why so much slap?

[LawrenceH]

Something largely overlooked is slap being unusual in that it's more straightforward to play something in that style that sounds 'complete' on its own. A lot of bass lines need rhymthic and/or melodic context to appreciate them, whereas slap incorporates more of the role of the drums and you often get a kind of counterpoint between low and high within a single part. So a solo video makes more sense.
Mind you, the best slap parts are IMO those where rhythmic context in relation to the rest of the band is everything, which is why I can't see the point in slap with metal.

Edited May 27, 2011 by LawrenceH

[Doddy]

[quote name='LawrenceH' post='1247297' date='May 27 2011, 04:26 PM']Something largely overlooked is slap being unusual in that it's more straightforward to play something in that style that sounds 'complete' on its own. A lot of bass lines need rhymthic and/or melodic context to appreciate them, whereas slap incorporates more of the role of the drums and you often get a kind of counterpoint between low and high within a single part. So a solo video makes more sense.[/quote]

Unfortunately though,when slapping a lot of players seem to lose all of their harmonic ability and stick to
root,octave,minor 7 patterns.

[crez5150]

Could be worse... Loads of videos of pick playing ;0)

[TomKent]

I was and attender of the London Slap Show 2011, which really was.. the London Slap Show. It's just a cool thing people like to do, my videos consist of both, however I do [b]love[/b] playing slap.

[Ross]

Can't stand slap play mainly fingerstyle with 3 fingers, occasional tapping.
I can slap ok but strangely can't play with a pick, I've had the same pick for 7/8 years now, thats how rarely I play with a pick.
Speed and dynamics just seem infinitely more difficult if I can't feel the strings.

Edited May 27, 2011 by Ross

[Austin7]

[quote name='crez5150' post='1247327' date='May 27 2011, 03:53 PM']Could be worse... Loads of videos of pick playing ;0)[/quote]


You mean like these?


[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TehFZ38kt6o"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TehFZ38kt6o[/url]


[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3zW0W8h1g"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD3zW0W8h1g[/url]


[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR0SMNeik7w&feature=fvst"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR0SMNeik7w&feature=fvst[/url]


[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC6D2N4nylg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC6D2N4nylg[/url]

Edited May 27, 2011 by Austin7

[chrismuzz]

+1 on the love for Ed Friedland

Slap bass seems very gimmicky to me. I don't hate it, I just hate when it's overused, or used inappropriately. Sadly this is often!

[skej21]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1247277' date='May 27 2011, 04:12 PM']Would Flea's riff in Aeroplane sound better played fingerstyle?[/quote]

Not sure... it would have to be played well both ways first, so people could make a decision

*oops, I didn't see that 'Don't Feed The Troll' sign... nevermind

Back to the topic. I like slap done well, but the stereotypical 'RHCP - Higher Ground' root-octave stuff bores me senseless. Flea is a fantastic bass player when he plays fingerstyle!

Edited May 27, 2011 by skej21

[Spike Vincent]

[quote name='Pete Academy' post='1247264' date='May 27 2011, 04:03 PM']Ah, the neverending slap debate.

The word is 'taste'.[/quote]


No,the word is sh*te.

[risingson]

Slap was 'of its time', it was a great means of bridging the gap of rhythm and harmony when funk was big and it got done to death by some really superb players. Unfortunately nowadays a lot of the use of slap (not all) is so conceited, and it's taken on this role of being the only way bass guitars can be demo'ed in music stores around the world. It's part of the reason why I'd be reluctant to go to somewhere like NAMM or where ever.

Maybe this is all just because I'm more interested in hearing bass as part of an ensemble of other instruments being played together and in the current climate slap is totally unpopular. I'm not averse to it either; my favourite slap players are Nathan Watts, Freddie Washington and some Louis Johnson because they made it fit into their music so well and it works for the tunes they played on. But hearing the same old slap riffs in E is just totally uninteresting to me. I understand they'll be plenty of people that will disagree with this of course.

[chrismuzz]

Hearing Marcus Miller do a slap version of Teen Town was pretty interesting though to be fair!

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1247644' date='May 27 2011, 10:20 PM']No,the word is sh*te.[/quote]

That's a very blinkered view. I may be wrong, but I would hazard a guess you can't play in that style.

[4000]

Ah, the haters. Don't you just love 'em?

[Pete Academy]

[quote name='4000' post='1247657' date='May 27 2011, 10:31 PM']Ah, the haters. Don't you just love 'em? [/quote]

[BassPimp66]

Nothing makes me happier than slapping on a set of new strings.
I love slap. I use it moderately though...

[phil.i.stein]

perhaps, 'why so many threads about slap' ?.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

some like, some don't, some indifferent etc.

[hillbilly deluxe]

If it wasnt for slap,where would the bass hate be aimed ? i dont search youtube very often,but does universalrenote own the bass wing of youtube ? does paapakobe have to review every cr4p bass to his girlfriend ?

[crez5150]

Mark King or Flea?

[Fat Rich]

[quote name='crez5150' post='1247888' date='May 28 2011, 07:52 AM']Mark King or Flea?[/quote]

Flee.

Edit: Sorry, misunderstood the question.

[steve-bbb]

hmmmm now where to start ..... its got to be the bass equivalent of 6/7 string metallllllll widdling? isnt it? i mean why do it iin the first place - very few can pull it off convincingly (small pun in there) and even the greast VW himself can become a tad boring and tiresome when he goes into one

in the right place and in good measure it can be pretty amazing - check out the live version of stanley clarke and george duke playing [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEnHp2xKWdk"]silly putty[/url] very restrained without all the ungainly mark king thrashing around stuff (poor sound quality tho!)

[steve-bbb]

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIHrdLwa_y8&"]gonna funk you right on up[/url]

Edited May 28, 2011 by steve-bbb

[dub]

Good one steve, I love bootsy.
I wasn't wanting to start anything negative about slap bass I was just curious about the youtube phenomenon.
Go in peace bass brethren.

[LawrenceH]

I don't see a problem with slap bass not incorporating complex harmonic exploration - that's not what funk's about! That's JAZZ-funk. 'Jazz's deformed cousin' in the words of Vince Noir.
Complex harmonic exploration never got anyone's booty shaking, ever. Love that Bootsy vid, not seen that one before!

[MythSte]

[quote name='Machines' post='1247150' date='May 27 2011, 02:36 PM']+1. Ed is an absolutely legend, I've messaged him before to thank him for no BS in his reviews.[/quote]

I always have ed friedland in mind whenever I review a bass. I want to hear how versatile it is tonally and then pick my favorite/necessary tones from there.

[bubinga5]

[quote name='MythSte' post='1248712' date='May 28 2011, 09:59 PM']I always have ed friedland in mind whenever I review a bass. I want to hear how versatile it is tonally and then pick my favorite/necessary tones from there.[/quote]
i always love his reviews M.. very comprehensive and with a hint of humour.. if there was anyone who i wanted to review a bass for me, its that man