_dup1]

Thanks Phil, not a quotation as such, although it's probably too obvious an idea to be completely original.