| Author | Message | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 809 Registered: 9-2008 |
so recently I've really been trying to learn how to play slap bass, I can play a few Primus songs(Frizzle Fry, John the Fisherman, Antipop, and a few others) as well as Higher Ground cover by RHCP and can do pretty simple jams with my drummer at practice. Then I watch videos of guys like Brian Bromberg, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool and THAT'S how I want to play! does anyone know of any good instructional videos on Youtube or can explain how to get better at slap? I can pretty much only do downstrokes and it's harder to "double thumb", any advice on excersises I can do to get better? thanks! ~Taylor | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 368 Registered: 5-2005 |
Alex Sklarevsky has an excellent DVD for slapping. Also the well known book Slap It by Tony Oppenheim is excellent as well. www.bassbooks.com carries both. Good luck! | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1946 Registered: 11-2004 |
As a absolute fan of the technique and Mark King, have a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9ZOSwi8XU and this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQEO55-_tdw Try a paradiddle which is a drummers technique so the exercise is thumb slap slap thumb thumb slap thumb slap thumb = hit strings with the thumb slap = slap the strings with the fretting hand. Use a metronome to keep time Good luck | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 1146 Registered: 1-2005 |
I used to enjoy playing along with CDs and trying to play lines that were originally played with fingers or pick with double-thumping. I remember reading someone saying that when they teach slapping, they require that people listen to Larry Graham. The fancy stuff is cool, but don't forget the groove! I have to say I really like this short performance by Les Claypool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5XeVLJeMdE&list=PL46A7F1398DB1BB58&index=3&feature=plpp_video - I wish it didn't end! | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 369 Registered: 5-2005 |
I love Mark King ("Thunderthumbs"), Marcus (the accent guy), Les Claypool, the incomparable Larry Graham, etc. There are transcriptions of Mark King's bass lines, a 5 volume set now condensed to one book at bassbooks.com. When tastefully done, it is marvelous the musical havoc a talented player can create. There are others that are awesome that I have on the tip of my tongue, and there are a variety of videos and books to study from. Still nothing beats a live teacher. Aaaahhhh Grasshopper! No matter what style of music, we can never forget the groove. | ||
| white_cloud
Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 52 Registered: 6-2010 |
I would suggest that if you are playing Primus songs already you are doing fine and are on the correct path! Also check out Louis Johnson - there is plenty of footage of his 80's tutorials on slap bass on youtube. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10858 Registered: 5-2002 |
It you want to play like Victor Wooten, his Bassday 1998 DVD has some instructional things including the double thumbing and exercises to go with it. | ||
| that_sustain
Junior Username: that_sustain Post Number: 18 Registered: 8-2012 |
Sounds like you're stuck without a pattern. Try slappin' the low E, pulling the D string, then..hammering the higher octave E on the D string. The position dictates the melody. There's a very good bassist named Gustav on youtube who utilizes this method. Tap your foot while doing so. If you can't keep it as steady as you like, use a ticker. That should get you going. take care | ||
| tubeperson
Advanced Member Username: tubeperson Post Number: 370 Registered: 5-2005 |
White Cloud, he (LJ) really helped John Taylor of Duran Duran, and even gave him the BC Rich Eagle that LJ used to record with Le Chic. And yes Victor's video is terrific, the one with Anthony wellington. Also, check out Brian Bromberg's video, he slaps on the big dog as well as electric bass. | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1779 Registered: 7-2007 |
Nice paradiddle example by Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington, they use the modal concept of playing to create "modes of rhythm" (an interesting topic)... and in Monty Python fashion - 1) practice, practice, practice, then practice some more... and when you're totally tired of practicing, go ahead and practice again... then start at number 1) Have fun! Art | ||
| piotr_c
Junior Username: piotr_c Post Number: 41 Registered: 7-2012 |
Art, you have posted the perfect tutoring pattern... I've been practicing this one for a while now, and it still doesn't sound like the video...! Monty Python, here I come ;-)) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1948 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mind you Mark King uses 90 guage(on the E) strings, practice with 100/105 then go to 90's and suddenly you are incredibly fast(as I found out in the 80's) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1949 Registered: 11-2004 |
And on another note, in the first clip he makes the excuse for the sound of his S2 has he has to use a noise gate...I guess his amps were picking up the lighting rig as opposed to his bass |
