Pete Academy

I think Mark King inadverdently introduced the drum-rudiment based slap style to players, especially following his appearance on the the Tube TV programme in the 80s. It was truly great at the time.

[quote name='urb' post='1046823' date='Dec 3 2010, 09:08 PM']I agree - I love really well played slap that is both groovy and melodic - w***ing away in E is easy compared with stuff like this: It's just another technique that can be used and abused just like any other - Kai Eckhardt is also another master of melodic slap/groove stuff that sounds great and totally groovy as well: This is particularly beautiful Hope you enjoy... no need for more ranting! Cheers Mike[/quote] Great post.

I love slap bass. I was introduced to it with Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, Louis Johnson, etc. in the 70s. It's a style that sets the bass guitar apart from other instruments. However, I also hate the machine gun, slap-in-E-playing. Believe me, I've heard plenty of this in my time. Melodic slap bass, though, is awesome. Marcus is the king with tracks such as 'Run For Cover'. Listen to Pops Popwell's playing on the Crusaders album 'Those Southern Knights' and Louis Johnson on the early Brothers Johnson albums and Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall'. His slap break on 'Stomp' is a still an unbeatable classic, and makes the song. The slap playing on Bernard Wright's classic 'Nard' debut album is all melodic. Victor Wooten is often accused of overdoing it, but 'You Can't Hold No Groove' and 'Me And My Bass Guitar' are amazing. Flea's bassline on 'Aeroplane' is a classic melodic part. Don't judge the overall style by the YouTube bedroom show offs.

I remember way back when Argos started selling guitars. The music shops were pissed off with Yamaha, Fender etc for supplying them. If you broke a string on your guitar, Argos would simply replace the whole package. Frustrating, but there's nothing we can do about this. There are some people that are wary of going into a music store because they feel intimidated, so they feel safer in Argos.

Amazing clip.

[quote name='Neko' post='1045587' date='Dec 2 2010, 08:18 PM']I think Home Bargains tops all the above...£13 for a beginner acoustic guitar set. I had to be dragged away to stop me from talking two elderly people out of buying it!! Could've cried...[/quote]

Another great clip. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx2lza1Rb0U&NR=1"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx2lza1Rb0U&NR=1[/url]

This guy is probably one if the most unsung bassists around. This short demo of his custom-built archtop bass demonstrates his mastery. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BpmY9MKPk8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BpmY9MKPk8[/url] Super melodic and a great groove.

As previously mentioned, it's mainly in the fingers. First and foremost I would work on technique.

[quote name='bluesparky' post='1044085' date='Dec 1 2010, 05:36 PM']Personally i've tried a few techniques which aren't what i normally do and i have different opinions. I play fingerstyle 95% of the time with a bit of slap thrown in when the song needs it. double thumbing - played around with it at home and quickly realised i'll never use it in anger tapping - i've noodle around with it and come up with some nice stuff and it's fun to do, but again i'll never use it in anger. I did once, years ago for a very specific thing, but haven't since. Playing with a pick - it's something i feel that i need to keep practicing, only because i feel that certain songs do require it, just as certain songs may require a certain effect or tone. Fretless - Never really tried it, i dabbled with upright at college but realised i didn't have a passion for it as i do for electric bass so stopped. 3 finger right hand - i injured my middle finger on my right hand ages ago so i used my ring and index finger, when my middle finger was back in action i played with 3 fingers for a while, but as i wasn't playing hemi-demi-semi-quavers at 160 BPM i reverted back to using index and middle. I've settled for the fact that as i use 45's - 125's and have quite a high action, i'll not master the tuned machine gun slap sound, nor playing a million notes at a million miles an hour so i don't use the limited practice time i do have trying to get faster, nail the complex techniques or sound like Victor etc. After playing for 20 years i've reached a bit of a technical plateau, which i modestly think is quite a high standard, but realise i don't NEED to be able to play like the superheros. I try spend the time trying to keep in time, learning songs and becoming more musical.[/quote] This pretty much sums up my style. I started slap bass in the 70s and prefer a more melodic style. I love Mark King but I can't play that 'machine gun' style. I think I'm going to get a pick out again.

I think this is amazing. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISttAlzQTuQ&NR=1"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISttAlzQTuQ&NR=1[/url]

Bobby Vega uses a plec and sounds awesome. He can play any style but when he plays with a pick it's as funky as hell.

[quote name='daz' post='1042871' date='Nov 30 2010, 08:14 PM']Its more difficult id say. Practically any strum will hit a chord or harmonic sound. try that on a bass.[/quote] +1

[quote name='Spoombung' post='1042861' date='Nov 30 2010, 08:10 PM']It is.[/quote] Maybe so.

I started on plectrum, but as most players were playing without one, I thought it wasn't cool, and learned fingerstyle. Having seen Bobby Vega using one - and replicating Rocco's basslines when he stood in for Tower Of Power - I suddenly think it's cool again.

Selling basses, the most common thing I hear is: 'I've been told it's easier than playing guitar'

Prompted by Bubinga's thread on Bobby Vega, I looked at a few Youtube vids of him. I've always admired him, but I found his mastery of plectrum style really inspiring. I play a conventional slap style and keep trying double-thumbing, but then can't be bothered. Do you ever feel like you want to explore different playing techniques but haven't got the inclination or patience to do so? Or are you happy with how you are?

Check this out: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol8d0dgIflA&NR=1"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol8d0dgIflA&NR=1[/url]

Bobby Vega is a great player.

Definitely sounds like you're hitting the pickup.

Afrika Bambaataa featuring Bootsy and Clinton. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO42QSzL7-A"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO42QSzL7-A[/url]

Classic Graham Central Station track, featuring Voice Tube and slap envelope filter. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMcqo_2xMrY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMcqo_2xMrY[/url]

I use a 5 for live gigs and use the low B quite a lot. I love playing 4 string, though.

This is the second month in a row my issue is late.

[quote name='Doddy' post='1039208' date='Nov 27 2010, 07:36 PM']Eh? Who is and why? It seems pretty unnecessary[/quote] Agreed.