Hearing Mark King with Level 42 first time in the early 80s was sort of a revelation for me. 😮 Mark started off as a drummer before picking up the bass, and that‘s what slapping really is: a fusion of bass and percussion. 🎉
Wow 63 years old. Tried to learn slap but life got in the way early in life and had to put the Bass aside. Sold my old Fender and that was life. Came across your video surfing RUclips and wow again, I wish I had this when I was young. Thanks for sharing your art and passion. Cheers
Thanks for the great video. As a gigging bassist it took me a while tonunderstand that slap bass has its place: 50% at home, 20% at the soundcheck and 2% during the actual performance. 😁
I've been playing for 42 years and have bought a lot of music books and watched a lot of videos and this is by far the best video I've ever seen. Thank you!!! I am now following your channel !!!
Marcus Miller created some great bass lines on many Luther Vandross classic ballads using thumping (slap) and plucking. It's definitely an artform that takes a very skilled and disciplined musician to properly employ.
Where have you been all my life?! I've searched bass tutorials for the past year that I've been trying to step up my bass game and only now you've randomly showed up in my feed, and I'm glad it did! I really enjoyed how in your other slap video, you broke down the techniques from super simple, and slowly went up to more complicated ones. Other videos I've watched didn't quite do that. Really enjoying your content so far, and looking forward to more.
Thank you for your great teaching style. Straightforward - & you include so many stylistic hints. I’m new to bass but having a great time. You inspire me to keep at it!
Great video! One tip for new bassists here. If you're finding that no matter how hard you come down, your hammer-ons aren't producing much, if any, sound, your bass' action (the distance between your strings and fretboard) may be too high. Consider taking it to a professional for an adjustment.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge … lately I’ve been drawn to bass guitar … not sure if it’s because I’m older (in my 60s now) or I just realized how much I love R&B, jazz and gospel … it’s December 2024, but in 2025 I think I’m gonna pick up the bass guitar and learn to play it (watching your videos, of course) … and you are the inspiration for that … I like your teaching style … your overall vibe as a human being … and of course you as a great bass player. Just wanted to comment and let you know and thank you again for your past videos and your future ones - I look forward to them. As yes, I have subscribed to your channel!
One of the hardest tunes for me to slap on has always been "Lessons In Love" by Level 42. I have no idea how Mark King just keeps that thumb going consistently with the synth bass!
Yo bro, the stuff you're teaching show you're a mature musician and they all make good musical sense. It's seldom that a guru like yourself come by conveniently to demonstrate these content appropriately. Keep it up man. You're doing alright!
Great video Travis! I've been slapping since the 90s and I can confirm for new players: • practicing SLOW is crucial. You'll be surprised how quickly you will get your speed up by starting every new technique slow and clean • you absolutely will irritate the snot out of everyone within earshot when you practice slapping. That's just how it goes.
Yo, thanks for showing me how to get into the world of kings like Victor and Marcus. I've watched so many of their videos all the way from Ethiopia, and it's sick that you've given me a way to groove just like them.
Thank you! Your videos are very helpful. I play in a sort of classic rock jam band that wants to get more funky and this is going to help me a lot. Much appreciated.
Hi Travis, I think not only the right strings add to your tone, but I think string height and action has a lot to do with overall tone. I find these two are not even talked about or mention on some of the slap videos online.😊
Hey Man i wanna thank you for all the craaazy good content you deliver here free for us!🤯 You are a Killer Bass Player and definetly one of the nicest Bass teachers on RUclips!🔥 I
Superb lesson and video production man!! You bring a detailed analysis to things that's rare. The thump&pop on one string -- for me that's an easier way than double thumb to get some fast notes (and I wonder if that isn't how Larry Graham did it sometimes -- Release Yourself? come on now). I've never done this enough in a gig setting to really sort out the tone and volume settings. Seems to me that slap needs a lot louder setting than what I use for finger style, both because I play hard and also don't like a too-bright tone when playing w fingers. And slap sounds bad if you're honking on it too hard b/c the volume ain't there. I'd like to know to what extent the ace players count on a compressor or just have a volume/tone that requires dialing way back when playing w fingers.
I don't play bass, hell, I don't even play any type of string instrument, but I was mesmerized and found this video extremely informative and entertaining. Thanks!
hi Travies, can you create more content on application? esp on church P&W as i noticed you mentioned worship songs. nothing too showy, just simple slap grooves that brings up the energy and emphasize the groove i realise a lot of videos dnt teach tht cause they r always way too busy showing how well they slap
95% of the time, you don't need your tone controls. Which is why I stopped installing tone controls on the guitars and basses I build. It's always better to do it with your amp or mixer, so you get the purest signal to your DI-box. :) Giving my thumbs up for this video!
You need tone controls to dial in that awesome sound I would never let the mixer shape my tone my bass knob is cranked up to 3:00 so is my treble mid as needed 😊 that's that sound that's why your best Bass guitars have a 3 band EQ and switches..
Travis the main man !! excellent tutorial. Especially about when and when not to use it.Some songs might just need a pop on a cool part of the beat just for some flavor now and then. Other times pull the trigger just remember that your arsenal (stamina) better be fit for the longer songs lol I am a dinosaur bassist and at music school thumb bob was all the rage (Way to go Marcus ) and the bible for this technique from beginner and beyond is a book by Tony Oppenheim "slap it " get that down and then check out Charles Victor Marcus etc etc great job Travis we need more people like you passing the torch to others.
What I've come to learn is depending on the bass and strings to do some slaps you'll have to slap through the string instead of slapping it at the bottom of the fretboard
Gotta be honest, I almost clicked off because it annoys me when people say "whenever" instead of "when" ("whenever I was growing up" vs "when I was growing up"). However, this is one of the best bass videos I have ever seen. Congrats on the weight loss as well, I know it's hard but it's so worth it!
Travis- do you keep your forearm anchored on the same point on top of the bass? Or is your arm free floating? I’m having some string accuracy problems with my thumb.
Great video! Perfect presentation of content without unnecessary ego fluff. So helpful. Question: during my practice, slap is really tearing up my fingers, any advice or tips?
Make sure to use the side of your thumb where the bone slightly pokes. If you start practicing this and don’t really have any calluses then it will be sore a little bit until you do.
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Hearing Mark King with Level 42 first time in the early 80s was sort of a revelation for me. 😮
Mark started off as a drummer before picking up the bass, and that‘s what slapping really is: a fusion of bass and percussion. 🎉
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Yeah, that is exactly why Larry Graham started doing it. He was playing with his Mom in church and they didn't have a drummer.
Wow 63 years old. Tried to learn slap but life got in the way early in life and had to put the Bass aside. Sold my old Fender and that was life. Came across your video surfing RUclips and wow again, I wish I had this when I was young. Thanks for sharing your art and passion. Cheers
Thanks for the great video. As a gigging bassist it took me a while tonunderstand that slap bass has its place: 50% at home, 20% at the soundcheck and 2% during the actual performance. 😁
I've been playing for 42 years and have bought a lot of music books and watched a lot of videos and this is by far the best video I've ever seen. Thank you!!! I am now following your channel !!!
42. 🤩
This was a great tutorial
So, you were Level 42, eh? 😉
Marcus Miller created some great bass lines on many Luther Vandross classic ballads using thumping (slap) and plucking. It's definitely an artform that takes a very skilled and disciplined musician to properly employ.
Thank u for the comment and saying it's thumpin and pluckin
I'm more of a verdine fan
He Didn't create most of the bass lines with Luther, but he give them the right dynamics (articulation).
This was very helpful. I’m a long time bassist, but I’ve never developed slap technique. I appreciate the guidelines and advice you have here.
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Where have you been all my life?! I've searched bass tutorials for the past year that I've been trying to step up my bass game and only now you've randomly showed up in my feed, and I'm glad it did! I really enjoyed how in your other slap video, you broke down the techniques from super simple, and slowly went up to more complicated ones. Other videos I've watched didn't quite do that. Really enjoying your content so far, and looking forward to more.
Wow. Thanks you so much for that!
I can totally relate to that …
Beautiful method of playing slap so easily . Always keep shining and stay blessed ❤️
Thank you for your great teaching style. Straightforward - & you include so many stylistic hints. I’m new to bass but having a great time. You inspire me to keep at it!
Great video! One tip for new bassists here. If you're finding that no matter how hard you come down, your hammer-ons aren't producing much, if any, sound, your bass' action (the distance between your strings and fretboard) may be too high. Consider taking it to a professional for an adjustment.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge … lately I’ve been drawn to bass guitar … not sure if it’s because I’m older (in my 60s now) or I just realized how much I love R&B, jazz and gospel … it’s December 2024, but in 2025 I think I’m gonna pick up the bass guitar and learn to play it (watching your videos, of course) … and you are the inspiration for that … I like your teaching style … your overall vibe as a human being … and of course you as a great bass player. Just wanted to comment and let you know and thank you again for your past videos and your future ones - I look forward to them. As yes, I have subscribed to your channel!
Needed this..I've been struggling with this technique and this made me want to get back at it with a new viewpoint. Thanks
One of the hardest tunes for me to slap on has always been "Lessons In Love" by Level 42. I have no idea how Mark King just keeps that thumb going consistently with the synth bass!
This is my very first video of yours that I watched, and I am so excited to start implementing these techniques into my routine. Thank you so much!
Whoaaa ! So much to learn !!! 😍😍😍😍 Thanks Travis (from 🌍Paris / France )
WOW
Thanks so much Mr Travis Dykes.
I'm super grateful for this video you have put out.
GOD bless you richly in all you do.
Yo bro, the stuff you're teaching show you're a mature musician and they all make good musical sense. It's seldom that a guru like yourself come by conveniently to demonstrate these content appropriately. Keep it up man. You're doing alright!
I'm a drummer who has just started learning bass in the past few months. Thanks for the great lesson!
I love your pro musician videos they inspire me to do better as a musician ❤
Great video Travis! I've been slapping since the 90s and I can confirm for new players:
• practicing SLOW is crucial. You'll be surprised how quickly you will get your speed up by starting every new technique slow and clean
• you absolutely will irritate the snot out of everyone within earshot when you practice slapping. That's just how it goes.
Yo, thanks for showing me how to get into the world of kings like Victor and Marcus. I've watched so many of their videos all the way from Ethiopia, and it's sick that you've given me a way to groove just like them.
bro, your bass playing and weight are super so inspiring.. thanks for making your wonderful videos
You educated me very much in this one video. Need more videos like this. Thankyou.
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆👆 I got something special for you
The tips and little exercises are just Spot on!! Thanks very much!
Travis , your teaching is of an excellent flavor, unspoken tricks of the trade, thank you sir! 👍🏽
Thank u! This was so well done and I learned a lot. New sub!
Comprehensive and detailed lesson. Such a great teacher! Thanks so much and God bless you!
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Thank you! Your videos are very helpful. I play in a sort of classic rock jam band that wants to get more funky and this is going to help me a lot. Much appreciated.
Nice and clear explanation and well demonstrated on the bass.
Thanks!
You're so amazing., the way you teach gives the envy to watch more. Thanks
This has to be one best lessons I have seen with Slapping techniques. Thanks so much for sharing all these tips Travis, you’re the best. 🙏👍🏼
I appreciate you for watching 😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Very cool 😎! Thank you for sharing 👍🏽 😊
Thanks for such an in-depth video. You have a great teaching style. I was engaged the whole time.
So that's how you teach slap, I've learned a lot from this lesson, excellent advice. Subscribed, thanks man
Great info here Travis, thank you👏
Thank you so, so… much for this helpful and informative bass lesson bass player. 🙂
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆👆 I got something special for you
Great job. Can you comment on the way that bass neck feels? I am thinking about buying one.
Hi Travis, I think not only the right strings add to your tone, but I think string height and action has a lot to do with overall tone. I find these two are not even talked about or mention on some of the slap videos online.😊
Hey Man i wanna thank you for all the craaazy good content you deliver here free for us!🤯 You are a Killer Bass Player and definetly one of the nicest Bass teachers on RUclips!🔥
I
Good Content bro. I’ve struggled to find proper slap technique breakdowns.
Superb lesson and video production man!! You bring a detailed analysis to things that's rare. The thump&pop on one string -- for me that's an easier way than double thumb to get some fast notes (and I wonder if that isn't how Larry Graham did it sometimes -- Release Yourself? come on now). I've never done this enough in a gig setting to really sort out the tone and volume settings. Seems to me that slap needs a lot louder setting than what I use for finger style, both because I play hard and also don't like a too-bright tone when playing w fingers. And slap sounds bad if you're honking on it too hard b/c the volume ain't there. I'd like to know to what extent the ace players count on a compressor or just have a volume/tone that requires dialing way back when playing w fingers.
Excellent breakdown, brother Travis! Mahalo!!
I’m 2 min into this lesson
You’re absolutely awesome!!
Thank you for the video because I am a beginner bass player and I want to take it to another level.😊
Thanks Travis. I'm way past ready to go to the next level...
Thanks this video help a lot for newbie bass player 🎉 unlock slap 👋 bass
Definitely hear the difference with the compressor on. The tone is smoother and deeper. Nice!
With the compressor sounds 👌 good.
Thanks Travis. You’re always so giving!
these are great practice tips! and an easy way to build from the ground up.
Wow. Travis is cool with the Bass playing.
You are a very inspirational teacher to me and other's .I believe the beginners are learning alot from you.God bless you. YOU'LL AWSOME.
I don't play bass, hell, I don't even play any type of string instrument, but I was mesmerized and found this video extremely informative and entertaining. Thanks!
hi Travies, can you create more content on application? esp on church P&W as i noticed you mentioned worship songs.
nothing too showy, just simple slap grooves that brings up the energy and emphasize the groove
i realise a lot of videos dnt teach tht cause they r always way too busy showing how well they slap
Hi Travis, very good presentation valuable content, fantastic styleful playing - and You're a super nice and cool guy!
I see a lot of people who slap bass differently. And they sound good. I see people teach out to slap different ways.
I find this video quite helpful. Thanks Travis 🙏
This video is really helpful and I learned a lot from it.💪
Thank you Travis!
Thanks for the great lessons you share big brother😁 God bless🙏🙏
I appreciate you for watching 😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Great information to improve bass slap. Thank you, Travis.
Very well laid out and super informative Travis !! Keep it up brother !!!
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Awesome video my Man lots of good info... thanx 4 sharing!
Awesome instruction. I'm glad l found you!! Thanks
95% of the time, you don't need your tone controls. Which is why I stopped installing tone controls on the guitars and basses I build. It's always better to do it with your amp or mixer, so you get the purest signal to your DI-box. :) Giving my thumbs up for this video!
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
You need tone controls to dial in that awesome sound I would never let the mixer shape my tone my bass knob is cranked up to 3:00 so is my treble mid as needed 😊 that's that sound that's why your best Bass guitars have a 3 band EQ and switches..
Thanks for this video, much appreciate it🙏❗
You have made more sense than a lot of those who have come before you
Man, this is a masterclass. Thankss alot.
Travis the main man !! excellent tutorial. Especially about when and when not to use it.Some songs might just need a pop on a cool part of the beat just for some flavor now and then. Other times pull the trigger just remember that your arsenal (stamina) better be fit for the longer songs lol I am a dinosaur bassist and at music school thumb bob was all the rage (Way to go Marcus ) and the bible for this technique from beginner and beyond is a book by Tony Oppenheim "slap it " get that down and then check out Charles Victor Marcus etc etc great job Travis we need more people like you passing the torch to others.
Thanks so much Travis - this is so helpful
Thanks great teaching..I finally got it.
Excellent video tutorial. I would say the best video tutorial on bass. Great job brother.
That means a lot. I appreciate that.
Excellent video!! Thanks!
Thanks man for video! I alsow almost all the time using my preamp flat. Or just little bit put middle and high:)
Nice breakdown bruh! Experience it and have fun with it!
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
It's the Bassist SECRET ghost notes...Andrew Gouche..is great with this technique, I learned it from his playing,along with Marcus miller
Great information, thank you ! Very helpful
I love the love the sound of a bass
What I've come to learn is depending on the bass and strings to do some slaps you'll have to slap through the string instead of slapping it at the bottom of the fretboard
This is gold. Thank you❤
Very nice Travis. Keep it up
nice info sir ! thanks
Gotta be honest, I almost clicked off because it annoys me when people say "whenever" instead of "when" ("whenever I was growing up" vs "when I was growing up"). However, this is one of the best bass videos I have ever seen. Congrats on the weight loss as well, I know it's hard but it's so worth it!
💪🏾
Your videos have helped me improve tremendously. Thank you
Great lesson with useful tips. Thank you sir.
What are the pros and cons using a 5string bass
Travis- do you keep your forearm anchored on the same point on top of the bass? Or is your arm free floating?
I’m having some string accuracy problems with my thumb.
Great video! Perfect presentation of content without unnecessary ego fluff. So helpful.
Question: during my practice, slap is really tearing up my fingers, any advice or tips?
Make sure to use the side of your thumb where the bone slightly pokes. If you start practicing this and don’t really have any calluses then it will be sore a little bit until you do.
@@TravisDykes Thanks!
Keep up the great work.
THIS.... is an amazing video!! thank you!
I appreciate you for watching 😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Thank you. Great practice techniques. Question: strings; flat wound or round wound. What is best for slap?
Yes C🤩🤩L !
And with your Jazz-cition !!
TY
I appreciate you for watching 😍😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Thanks man that's a funky lessons😅
Is this the transparent yellow
color or burlywood? Love it!
Great Stuff ! Thank you very much !
(I'm starting to learn THE SLAP and this is very useful!)
I appreciate you for watching 😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Any advice on getting a good slap tone from a passive jazz bass ?
Thank you for the tips. I'm off to practice now
I appreciate you for watching 😍 chat me 👆 I got something special for you
Thanks for sharing
If I don't have a compressor, can I just cut the treble or turn the tone knob down and get the same results?
So nice vid! Thanks man!
Great thanks👍🎶