Most people play the bass, I like to SLAP the bass!

Slap That Bass! by Slick Joe Fick Out Now

► Check out this two-minute video to hear Joe’s tour through the history of slap bass!

THE STORY OF THIS VIDEO:
Nashville-based Slick Joe Fick is obsessed with slap bass and has an encyclopedic knowledge of its history and techniques. At the end of our session filming lessons with Joe, I thought I would put him to the test by asking him to do something without any warning. The idea was to showcase Joe’s favourite slap bass techniques and players in just two minutes. Joe was completely unprepared, but absolutely nailed it! Playing bass can be hard enough, but to give a 2-minute history whilst talking and playing happening at the same time, is really something special.

Of course, there are numerous notable slap bass artists that we missed in the video, but we hope you enjoy learning about a few of Joe’s favourite bassists and hearing his incredible playing!

MEET SLICK JOE FICK
Known as the Energizer Bunny of the slap bass world due to his virtuosic technique, ‘Slick’ Joe Fick is one of Nashville’s most in-demand bassists. Joe has performed or recorded with Sonny Burgess, James Burton, D.J. Fontana, Wanda Jackson, the Jordanaires, Boots Randolph, and many more. Slick Joe portrayed Elvis Presley’s bass player, Bill Black, in the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic ‘Walk the Line’ and played upright bass on the soundtrack of Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film ‘Elvis’ (Warner Bros) starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks. Joe currently wows audiences with his band Kelley’s Heroes 5 nights a week at Robert’s Western World on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. Be sure to pay them a visit to see his dazzling slap chops in action!

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#SlapThatBass

[chrisbreese]

If you're ever in Nashville, you have to go to Robert's Western World and see Joe and Kelly's Heroes. INSANELY GOOD

[waynebergman]

Slapping is so cool. My first intro to the slap style was watcing Keith Picot ( a canadian master of the slap ) . I had front row seats and it was like watching a majic show. I could not for the life of me figure out what or how he was making all these wonderful sounds. I was hooked. Sold my electric and bought an upright shortly after. My slapping is not so good but love listening to those that can. ....wayne

[mastercraft-carpentry]

A very impressive player. Such a great sound. His poor ole bass looks like it's had a good bit of slapping over the years!
Looking forward to the tutorials. Thanks!

[alessandroarcuri]

You should also mention Joe Zinkan, another slap ace of the good ol' days 😎

[JonathanKobler]

Joe Fick, the hardest working man on Lower Broad. That was a great video. I'm going keep an eye out for this course.

[AlexisGelinas]

BRAVO! I literally clapped at my desk :D thank you for such an excellent demonstration of the variety of uses of this technique. This is GOLD for arrangers like myself who don't play the instrument but want to use the technique in music.

[MrDanilop]

It would be terrific to add all this techniques in my double bassist toolbox. Really beautiful and energising.

[stringbender]

I have watched Joe play dozens of times and I am always extremely amazed. To see him demonstrate these different patterns solo and up close brings everything into focus. Truly enjoyed this!

[marcfpv]

Was searching for a tutorial on this sound on a electric bass, i stayed because you have new fan! 🫡

[slapndbass]

Awesome technique. Came to the right video

[Bradleybox]

I have read that the bass can also be viewed as a percussion instrument. No doubt about that from this demonstration!

[glennhynes]

So much skill for 'not alot of sound.'

[kevinjamiesonbelou]

Sam Rockwell on bass! He can do more than dance folks!

[pfunk]

is it easier to slap with nylon or gut strings than metal strings?

[OrdinaryLatvian]

If I played what he's just played my right hand would be unusable for like a month. Guy's got fingers of steel.

[jesusmorales]

Do some Spanish music with that technique