Thank you Scott. I have heard of left hand slap, from YOUR videos ! I’ve been following your videos, and they are a breakthrough for me. This video just made me realize my left hand has been rigid. So I’m now training myself to be floppy !
I've never been that comfortable with Slap Bass. I started out with a plectrum, then used my fingers. Back 30 odd years ago no one knew about setting up a bass so you could have it low enough to slap with some fluidity. Your left hand slap explains a lot , Scott
That's a great point! When I started out I fumbled my way to working out how to level the frets and set everything up nicely. As you say - many didn't pay that sort of attention, especially to basses
I saw one of your earlier vids on this and I ended up getting a hammer on sound. It is great that you realise how likely that is to arise and accounted for it here. I figured out by trial and error a way to get a good thump. Two fingers across two strings. Initially I was only using one finger on one string and couldn't get any thump volume. When I applied more force I got the hammer on sound.
A huge learning step for me was the realisation that both hands created the sound (and the speed) of slap. Once you get this down, it’s a great feeling. A great (loud) amp also helps bring out that sound of the fretting hand slap - that takes this to another level IMO; however, it doesn’t inhibit practicing quietly to get the strength up in that fretting hand slap🎸🎸🎸
Love your tone! great little tutorial, this is why I enjoy your video content, it's straight to the point, easy to understand and not show boating but demoing what you actually teach 😎🎸🎶
It’s worth mentioning that there are at least two schools of slap bass - what I call the ‘Larry Graham school’, where all of the rhythmic work is done with the thumb (Marcus Miller is another in this style - great for hip-hop and heavy funk), and the ‘Louis Johnson school’, where the rhythm is shared between the two hands, as you describe here (Mark King is obviously another who uses this style, since it works well for disco and lighter funk).
@@TheShamansQuestion Oh, Flea’s an interesting case. I think he falls somewhere between the two. Here’s a video of him explaining his technique, and as he points out, he has his own way of doing it. When he demonstrates the single string thumping early on in the video, you can clearly see his left hand fingers tapping the strings between his thumb strikes, which is the second school I mentioned. However, later in, when he demonstrates his ‘octaves up and down the neck’ warm-up exercise, you’ll see that the left hand fingers are static and all the rhythm is coming from his right hand. So, as with most things, it’s never black and white: individual players mix and match individual elements of the different styles to suit their personal taste and music. ruclips.net/video/En1U1P9di64/видео.html
Hi Scott. Great vid. Very clear. But I play a short scale with flat wounds mostly and can't get the sound. I know you play short scale. What strings and set up do you need for slap?
Hi Fred - thank you re the video! Even if you get something resembling a thump, even if softer or darker in tone, it will still work well. My usual choice of strings is GHS steel round wound strings. I love flats too but obviously the rounds sound brighter. Hope that helps a little, Scott.
Scott did it again! If you are not just using your thumps for bass playing and slapping: thumps up for Scott and his SECRET Left Hand Slap Bass Technique. My thumps are up anyway.
It's the bit so many struggle the most with - you're not alone. My advice is always to err on the side of a quiet muted sound if you find you're getting actual notes coming out.
Thank you Scott. I have heard of left hand slap, from YOUR videos ! I’ve been following your videos, and they are a breakthrough for me. This video just made me realize my left hand has been rigid. So I’m now training myself to be floppy !
Someones been working hard on production! 👍
Thanks, Pat for spotting that. :)
I've never been that comfortable with Slap Bass. I started out with a plectrum, then used my fingers. Back 30 odd years ago no one knew about setting up a bass so you could have it low enough to slap with some fluidity. Your left hand slap explains a lot , Scott
That's a great point! When I started out I fumbled my way to working out how to level the frets and set everything up nicely. As you say - many didn't pay that sort of attention, especially to basses
I had never heard of left hand slaps and had never heard of the SWBL channel either, but i subbed and you will now have me around! Thank you! Cheers!
Many thanks, Simon - great to have you here. :)
Scott.
I saw one of your earlier vids on this and I ended up getting a hammer on sound. It is great that you realise how likely that is to arise and accounted for it here. I figured out by trial and error a way to get a good thump. Two fingers across two strings. Initially I was only using one finger on one string and couldn't get any thump volume. When I applied more force I got the hammer on sound.
A huge learning step for me was the realisation that both hands created the sound (and the speed) of slap. Once you get this down, it’s a great feeling.
A great (loud) amp also helps bring out that sound of the fretting hand slap - that takes this to another level IMO; however, it doesn’t inhibit practicing quietly to get the strength up in that fretting hand slap🎸🎸🎸
Thanks. You really rock!!! Cheers from Portugal!
Thank you Rui - much appreciated!
Scott.
Love your tone! great little tutorial, this is why I enjoy your video content, it's straight to the point, easy to understand and not show boating but demoing what you actually teach 😎🎸🎶
Thanks rastanz for the kind words!
Scott.
Scott what brand of bass are you using???
Never mind the bass playing Scott, the new style intro and videos have gone up a level 👍
Thanks for noticing Fred...a lot of hard work going on here! Cheers, Scott.
@@ScottWhitley Jan…it’s Mike not Fred 😉😄👍
@@mikebuick2332 So sorry lol.........no idea where my brain was at? Cheers, Scott.
Wow ace brother. Remember if it sounds good it is good 👍 pure talent act its best top drawer from start to finish brother lv yah
Thanks a million!! Very kind mate. :)
It’s worth mentioning that there are at least two schools of slap bass - what I call the ‘Larry Graham school’, where all of the rhythmic work is done with the thumb (Marcus Miller is another in this style - great for hip-hop and heavy funk), and the ‘Louis Johnson school’, where the rhythm is shared between the two hands, as you describe here (Mark King is obviously another who uses this style, since it works well for disco and lighter funk).
Great comment, Karl. Thanks for sharing. It's great fun to sometimes NOT fill in all the 16ths and play like those guys. Kinda harder too.
Thanks for this. Good for enriching my knowledge. Would you say Flea is in the second school?
@@TheShamansQuestion Oh, Flea’s an interesting case. I think he falls somewhere between the two. Here’s a video of him explaining his technique, and as he points out, he has his own way of doing it. When he demonstrates the single string thumping early on in the video, you can clearly see his left hand fingers tapping the strings between his thumb strikes, which is the second school I mentioned. However, later in, when he demonstrates his ‘octaves up and down the neck’ warm-up exercise, you’ll see that the left hand fingers are static and all the rhythm is coming from his right hand. So, as with most things, it’s never black and white: individual players mix and match individual elements of the different styles to suit their personal taste and music.
ruclips.net/video/En1U1P9di64/видео.html
@@KarlClews Thanks for such a thorough response! I've seen this video before so will be great to look at with fresh information now :)
Hi Scott. Great vid. Very clear. But I play a short scale with flat wounds mostly and can't get the sound. I know you play short scale. What strings and set up do you need for slap?
Hi Fred - thank you re the video!
Even if you get something resembling a thump, even if softer or darker in tone, it will still work well.
My usual choice of strings is GHS steel round wound strings. I love flats too but obviously the rounds sound brighter.
Hope that helps a little,
Scott.
🔥Download the free PDF Worksheet: 👇👇👇
www.scottwhitleybasslessons.com/SECRET-Left-Hand-Slap-Bass-Technique
The link doesn’t work Scott 😢
@@Dougsegal www.scottwhitleybasslessons.com/SECRET-Left-Hand-Slap-Bass-Technique
Sincere apologies - fixed now!
COOL
Scott did it again! If you are not just using your thumps for bass playing and slapping: thumps up for Scott and his SECRET Left Hand Slap Bass Technique. My thumps are up anyway.
tanx
Bass lesson?
Yes, sure ...but still, your right hand thumb goes about with sheer rapid fire, doesn't it
Not as much as it looks, Paolo.
@@ScottWhitley well, all is relative innit
I guess so - But if you check out slap bassics one from years ago, I actually isolate what thumb is doing. I'll grab the link, Paolo.
Here you go, Paolo:
ruclips.net/video/GObmwIYwnMQ/видео.html
@@ScottWhitley thanks Scott, 10 years already eh ! ...sometimes half as fast is still fast, like for instance Isle of Man motorbike speeds 🤣
I still suck at this
It's the bit so many struggle the most with - you're not alone. My advice is always to err on the side of a quiet muted sound if you find you're getting actual notes coming out.
@@ScottWhitley Quiet and muted So gaffa tape over my gob next time, see if it helps with funkiness. Shall do.
@@SuperSquark Haha!