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More Slap Basics

Technique Intermediate 1 min read

Updated

Right-hand slap form on bass works best with one constant reference point: the double-thumb position. Because double-thumb requires the thumb at a specific angle to the string for a clean upstroke, building the standard thumb slap around that same angle minimizes excess motion and makes switching between the two feel seamless.

Originally published June 7, 2013, lightly edited for clarity.

As with all the techniques I use in my bass playing, I work to organize my right hand slap form to operate with as little excess motion as possible. To do this as I change from a standard thumb position to a double thumb position, I basically let the double thumb position be the constant that everything else works around. This is because the double thumb technique needs the right hand thumb to be at certain angle to the string to get an effective upstroke. It’s a little more difficult for developing the standard thumb technique, but the advantages of both working together have made it worth it for me. The following video shows how these positions work together. Slap is one of the styles I teach. For coaching on your slap technique, online bass lessons via Zoom are available.

  1. Right-Hand Form for 5-String Bass

    Technique Intermediate 5 min read

    The extra string on a 5-string bass makes string noise your biggest enemy, and clean playing depends almost entirely on your right hand. Here's how to set up your thumb, finger mechanics, and left-hand damping so the strings you aren't playing stay quiet — plus three exercises to drill the form on open strings.

  2. Left Hand Form

    Technique Beginner 2 min read

    I look at technique as simply the process of getting the music you hear in your head out through your hands onto the instrument. You only need enough technique to play what you hear. This post walks through the left-hand default position — the most relaxed place your hand can sit — and how to practice from there.

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