Top 3 Slap Bass Problems And How To Fix Them!

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This week I'm looking at the 3 biggest problems I see in players getting started with slap bass technique. Slapping can be really tough for beginner bass players that want to imitate their heroes like Flea, Marcus Miller or Mark King but some of the issues are easily fixed with some simple tips.

1) Buy some new strings! Slapping can sound really bad on old, dead strings. A lot of the slap sound comes from the zing of fresh new strings and when you're getting started as a beginner bass player, you're likely to get frustrated that it doesn't sound like you want it to.

2) Watch Your Thumb! Lots of slap bass players have problems with striking the wrong string or hitting in the wrong place. This is easily fixed. Just watch your thumb! Pick a spot on the string and slap it!

3) The Fretting Hand! Bass players often assume that the thumb is responsible for the slap sound but the fretting hand is SO important. We use it for our note duration, we create ghost notes and percussive effects with it (like Mark King) and we also use it in slapping for cleaning up all the unwanted noise. In this lesson I introduce you to the 'home position' that could change your approach to slap bass and playing in general!

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[reybalangue]

mark I'm a long time bass player, and I've .never seen a bass player who teach some technique as detailed, as clear and organize kind of teaching as you are .I've seen and listen to many of them is not as convincing as you are so I have learned a lot from you and like every body else say "Thank so Much" and I will continue watching

[Lkid]

Easter Egg: He plays the intro that you hear in every talkingbass video at 2:50. It looks unreal lol

[robwassell]

I love Mark's style. Straight down to business, no messing around, just first-class, professional bass teaching.

[scottbulmer]

Mark, you are such an incredible talent. Fantastic musicianship, technique and incredibly gifted in communication skills, explaining complex concepts in a very down to earth, understandable way. Thanks for sharing your passion with this community!

[tay]

don't change the style of these videos please, hate other bass 'lesson' videos that give a vlog for the first 10 minutes then start the lesson....

[boseifrit]

2:45 ay I can play that
Yay I've accomplished something

[Spiceyspiney]

Brilliant - thank you. Now I have just treated myself to my first new bass in over 20 yes, I am determined to master slapping!

[apostoliagkolfinopoulou]

You saved me ! You are the only one explaining the mistakes thank God!

[simplezgoof]

Great videos, unlike a certain bass youtube channel who makes the video 30 minutes long to explain something that would take 5 minutes

[malcelinho]

I always wanted to hear the introduction groove...man, is awesome to hear *and* to watch

[ghislaingautier]

Mark, you have just unlock my slap.
I had old string mounted and after you video i immediately changed it with the spare strings i have been keeping there for months. Keep it up. You actually teach bass playing. You know what are the problems met by who is learning and work on that.
Keep it up dude

[sbdreamin]

I’m trying to figure out the best way to setup my bass for slap, but don’t understand one thing: is the string supposed to hit the frets when you slap it? Or does the thumb contacting the string make the slap sound without it needing to hit the frets?

[graemerobertson]

One point about Ghost notes - it took me ages to stop mine sounding like real hammer on notes. I think it has been glossed over in a number of tutorials. I ended up working out for my self that to get the muffled dead sound, you have to mute the string with at least two fretting fingers.

[SeanChapman]

Very practical and common sense instruction. I am a long-time keyboardist but new bassist trying to train my hands to a new instrument. Great information - thanks very much for sharing!!

[noobbassist]

When I slap the bass I can't slap the inner strings because I always hit other strings

[vaninav]

You are an awsome bass tutor!! Thank you so much ( I am one of these still having to look where I am going with the thumb with the A string. Thought it was bad practice to look at the thumb rather than fretting hand, feeling much better now!). Oh, thanks so much 😊

[koteynikoi-kotei]

It's all your fault Mark, thanks to you I started learning how to slap this year!

[jareddavis]

Changed my strings after watching this video! It really does help!

[TheYjmfan]

Just subbed I like the way you explain things I’m a teacher myself definitely not Bass I may add but recognise a good teacher when I see one, there are so many expert players but can’t teach/ put the message across. What’s best bass to slap on ? Any advice.

[DuelingDragonsMusic]

Guitar player here. Thanks for teaching me how to S L A P P properly