Beginner Bass Lessons: How To Play Slap Bass Lesson 1 - Thumping

[MrWh0reface]

when learning bass would you suggest learning on a 4 or 5 string for progressive music?

[joshfossgreen]

@MrWh0reface I think Ibanez makes really good beginner basses that are good for that kind of stuff, they generally have a full two octave neck (24 frets), two pickups, and active electronics. Peavey BXPs and Grinds are pretty cheap too and also great for prog/fusion, in my opinion.

[tawesd]

I think when he mentioned Marcus Miller, he meant the piece, "Run For Cover" for all of you that are curious

[rambovic13]

How do I keep my thumb from hitting the other strings?

[joshfossgreen]

@rambovic13 One exercise I used to do a lot is just practicing changing strings with my thumb, left hand not really doing anything. Just go E-A-D-G-D-A over and over, then you can work on other string crossings and what not. That should help get your accuracy up. Other than that, just play a lot!

[kbot86]

I actually prefer not to angle my thumb to at 11 o clock as it then sets my fingers almost parallel to the strings which is makes "popping" more cumbersome for me and the attack more at the side of my finger than at the fleshy pad. A slight downward angle (1 o clock) works best for me leaving my fingers more perpendicular to the strings putting them in a closer position for when I use them. Also, I know your mom, helluva sax player! Rock on baba!

[joshfossgreen]

@kbot86 Yeah, I use the side of my index/middle fingers for popping. The reason I recommend 11'o'clock vs. 1'o'clock is that it facilitates Wooten-style double-thumping, which you can't do with a thumb angled down. Also, I find the tone and accuracy is a little better angled up for me.

[islapilluminati]

excellent presentation dude....you explained and demonstrated things very clearly...which is what a beginner needs....I've been playing bass for years, but never got into slap until now.....great lesson

[SammiColourz]

Amazing sound!!!!! this was the first video that actually made sense to me for slap bass.

[joshfossgreen]

@SammiColourz Cool! Glad it helped. Let me know if you have any questions!

[iloveguitar2006]

look how fuckin bent ur thumb is at the start of the vid,im scaered to learn bass now if my thumbs gonna be like that

[joshfossgreen]

@iloveguitar2006 lol, maybe it's hard to tell just from the vid but it's gripping the neck of my bass. My hands are not deformed. :) Also I have huge hands.

[BassGuitarded01]

Good video man! I'm a new bassist, it's cool to see people sharing what they know. Good quality. Keep 'em coming!

[breakkfastman1573]

I wont

[breakkfastman1573]

cool when do you think you can have it up

[joshfossgreen]

@breakkfastman1573 Ha! We'll see. I'm currently editing an advanced lesson which will be up in the next day or so. Maybe this week. Don't crucify me if it gets delayed :).

[breakkfastman1573]

Can u do a muted string and popping lesson

[joshfossgreen]

@breakkfastman1573 Good idea! I'll get that happenin'.

[wilky1189]

i'm hitting the strings with the knuckle of my thumb. is that correct?

[joshfossgreen]

@wilky1189 Yeah, the idea is to get as much flesh on the string as possible. To do that, I keep my thumb straight (without flexing the end joint, as I said in the video) and keep it tilted ever so slightly upward. That way you're hitting not ONLY with the knuckle, but all the way from the knuckle to nearer the tip of your thumb. If you're only getting knuckle, your thumb might be tilted too high up.

[lionelchurch]

The text comments below the video really helped me keep track of what you were expressing with the short riffs. I dig it!