A great slap bass tone should sound “crisp” “round” and “aggressive.” This tone is achieved with the low-end and high-end frequencies boosted and the mid frequencies ‘scooped’ (kept low). This way, it’ll sound “aggressive” and “piercing” with enough bass to pronounce the pop and slap tones.
How do you slap on a bass?
Slapping on bass guitar involves using the edge of one’s knuckle, where it is particularly bony, to quickly strike the string against the fretboard. On bass guitars, this is commonly done with the thumb, while on double bass, the edge of the hand or index finger may be used.
What action do you use to slap bass?
When slapping or popping, attack by rotating your hand at the wrist only, moving your thumb toward the stings when slapping and pulling your finger(s) away from the strings when popping. Make sure not to rotate your hand more than 30 degrees in either direction, you will be faster and get less fatigued.
How hard is slapping bass?
Slapping can be really tough for beginner bass players that want to imitate their heroes like Flea, Marcus Miller or Mark King but some of the issues are easily fixed with some simple tips.
Why can’t I slap bass?
Sounds like you might have been putting too much oomph into the slap, causing the string to hit the pickup. Adjusting pickup height can alleviate some of that but you probably need to adjust your technique too. Slap playing is more about finesse then it is hitting hard.
Can you slap every bass?
In general, you can slap any bass guitar. However, not all basses produce the type of sound associated with slap bass. Having high action on your bass will make slapping more difficult and produce a less desirable sound. Slapping also becomes more difficult on basses with strings that are old or too thick.
Do you need a compressor for slap?
A compressor’s job is really just to make the quieter sounds louder and the louder sounds quieter, which is why compression can be a huge boon for slap style players as they can really help to even out the sound (i.e.: maintain a thick punchy thumb sound while also making the pops really pop).
Does slap bass hurt?
Slap isn’t painful…. pop is. You’ll get over it with more play time. slap is painful when u hit the fingerboard (really is painful, cause i slap HARD).
Who invented slap bass?
Larry Graham
Larry Graham is generally credited as inventing slap bass guitar. Graham has said that he was simply trying to create a drum-like sound to flesh out the rhythm in the then drummerless Family Stone.
How do you slap bass better?
How to Play Slap Bass
- Be precise with thumb attacks.
- Only hit the string you want to sound.
- Muting strings is critical.
- Muted thumb attacks should be struck with the same intensity as sounded notes.
- Pull attacks should not be louder or more intense than thumb attacks.
Can you slap on a jazz bass?
The Jazz is definitely right on for slap! I slapped mine like crazy this past weekend! Just roll your highs off a bit!
What is high action on a bass?
Just in case you’re unfamiliar with the term action, it refers to the distance between the strings and your fretboard. A bass with low action will have strings that are closer to the fretboard, while a bass with high action will have strings that are farther away.
How do you get a strong slap?
Woodchoppers are an excellent way to elevate your slap shot power because “they target the core muscles, which are vital to the transfer of power from the lower body to the upper body and into the puck,” Coghlin notes. Use a medicine ball, dumbbell, or cable attachment to execute the exercise.
What does a slap feel like?
SLAP Symptoms
A locking, popping, catching, or grinding sensation in the shoulder. Pain upon moving the shoulder, or while holding the shoulder in a certain position. Pain while lifting objects, specifically over the head. Feeling like the shoulder is going to pop out of the joint at any time.
What happens if u slap someone?
Slaps Constitute Battery
If someone intentionally slaps you, regardless of the amount of force, and causes you some sort of legally recognizable damage, you can sue him or her for battery.
What does a bass player do when playing slap bass?
Also called “popping,” there are two ways to play the slapped bass technique: one is by slapping the string down with the bony ridge of your finger, and the other is to pluck the string so hard that it slaps against the body of the guitar to produce a smacking sound.
What is slap House?
A “slaphouse” is an illegal gambling business operating inside a home or business. The nickname comes from the sound of players slapping the controls of some of the games which can be heard outside the business.
Can you slap on a 5 string bass?
Despite having an additional low string, it is possible to slap on a 5-string bass. While there are slight differences in slapping a 5-string and a 4-string, multiple professional bassists have used 5 basses for slapping.
When was the first slap recorded?
On their album Caravanserai, recorded in 1972, we find perhaps the earliest known use of the double-thumb slap bass technique, pioneered by Doug Rauch. Now, of course, disco was on the rise in the 1970s, and along with this came slap bass riffs of a new caliber.
Do most bass players use compression?
A bass compressor is easily the most often used effect used by bassists. It’s also one of the most unglamorous effects. If you have a compressor, you will probably always use it as you play.
How do I set my compressor to slap bass?
When setting your ratio, it’s standard to start between 3:1 and 4:1 when compressing bass. It’s a good idea to pull your threshold down so you’re getting tons of compression, then flipping through the ratios and listening closely to how each one impacts the sound.