I’m playing “Dark Necessities” by RHCP (a very cool and challenging bass line) and have an issue with a specific spot.
At some point, there are two consecutive slaps , first a Bb going to C. It can be done on fret 6 of the E or 1 of the A, moving to the 3rd on the A.
My issue is that I achieve a better slap tone while slapping the E String, but I get background noise during the transition, before I manage to mute it with my thumb while hitting the C.
What I noticed helps is slapping that specific Bb a bit closer to the bridge, where the string spacing is larger (I have a thin Sandberg Jazz style neck), and then slapping the C at the normal location.
While it’s a bit of a “tighther & thinner” sound, I feel it’s more accurate.
Is this a “hack “ or am I creating a bad habit?
If you and I were in a lesson, I’d want you to play it the way Flea plays it.
He plays it going from Bb to a C both on the A string.
So, first fret to 3rd fret on the A.
When you’re slapping, you’re right that the string spacing is wider towards the bridge, but that’s the hardest spot to play slap.
The slap sound is generated from slamming the string against the fretboard, so the most efficient place to do it is right off the end of the fingerboard, between the end of the frets and your pickups.
The sound will be better, you’ll be in better position for pops (popping down by the bridge can be downright painful because the string tension is so much higher), and it will be a better technique in the long run.
I hope you can make the adjustment and that it still works out!
Thank you so much for this, Gio. I appreciate it.
I will be more specific, I just move my hand away from the fingerboard for this specific slap, the rest of the riff is on the fretboard sweet spot, those ghost notes need to be felt
The only point is to eliminate the hum coming from a slap on the E followed by a quick slap on A.
Will focus more on the original Flea way and not use the E string in that spot.
I think that you’re on exactly the right track.
When you’re trying to problem solve anything in playing, the approach (which it sounds like you’re doing) is:
Can I make it sound better by altering/changing things up a bit?
If YES then…
Does it still sound good, even though I’m altering ‘orthodox’ technique?
If YES then…
Will this bad technique ruin my life and destroy my relationships and explode my bass?
If NO then…
Do I still have control over comfortable, best-practices technique, but I now have an added skill to problem solve certain things for myself without sacrificing future bass playing?
If YES then…
Thanks again. I tend to agree that an isolated case of bad technique will most likely have a neutral effect on my life, relationships, and the functionality of my bass.
