alex webster slaps all the time anyways.....

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Irony?

what?

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good point, very good, and only a guitar player would say bass solos arent cool, because they don't understand the low end!

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i dont know tapping is pretty stinkin fun.

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I saw and heard Alex webster slapping exactly one time, which was on the Wretched Spawn DVD perfomring a bass solo.




Topic: I do not understand why so many bassists start slapping as soon as they have to play some octaves, no matter whether the sound fits or not.
For some Groove Parts i play typewriter style, which is similiar to slapping, but not as "twingy".

I dont play bass, but i see some of you mentioning like bass solos. I gotta say the intro to NIB with or without distortion was DAMN GOOD! I was impressed however i'm sure you guys have heard better.

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so where did you see an irony?

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here!?

I think i must have missed sth

C'mon guys! How can you not give slapping credit? Slapping was "invented" as a way of emulating the drums. Notes aren't as important as the rhythm you are creating.

Granted there are too many Flea and Claypool wannabes and not everyone can or should slap. Too many bassists jump to it too soon because it's flashy. Slap also has limited use in metal but I do like to pop the high strings sometimes - sounds fucking heavy.

Still, forget Alex Webster (easily the most overrated bassist on this forum ) and check out Brothers Johnson, Stanley Clarke or Parliament if you want to hear some slap.


PS - I just had a jazz bass built with a DIMARZIO X2N-B installed in it.
I'll post on it with some sound bytes when I've explored it some more but so far !

Well firstly can I just say this is an awesome thread, one of the best metal threads I've been through, Good discussion

Yeah I have been practising slap a bit lately, but I don't know why because I know it's stuffing up me maintaining good technique. But now that I am about to start up lessons again I think I will put it away.

Fact is best band with best bassists either don't slap or it is an occassional fill, but really their are cooler effects that can be created by other techniques or simply awesome sense of Rhythem (which is what the bass is for not slapping).
Leave slapping for someone like Whooten (is that right spelling, only just discovered him)

My view is 4 string all the way (not a fan of the 5 string)
play the bass properly

You need a 5 string for certain situations.

I know that's true

Paradise Lost use a 6 string on Dissapear interestingly enough

are you saying that playing a bass with more than 4 strings is improper?

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I prefer 4 strings
thats me, I spose I'm a bit cynical as some bands opt for 5 string bass more for the sound rather than to play it properly

I know this is not always the case, some bands have good 5 stringed bassists or they play the odd the song 5 string, which I think is a good way to go
sometimes a 5 string is required I know that, probably should ave worded myself sharper, it oviously can play at a lower pitch that a 4 string can't
but I prefer the 4 string

I spose alot depends on the style as well for strings on a bass is good for the more funk style

the only time ive actually seen a bass played 'improperly" was about a month ago when this local band was playing.
the bass player had a decent rig
ampeg svt4-pro
ampeg 6x10
fender Marcus miller 4
he decided to be "hardcore" at the end of their set, and threw the bass on the ground, then he ran through the bar like your typical fat idiot.
then he slipped and cracked his skull on a pool table...

....karma...

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I love slap bass. But with everything in music, there is a time and place for it. Example, slap doesn't have much use in technical metal or an acoustic, but if you're just grooving at a coffee shop or what have you, it's wonderful.

Slap bass may be unnesscessary, but so are guitarist techniques like sweep picking and pinch harmonics. But like I said, there is a time and place for slap bass.

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