This is One of The Funkiest Bass Techniques There Is! (L#113)

Mixing plucking and slapping techniques on the bass is something that I rarely see discussed, but is used extensively by many of the worlds top bass players. You'll have heard it used on many records thousands of times before, most likely without even noticing it as it's something that can go under the radar so easily even though it's a huge reason why the bass line sound so damn funky :)

In this lesson I deconstruct the bass line from the famous Jocelyn Brown tune "Somebody Else's Guy". This is a perfect example of two different plucking techniques being used in conjunction with each other to give the bass line that "slap bass" feel, but still with the control and tightness of a finger style bass line.

"Somebody Else's Guy" was the first song I started using within my practice time to get used to swapping between slapping and plucking techniques within the same bass line. Initially it's a lot trickier that you might think as it's easy to start rushing the groove when swapping between the two styles.

Good luck...

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[danielhartle]

What makes your videos so enjoyable is U look so happy doing them. I hope U never lose this passion

[angelicons]

I love how your glove is colour coordinated with your hoodie. 

[Smeppolone]

Scott i do beleave that your way of teaching, your approach to teaching, is just great! So i want to thank you!

[mackleygeorge]

Its very wonderful to see the technique and skill combined together and 'released' in a impressive ways. slapping a bass is like making the bass is singing by its own way. Thanks for the session.

[Bassmanwcm]

Thank you Scott for all the "behind the scenes" hours put into your lessons. I truly appreciate your efforts. I have incorporated so much of your advice and techniques into my playing and has made me a more rounded player. My band mates get a laugh every time I announce that I'm diggin into a flatted 3rd when that minor sticks his little head out. No words can tell you how much I appreciate your work, Thank you.

[adidaskoln]

Every now and again lets have more of this type of lesson for all the family

[ДмитрийУльяниченко]

Скот, ты лучший ! с уважением из России, из города - Подольск. Я не пропускаю ни одного твоего урока!!
Scott, you're the best! respect from Russia, from the city - Podolsk. I do not miss any of your lesson!

[TheOneshoe]

 john taylor would never do a free bass lesson -  3 cheers for Scott.
Seriously, i have massive respect for what Scott does and what ive learned from his lessons. Clarity of info, ie straight talk, riffs, and disciplines, that sound so good you've got to learn them. And the feeling when you master one is the best. Thx Scott

[micktomazou]

I think it was Scott who used the phrase "bass vocabulary" when you're learning riffs, etc. The more riffs you learn, the more you can "relocate" into your own bass playing. Nearly everybody uses a "Walking octave" - no idea who used it first - but it's a useful addition to everybody's "bass vocabulary"...Keep up the good work Scott...

[kensnaps]

Thanks so much for continually cranking out free bass lessons! It's been awesome getting tips from your videos and using the resources you provide on your website.

[uncommonmix]

Very nice lesson! When I auditioned to my school I covered this song :)! This lesson made me pick up this technique that I had forgotten again! Cheers!

[BigHRD]

I always liked this bassline, its pretty slick and funky.

[MrJoeyBoombotz]

What a great teacher you are! Thank you so much!

[tophe]

You are a very good teacher. Thank you.

[rasputin]

in Ab minor, the B is actually called C flat. The reason is that in any scale the note names should always be sequential. No jumps and no same name twice. example for Ab min scale the sequece is Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F etc.. Never Ab, Bb, B, Db... all over the place. This explains the reason why we have certain numbers of flats (or sharps) for scales, and not arbitrary accidentals just because they happen to satisfy the criteria of the correct interval sequence for any scale. So for ex we don't end up on Ab minor with a scale named like Ab, A#, Cb, C# E# just because we feel like it, although the intervals are still technically correct.

[heavygah]

I could listen to your sweet funky lizard grooves all my life!

[raycreyn]

Hey there Scott, I'm very, very grateful, learning with each of your videos,
Thank you so much.

[porgeidaniel]

you are the best teacher! great leasson!Thanks!

[ThrashRebel]

I'm glad I found this video. I am a guitarist, primarily (played bass like a guitarist, for decades). I am trying to expand & learn to think & play like a bass player. I am writing bass lines for a song I wrote a while back. It has a "thrashy" sound to it (a lot of palm muting), but it isn't full-on thrash (like my earlier stuff). Anyhow, for the chorus, I started experimenting with a little slap & pop, mixed with fills, runs played traditionally (with fingers). I wasn't sure if I should try to do it considering the palm muted chorus riff. It is kind of like a Ted Nugent meets Dave Mustaine kind of riff. I think it gives a different feel to it, though. This video will help me to improve my technique doing that type of thing.


Thanks, Scott.

[gabriel]

You really do make learning fun Scott - I had a blast learning this one! Cheers from Oz