Mark King - Slap Bass lesson - Must know muting technique

www.cambridgebasslessons.co.uk
This Bass line was one of the reasons why I fell in love with the instrument. The rhythm is unique and so much fun to play. If you can get this left hand technique right you'll be able to add another dimension to your playing. I use the left hand hit all the time and I barely ever play slap bass live (not including youtube). It can be easily transferred to your finger style of playing! Comments and requests welcome.

[@mowvu5380]

dude you're providing a service to all! words are words but your physical teaching technique is awesome. kudos to you

[@markbass354]

I got obsessed with this 2 years ago and finally got it down , it's fun to play left hand bang down , sore thumb and all. It's so satisfying.

[@RaptureReady2025]

Finally !!! I watched soo many KZbin videos trying to find mark king triplets and noooobody does it right..... until NOW. Thank you!! You are the BEST by a country mile!! And your an amazing teacher too! 😀🤔👌✊💥✅

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks for all of your comments Mark. Much appreciated : )

[@ToniinReyes]

This helped me so much!! Thank you!! Ive been trying to learn slap and never realized left hand was so important!

[@davidledger2282]

Hi Davey, speaking as someone who started learning Bass 5-6 years ago in my mid forties to scratch an itch that had been there since the early eighties! I would like to say a big thanks to you for spending the time sharing your skill and knowledge. This latest video with the alternate views, demonstrates how well you know how to concentrate on areas people struggle with, it has indeed helped me to iron out some problems and really focus on technique. Please keep them coming and also thanks for sharing your compositions, all of which seem to capture the essence of what I love about instrumental Bass music, all the best, Dave.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You're welcome Dave, I'm glad my tutorials have helped you out!! Cheers Davey

[@markowens902]

I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO YOU, YOU A WONDERFUL BASS PLAYER, MUCH RESPECT MATE.

[@xxRoyixx]

The Best slap bass lesson I seen!! Thanks so much!!!

[@chainsawsr7926]

i am just getting into this style of playing and find this lesson excellent. Thank you for sharing!

[@rudething4u]

L

[@nachocontrabajo6316]

Es el mejor tutorial de slap que he visto en KZbin, felicidades!!!, me ha sido muy útil

[@AttitudeCastle]

Best lesson on this style I've ever seen, all the best!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks for watching : )

[@brieziethirteen13]

I noticed in your 30funk vid how relaxed your right hand is. Sometimes I have to really pay attention so I dont fight my bass. Once I relax, it good. These are great, thank you!

[@ChazJazzNY]

Your an excellent teacher.

[@Ayosaphoenixx]

Another great lesson from CambridgeBassLessons !

[@deusesoberano.625]

I particularly, I love your tips. You are very good musician.

[@solarr2297]

Sharing knowledge is sharing love. Thank you!

[@mv9787]

"Sharing knowledge is sharing love." I will use this. Brilliantly put! :)

[@harlemreginald6175]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know a way to log back into an instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the account password. I love any tricks you can give me.

[@heathremington3903]

@Harlem Reginald instablaster ;)

[@harlemreginald6175]

@Heath Remington Thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and Im in the hacking process now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@harlemreginald6175]

@Heath Remington it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my account !

[@osXcanada]

Mark King is one of the greatest...Love the style. You my friend, are great as well! I been working on this one lesson for about 6 or 8 weeks now. I mechanically have it down, but still not the speed or the feel. Still sounds like a truck driver backing up over a trailer!? When you said hours and hours and hours, I believe you. I will not give up, as it took me two years to get comfortable with a 5 String... How the hell were you ever able to break it down from hearing or listening to it? Did Mark King sit down with you himself??. The only reason I can attempt this, is because of you, so...kudo's to you my friend!!

[@pak9633]

Good teacher I love you cambridgebasslessons

[@danielpalmersofficial]

Thank you for this video, I’ve always wanted to learn how to slap bass properly for ages. ✌️😙

[@MrArtist1971]

Absolutely awesome bro!

[@TheLuvecerviere]

That part is exactly what I'm struggling with. Thanks for your course!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Happy to help!

[@MatsEvensen]

you are totaly right that this is a most known muting what you need to play L42 songs, same is simply to make yourself a more versatile player. Mark also uses this muting on several of his finger sections. Try playing True believers With this muting, it opens up a new universe

[@paulgreenhalgh649]

By far the best explanation on you tube.

[@AlexSenichek]

Really helpful. Thanks a lot.

[@thrillaspirit]

This is it. This is How to show cocky guitarists why our instruments are also cool. I started learning the machine gunning watching this video a while ago. Thanks a lot my man!

[@michaelmegahmike3873]

great tutorial, keep up the good work, excellent.

[@kevinlynch2248]

Great lesson!

[@roderickthomas3417]

Damn thanks Coach. You are the greatest! Man I got to donate some funds to your fair. This pandemic is hendering me on some things but as soon as I get some extra I got to send you some inspiration and motivation. I greatly appreciate you. Wish you were my teacher face to face

[@fuzmaginty5822]

great tutorial in great depth

[@k60bassman]

Super merci pour le travail et le partage

[@6lillium]

Sooo helpful... Was a metal head in the early 80's , then straight to prog. I never learned to slap properly, but attacked it again in '05 when I began playing again after a15 year hiatus(& listening to MK). I also strung up a 3/4 scale bass w/piccolo strings. I noticed you playing slap on a guitar in another video, and the funny thing is ,I do this a lot an my piccolo ( lots of alternative tunings like DADA). Feels very natural! Thanks again!

[@sidneysimmons7622]

Much appreciation extended 2u 4 helping me find another important "KEY" in expressing my Bassic creativity, great teacher & most fluent tech. Keep sharing d good vibes, b blessed!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

+Sidney Simmons Thanks Sidney

[@Spaury82]

Holy Crap Dude! You're amazing... you were capable of explain the slap technique in a great way... i'm going to try it

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks for watching

[@mowvu5380]

I'd love to see you break down literally any of les claypool's ridiculous basslines. really cool channel, i like the methods

[@sstrauss415]

Thanks for the lesson. Just think, Mark King sings lead while playing this stuff! I recall seeing Level 42 opening for Steve Winwood back in the '80's. I just knew Something About You - nothing else. I was in disbelief when I saw that the lead singer was playing these bass parts.

[@grundvater]

starkes Video! Gut gemacht und erklärt. Danke.

[@wadesharp11]

Awesome lesson thanks

[@epicconcord8711]

I love bass!

[@hockley91]

Holy Smokes.... awesome!

[@briancannon8339]

Excellent

[@thierrylemetayer3371]

bravo merci pour vos conseil !!!!

[@yvandutlase7768]

nice Cambridje , THANKS BRO BASSMAN

[@anisiocs100]

Thanks a lot for all effort to bring us a so amazing technique. God keeps with you and he applaud your job

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You're welcome

[@16addam]

Stunning!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks

[@guyp3599]

Very true how a lot of tutorials are actually incorrect, so well done for being so diligent.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks : )

[@brianj.3274]

Great Lesson...Thank you. B

[@billgrey]

I agree with AttitudeCastle... best tutorial on this technique I've seen. Interesting.... some people are great marketers and great players..... but Davey is a great teacher as well as an accomplished player. Great job.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks Bill

[@thierrylemetayer3371]

wonderfull thank you

[@Tax2Me]

I was doing it all right through the 90's. Then i stopped thinking i was wrong. This video (too late, i have no hand coordination any more) vindicates me. LOL

[@PaulDino02]

Love this tutorial. Fantastic job Davey. Regards. Paul.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks Paul

[@juderaj676]

Thanks a lot ❤️

[@vkavcic6]

the best teacher.....thank you very much

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks Vladimir

[@johnshredder7078]

Great tutorial! Thanks for doing it.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You're welcome

[@avisaodoself888]

Very very good! Thanks!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Cheers Brunno

[@joegoosebass3958]

well done!

[@byronconsbass]

Thank you for this lesson sir..

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You are welcome

[@TheHenbury]

I rarely comment on videos, but felt an exception was due here. Of all the 'bass stuff' on U-tube (including SBL!) yours are by far and away the most comprehensive and patiently explained slap tutorials. As highlighted by both yourself & Scott Devine, the 'machine gun/fast crazy triplet thing' can be an exquisite tool to dig yourself a hole with if you can't play owt else!. For my money, Lessons in Love remains hardest MK line to play. Sorry Mr Pink!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

​Thanks for the great comment! Yes, I agree, Lessons in love is by far the hardest one to play, I always struggle when it comes to the guitar solo! I know what the problem is though! I don't practice enough!!!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Karsten Søndergaard kindly pointed out that this track is in E dorian, B minor, A7. Not A major which I say at the end of the lesson.

[@BassByTheBay]

CambridgeBassLessons Well, you were kind of right, too -- verse starts in E min (dorian) but ends on E7 (dominant), so A major mode can work there. Great tutorial!

[@j-bird6563]

Sounds great ,I was just wondering what you have on your thumb? Is it tape?

[@j-bird6563]

Great tutorial/Video BTW!

[@AmandaRogersarock1988]

+JD Teague Yeah, he's paying homage to Mark King. Mark uses tape on his thumb after over use at a gig. I find it gives a nice tone having the tape there as well. I'm not sure if the fellow doing this awesome demonstration always uses tape, but it's always good to have another tool in the box.

[@j-bird6563]

Amanda Rogers Yeah definitely a plus ,after hitting the side of your thumb "Slapping all night!" Now if your just playing bass and not slapping ,I couldn't see it being of any use ,but were talking about slap bass ...lol "which I have been working on and studying bassist like Victor Wooten

[@jeehbass9745]

super,bravo!!

[@winstonschwarz1636]

The first chop, you demonstrate, is also known as a machine gun triplet.

[@ylcn77ylcn]

very nice great

[@maurpine]

fantatic! thank you much

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks

[@ruckybahiano9929]

Very hard!

[@baSsDiaRy01]

niceee😍😍

[@josenunez4630]

gracias!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Babybugex]

Bad ass Fiddle!!!

[@DrTWG]

Good tip. As a guitar player primarily, my natural tendency is to mute quietly and I have to let go of that for this technique - it's not easy.

[@CFnegao]

Muito bom, valeu!

[@PieterKaan1]

I like this introduction to learning what it takes to do this. He shows it well and clear to grasp..from here its just a matter of getting it fluent and regular with the 4,8,16 and perhaps even the 32nds in timing...I think try to get the mechanics of the left and right in synch and in time at a speed you can remain clean and in time with...get the coordination between left and right to a confident level...speed will come with experience.

[@roderickthomas3417]

Yes he’s very thorough and he take his time. I save mostly all of his videos

[@ivanperezmontes7647]

Thank you

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You're welcome

[@HiepNguyen-fp3jz]

cool! I loved your videos.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks

[@pippopippa6618]

VERY GOOD

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wtfusheeple5383]

wow!

[@cesarhodriguez642]

Show de bola Good d+ 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@trumpetboss5483]

Thank u u are the best

[@cambridgebasslessons]

thanks for watching

[@cristhianrodriguez177]

Genial...

[@graemerobertson5160]

To get the left hand muted slap, try and land all four left hand fingers on the E A and D string together. I ended up sounding like I was tapping because I was hitting just the bottom E string and I got frustrated becuase none of the videos explained it.

[@jalutgerhanaskacintakujama5649]

nice video sir

[@CuzCutz]

Holy shit bro! 👍🤘

[@markbass354]

There are very few bass lines I catch on to right away but this one I seemed to get under my hands easy but has to played fast to sound right. Don't know if I'm playing it allright but it sounds pretty good . Another thing is I seem to have better control slapping with a open hand , it gives me better leverage. Thanks for your help , I like the camera angles.

[@deusesoberano.625]

puts subtitles in Portuguese (Brazil) so that some Brazilians who do not know English, follow their lessons. only a hint. thank you so much!

[@cordovaadmin3099]

thank you, it helps me big time.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You're welcome

[@elbahernandez970]

Cambridge Bass Lessons Mary cruz

[@elbahernandez970]

Mary Cruz la reina dezamora

[@wellylhakim3619]

cool :)

[@robusesutube]

ps your amazing too

[@neil2905]

fucking cool man. I love your videos.

[@danielmark1871]

that is crazy fast

[@6lillium]

Love your tutorials! Old guy fixing old problems. (Where was KZbin in the 80s!). Would love to see your take on my white whales.....Mr Pink( live album) , Eyes Waterfalling, and Pursuit of Accidents.As you have pointed out they are never the same and usually a little off on other lessons( Much like Tommy The Cat). Love slap, and all the " new" Victor and Marcus styles out there but MK is really in my wheelhouse!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Yes KZbin in the 80's would've helped me greatly! I'll take a look at Mr Pink, do you mean the live version from "A Physical Presence"? That's my favourite live album. Eyes Waterfalling is all about stamina, I'll have a go for you, never tried that one before! I've already done a tutorial of 'The Pursuit of Accidents". Look in my 'Slap bass tutorial' playlist. All the best, Davey

[@6lillium]

CambridgeBassLessons thank you! And yes, " A Physical Presence". I'm checking POA right now!

[@Size108]

Amazing tutorial. I'm only 3 minutes in and I've unlocked the magic door. All thanks to yourself & Mr. Mark King 🌟

[@markbass354]

Davie this is a blast to play , over the past month I've gotten faster but not as fast as you.I mute everything to get the motion going then slowly let go of the mute to let the strings do their job , this is addicting.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

+Mark S B. Nice one Mark, glad you're so into it!!!

[@lionelramsal7354]

Thanks for the tip 👍 you can get the bass tab for free on songster to achieve a better result.

[@vincentmarq9409]

Good video, 👍

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks Vince

[@dennistzo]

666k views, 6 years ago. Thanks for the video.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks for watching : )

[@OifelOifel]

Same teqnique les claypool uses in laquer head before verse 2... Thanks man! Your Video helped a lot!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

You're welcome and thanks for watching

[@markbass354]

Davey after hours upon hours of practicing this I finally got it down. But still not as fast as you but good enough for me.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Nice one Mark, send me a video some time so I can see how you're progressing

[@Gorby459]

I find your tutorials very clear and helpful. Any chance of a tutorial of "I wont let the Sun go down on Me" by Nik Kershaw. Just cant get the thumb verse part right. No worries if you cant, I enjoy all your lessons anyway. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Gorby459 Sure thing, I'm just finishing off some music so will get on to it straight after. I played with Nik Kershaw so I know the song well. At least I used to!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJTbiHh8ZqyNbM0

[@kirk0116]

i continue to watch this video like a 1000 times and i still suck at bass :(

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Sorry to hear that, don't give up. I give Skype lessons so you can always book a lesson and I'll see if I can help

[@jsihavealotofplaylists]

Cambridge Bass Lessons You BOOK LESSONS?! woah!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Yes I do Joshua, e mail [e-mail] if you're interested. Cheers Davey

[@TheJackJulian]

Don't watch, practice..

[@MARother]

i do not believe that Mark King is as fast as you. Greeting Michael

[@darkocuk]

Great videos all round! Thank you! Mind sharing what you are wearing on your thumb?

[@selfkindness]

This is a course waiting to happen my friend. Break it down and sell it to us.

[@bassmanjtfunk]

Their are many ways to approach the slap technique. This is just one of many. Check out Larry Graham or Louis Johnson. For a Different approach.

[@DavidGonzalez-jh7kd]

you are fucking great ,man !! know it !!

[@cambridgebasslessons]

Thanks David

[@fuzmaginty5822]

machine gun triplets.