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How to Play Slap Bass: A Beginner’s Guide

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Do you want to learn how to play slap bass? If you’re a beginner, it can be a little tricky to get started. In this article, we will teach you the basics of how to play slap bass correctly. We’ll go over how to hold the instrument, how to make basic strokes, and how to create a good slap sound. With a little practice, you’ll be slapping along with the best of them!

Proper slap bass technique is one of the most debated topics in all of bass playing.

There are hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of threads in online discussion forums as well as YouTube video after YouTube video that all claim to offer the best technique.

But what actually is the best way to slap?

How to slap bass for beginners – A summary

If you don’t have time to read a long(ish) slap bass article then here’s a quick summary of slap technique.

In 3 simple steps, the slap bass technique is…

  1. Place hand on the bass so your thumb runs parallel to the strings
  2. To slap, rotate your hand in so the edge of your thumb hits the string
  3. To pop, hook the edge of your index finger underneath the string and rotate away

This can be much easier to understand once you see it so be sure to check out this video demo.

Where To Learn Slap Bass Online – Slap Techniques Volume 1 Online Course

Bass playing is all about feeling the groove and laying down a solid foundation for the rest of the band. And there’s no better way to get that groove going than with some slapping!

With Slap Techniques Volume 1, you’ll learn everything you need to know to get started with this essential bass technique. The course features 7 HD video lessons, over 35 exercises in full TAB and notation, and play-a-long backing tracks. You’ll start with the basics and work your way up to more advanced concepts, so you can really make your bass playing stand out.

So whether you’re just getting started with slap technique or you’re looking to take your playing to the next level, Slap Techniques Volume 1 is the perfect resource. Get ready to lay down some serious grooves!

Thumb, Pull and Muted Notes

Many will say that the “flea” technique (named after the bassist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers) is the best method. And this was the method that I used growing up.

But over the course of my studies, I found that this technique has some serious limitations.

Just quickly for anyone who’s not familiar with either technique, the Flea technique utilises a hand position that has the thumb pointing down and going across the strings. A quick google search will help you get a clear image of this hand position.

The bony joint of the thumb (just below the nail) is used to slap the string and the tips of the index and middle fingers are used for pop strokes.

Typically, the Flea technique works best for bass players that have their basses at a lower height. The hand position needed for the Flea technique needs a lower bass to ensure a good shoulder position.

The Marcus technique, by contrast, is better with the bass higher up. The hand position has the thumb running almost parallel to the strings with the outside of the thumb (again just below the nail) used for slap strokes and this time the inside edges of the index and middle fingers used for pop strokes.

Again, if you’re having trouble picturing this hand position then a quick google search will help you out.

As we’ll discuss later on, the Flea technique is problematic if you want to learn advanced slap techniques like double thumbing.

But, when compared to something like the Marcus Miller style technique (a form of which most great slap players adopt) the Flea technique also makes us fall into a technique trap.

Avoiding Technique Traps

Let me explain what that trap is and why getting out of it matters.

The technique trap I’m referring to is actually a mentality.

When most students learn basic slap, they notice that all the basic strokes like the pop stroke, the slap stroke and so on, can all be performed with either the Marcus style technique or the Flea technique.

This leads them to say “well if you can do it either way and I happen to use the Flea technique then why should I change? The technique isn’t important and I can just do what works for me”.

I can see why they say it but here’s the problem.

What happens when it no longer works for you?

As it turns out, the Flea technique often works against bass players from the start.

When performing a slap stroke the Flea technique will have your thumb contact the string but then the hand position forces you to leave the thumb in place hovering over the string.

This opens up the possibility that the string will rebound off the neck, touch the thumb and the sound will be slightly muted resulting in a sound that’s less powerful.

The second big problem is that quickly changing between slap and pop strokes is so much harder with the Flea technique.

Using the Flea technique you’ll see your whole hand rotate as you play a slap stroke. But this means your fingers will rotate too. And the hand position coupled with the rotation will move your fingers away from the strings they should be plucking.

The bass guitar slap technique here is actually making you work harder and probably play worse.

So how are things different with the Marcus technique?

Why The “Marcus” Technique Is So Good

Let’s go in reverse order.

First of all, it’s much more ergonomic for both slap and pop strokes.

The thumb and fingers are both parallel to the strings they need to play so they have less distance to travel and will also stay closer to them at all times.

But second is the fact that, because the Marcus technique requires a subtly different slap stroke technique, it actually creates a fuller and more powerful sound.

Rather than having the thumb strike into the string, the Marcus technique requires the thumb to brush down and across the face of the string and almost go through it.

This helps the string vibrate because the direction the string moves in is much closer to being parallel to the surface of the neck rather than actually down into it.

But this slap technique also means that your thumb can either rebound off the string or go through it and rest on the string below.

Either eventuality means that, unlike the Flea technique, your thumb is clear of the vibrating string and won’t run the risk of muting it unintentionally.

But what about all the advanced stuff? Why can’t the Flea technique be used for double thumbing or lots of fast double plucks?

Simply, the hand position doesn’t allow for the movements involved.

Let’s take double thumbing as an example.

This technique requires both and down and up stroke with the thumb. It’s very similar to the motion of using a plectrum.

Now, if you think about the hand position you adopt when playing with a pick and the angle that you hold the pick at in relation to the strings you’ll notice that the hand position is similar to the Marcus technique and not Flea, and you’ll also see that the angle of the pick is parallel to the strings.

In my view, this is best when playing bass guitar slap.

The Flea technique has the thumb going across the strings rather than parallel to them so in order to double thumb you’d have to change your hand position anyway.

So why not just use the Marcus technique the whole time?

The best thing is to try the Marcus technique out and learn from experience.

I’ve done numerous YouTube videos on this technique as well as a short beginner’s course which you’re welcome to check out.

But I’m sure you’ll see that even with a bit of experience, the Marcus technique is better, more versatile and it can also be learned by any bass player of any ability level.

Beginner Slap Bass Technique Video Lesson Playlist

Learn Slap Bass Online

If you want to learn slap bass through an online course then check out my Slap Techniques Volume 1 online bass course.

It’s ideal for beginners, features several HD video tutorials, comes with full TAB and notation, is a great step on the way to learning slap bass songs, has several bonuses and backing tracks and using the link above, you can get a large discount.

Slap Bass FAQ’s

Is slap bass difficult?

Playing slap bass is not difficult in the sense that it takes a lot of skill or dexterity. It’s more about learning how to slap bass guitar and do the techniques correctly and then practicing properly. Follow the steps in this article and you’ll get there!

How do you slap bass better?

Learning the proper technique and practicing with good exercises will help. So will taking a course or having lessons with a private teacher.

Who is the best bass slapper?

There’s no definitive answer to this. Everyone has their own opinion but a lot of people like the slap bass playing of Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten and Mark King.

Does slapping a bass hurt?

Whilst it’s a physical technique, no, it shouldn’t hurt when you play slap bass.

How do you practice slap bass?

Take lessons through a course or private teacher. They will help you get a good slap sound, learn the proper technique and teach you how to practice.

How do you get better at slapping bass?

Learn the parts of the technique to start with like the thumb slap and popping technique and then move on to playing simple exercises and bass lines to solidify the technique.

Which bass should I buy for slapping?

Which are the best slap bass guitars is really a matter of preference. It’s best to try a few out and then see which ones you like best.

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2 responses to “How to Play Slap Bass: A Beginner’s Guide”

  1. Evane Avatar
    Evane

    Hi,this information has helped me a lot thanks,I will use it wisely

    1. admin Avatar

      Glad this helped!

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