How to Slap and Pop Video

[blacklw234]

This was made because of the demand from friends on Youtube. Here it is. I hope this helps those trying to learn this technique. If you thinks this helps let me know so that in the future I can make more how to videos.

Bass Slap and Pop Lesson Number 1

[malthumb]

Blacklw234,

Here's my feedback on your video.

First of all, very good job with that!  Let me go over each of the elements with a focus on how to help you make something that's really good even better.  Some parts of what I say will be opinion / personal preference of how to do something, so feel free to ignore if it doesn't fit where you want to go.

TECHNIQUE. Excellent!  I would suggest you lead with a 10-15 second clip of what the final product should look and sound like.  Sort of the picture on the package that entices people to pick up the box.

INSTRUCTION. Started out strong, wandered a bit, then finished strong.  I loved the part about having your thumb look up at you.  I've been working with my 11 yr old and I have had real difficulty explaining to him how to hold his thumb.  Today he will be introduced to the "thumb looking up at you" approach.  You did a very good job of explaining that the left hand plays the notes, mutes, and does hammer-ons.  You did not explain HOW to mute.  You need to do that, since that is a crucial part of getting the feel and the tone.  As I was watching the video I noticed that in your demonstrations you were doing a lot of hammer-ons and I was thinking "dude, you gotta explain hammer-ons, you gotta explain hammer-ons, you gotta...." then you did.  The point is, I think you realized that that's what you were doing so you went ahead and explained it.  Another reason why I think you would benefit from doing a short piece up front that includes the techniques you intend to cover.

You said you didn't know why hammer-ons are called that, then you explained it perfectly.  Last thing.  You GUARANTEED results in a specific timeframe.  Personally I'd steer shy of such a promise.

Those are just my thoughts.  Very nice video.

[Wesley16]

Nice explanation of slap & pop technique. My problem is with fretting the notes when I try to slap and pop, I
could get that slap & pop sound playing the open strings but when it came time to playing notes, not even
close to how you showed it should be done. I will keep watching this video and practice along with it and after
hmm... one hour a day practicing this technique, I should be better at it. I think I will start again trying to slap
& pop to major scales and see if i can get all the notes sound more clearer this time. Is that a fender american
standard 5'er that you are playing on ? Nice looking bass.

[boutdanotes]

really nice video man.  muting is the toughest thing in the world when slappin!  it even looked like you were doing a double pop with your index and middle finger. am i wrong?

[blacklw234]

Blacklw234,

Here's my feedback on your video.

First of all, very good job with that!  Let me go over each of the elements with a focus on how to help you make something that's really good even better.  Some parts of what I say will be opinion / personal preference of how to do something, so feel free to ignore if it doesn't fit where you want to go.

TECHNIQUE. Excellent!  I would suggest you lead with a 10-15 second clip of what the final product should look and sound like.  Sort of the picture on the package that entices people to pick up the box.

INSTRUCTION. Started out strong, wandered a bit, then finished strong.  I loved the part about having your thumb look up at you.  I've been working with my 11 yr old and I have had real difficulty explaining to him how to hold his thumb.  Today he will be introduced to the "thumb looking up at you" approach.  You did a very good job of explaining that the left hand plays the notes, mutes, and does hammer-ons.  You did not explain HOW to mute.  You need to do that, since that is a crucial part of getting the feel and the tone.  As I was watching the video I noticed that in your demonstrations you were doing a lot of hammer-ons and I was thinking "dude, you gotta explain hammer-ons, you gotta explain hammer-ons, you gotta...." then you did.  The point is, I think you realized that that's what you were doing so you went ahead and explained it.  Another reason why I think you would benefit from doing a short piece up front that includes the techniques you intend to cover.

You said you didn't know why hammer-ons are called that, then you explained it perfectly.  Last thing.  You GUARANTEED results in a specific timeframe.  Personally I'd steer shy of such a promise.

Those are just my thoughts.  Very nice video.

Malthumb,

Yo thanks for the feedback. That was exactly what I was looking for. I think you are right on with your feed back. In terms of needing a 10-15 second prelude of what it should sound like. Also I did start to wander a bit. The next time I do a "how to" video, this feedback will definitely make it better. Thanks for the positive feedback as well. You rock man!!!!

Nice explanation of slap & pop technique. My problem is with fretting the notes when I try to slap and pop, I
could get that slap & pop sound playing the open strings but when it came time to playing notes, not even
close to how you showed it should be done. I will keep watching this video and practice along with it and after
hmm... one hour a day practicing this technique, I should be better at it. I think I will start again trying to slap
& pop to major scales and see if i can get all the notes sound more clearer this time. Is that a fender american
standard 5'er that you are playing on ? Nice looking bass.

Yes Wesley, I think that is a common problem with many bass players new or seasoned players. But as I state in the video, Practice. Anything that you become proficient in will take some practice. If you work at it you will get better. Yes it is a Fender Jazz MIM Active. Thanks for the comment.

really nice video man.  muting is the toughest thing in the world when slappin!  it even looked like you were doing a double pop with your index and middle finger. am i wrong?

Boutdanotes, Muting comes with practice. However, if this becomes a common theme amongst fellow LGM'ers, I can make a video and sort of explain it the best way I can. Its one of those topics about the bass that the best way to explain doing it is by telling you to practice. Because its kind of a unconcious maneuver when playing and it comes from just playing and playing and playing. Sorry to sound repetitive. Thanks for the comments.

[malthumb]

A number of muting techniques out there.  You'll probably use multiple techniques in several situations.  It's usually hard to explain verbally, but I'll give it a shot.

Muting Open Strings That You Are Not Playing (B string is the worst). I usually allow the tip of one of the fingers I am not fretting with to touch the side of the string that I need to silence.  B strings are notorious for ringing when you aren't playing any notes on it.  So if I am, for example, playing a G on the E string with my middle finger, I'll let the tip of my index finger touch the B string to keep it still.  Sometimes I'll change my left hand grip on the neck to allow me to use either my index or middle finger to still the lower two strings (B and E on a 5-string, E and A on a 4).

Thumping a Ghost Note. Just don't press the note all the way down to the fingerboard.  If you are thumping the G on the E string and want it to be a ghost note, thump it with your right thumb.  Only press the third fret about halfway to 3/4 of the way down.  Enough to note ring a harmonic, but not enough to actually voice the note.

Quelling Sustain. I typically use my right palm to still all the strings that I want to mute.  The right palm is also useful to mute the lower strings when you are playing the higher strings.

Hope that helps.

Peace,

James

[fluteminstrel]

first time i have ever had anyone explain it like that made it alot easier to practice slap and pop now thanks

[berbie]

Man, that's a great slap and pop tutorial.