easy print version
Over the years I have conducted countless bass clinics and taught a ton of private lessons and master classes. When it comes to the area of slapping the bass, there is a common problem that I have seen over and over again, which is poor right hand slapping technique.
Fortunately, it is very easy to show players a few things that will dramatically improve their slapping.
What constitutes poor right hand slapping technique? Usually it boils down to an inefficient thumb and pop mechanical action. Many beginning players will thumb a note, then raise their right hand back up and reach back down again to pop a string. They are using two hand movements to perform the two techniques. By using this extraneous action a player will never create smooth sounding slap lines, and will have tremendous problems playing rapid slap and pop grooves. To improve your right hand slapping technique, we need to first analyze your basic hand shape. A good right hand slapping shape should resemble the hand shape that you use when you reach out to shake someone's hand (figure 1 @ right). This hand position will make it easier for you to simplify your slap/pop motion (figure 2 below shows this position from a top view).
In simple terms, you thumb a string when your hands move down and you pluck a string when your hand moves back up. Click the movie link at the right for an mpeg clip with sound.
This detailed description may seem unnecessary to you, but that probably means that you already utilize an efficient right hand slapping technique. However, if the technique that I have described above is new to you, then it will also seem awkward, but be patient. If you can get a good grip on it, you will be able to play smoother and faster than ever before.
As always, I want you to email me if you have questions regarding this lesson. Also, please let me know of other lessons that you would like to see in the future. That's right: I take requests!
Stay Tuned!
Now we will isolate the hand movement needed to efficiently slap and pop the bass. Starting with our "handshake" hand form, we move our hand towards the strings and strike the E-string with the joint of our thumb. As your thumb makes contact with the string, your index finger (or middle finger, if you prefer) should simultaneously slip under the G-string. Now, as you raise your hand away from the strings, you can easily pluck the G-string.
