Great job @lee_editorial! That first video made me want to grab my surf board and head to the beach.
8 Likes
Thanks @Fahri and yes thanks for noticing that part where I was not playing bass! I tried to mimic that same part that the guitar is doing there, but I think because the drums (maybe tom toms?) are so heavy at that part, that the bass just sounded too muddy. You are correct it did feel a bit weird to be waiting in that empty space- and probably just concentrating on the timing inside my head, trying to jump back in at the correct moment!
The drums I use come from an online drummer website. You can play along for free from there or from his youtube channel. (but you can also pay $5 per month subscription and download as many higher quality tracks as you want) And he posts new ones each month. I know there is a lot out there of digital stuff, but I think its a lot cooler to play with recorded tracks from a live drummer:
It has been an invaluable bass practice tool for me! You can search tracks based on genre or tempo. I have downloaded a ton of tracks, and when I am working on something, I can pull up my list, try things out using different BPMs and quickly discover what I think works best. (and great practice to take a fast paced song and try to play it at a lower bpm, or vice versa)
It has also really helped when I am trying to learn an existing song. After practicing with the actual artist track, its great to then select one of these Dooley drum tracks with a similar tempo and try to play the song (or at least parts of the song) just using the drum track. When I am playing along to the actual artist, I think I’m sounding really wonderful, since in addition to myself, I am also hearing all the other layers of instruments/vocals/effects, etc.
But then when its just me playing the sames bass parts and all I hear is myself and the stripped down sound of drums, its a lot easier to hear my problem issues, correct timing, etc to try and fix)
6 Likes
@lee_editorial Ah yes I have spent some time on his youtube channel as well.
Did not go in depth research with it though…
6 Likes
Just started getting into slap in earnest, here’s a simple riff I just recorded for posterity:
Recorded on the Sterling Ray24 I picked up last week. I’m working my way through the Slap Bass course over on TalkingBass, still very much cleaning up the technique and dynamics.
Another thing I’m still figuring out is the ideal tone settings for slap. Feedback welcome!
9 Likes
Hi @bjams,
Sounds really crisp and clean👍
Nice mix and tone with the backing track, well done😎
Cheers Brian
4 Likes
I haven’t reached the slap module yet or attempted it otherwise so can’t give much in the way of feedback… but my newbie ears enjoyed what they just heard, as Brian said it sounds really clean. Nice one! 
6 Likes
Good job @bjams! A lot better than my attempts at slapping.
5 Likes
@bjams
Very clean, liked your tones and timing. Have not attempted the slap technique yet, but for certain songs, it can sound cool (especially on a ray!)
5 Likes
And @renouf, I like that you were “dancing”! It definitely helps with the rhythm.
4 Likes
Haha thanks, it definitely does, don’t realise I’m doing it most of the time! Just can’t not move to music so I’m always either dancing, nodding my head or tapping out the beat whether I actually like the song that’s playing or not 
6 Likes
Hey you live in Hampshire. Me too!
2 Likes
I do that too, it really helps alot. That’s the main reason I cannot play sitting down (there are many other reasons as well).
5 Likes
That is great, love the video editing too!
5 Likes
Here’s a little clip from my class, we had to do Stanley Clarke’s Bass Folk song. This version is in A. We were using his technique of playing high notes on the open strings (usually G) letting them ring out while you play notes over it. Gives a great sound IMHO. Well, this is my take (it’s short).
8 Likes
Very melodic @Sully 
3 Likes
Interesting technique. Nice.
3 Likes
That sounds very cool! Thanks for sharing.
4 Likes
@joergkutter Here I will just share this in here to continue our convo from the other thread. This again is just a quick practice fooling around. Stream Bass improv (Unfinished) by Lester Harper Music | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
And thank you for your comments in the other thread.
6 Likes
Awesome! Let me follow up with some of my sketches later… is probably first going to be tomorrow! Cheers!
4 Likes
Sounds good
3 Likes