SLAP BASS... but NOT as you know it!?

[@Brookzplayzmuzic]

Yeah Vic has been doing this since " classical thump " except he will incorporate the middle finger as well.. Vic is top 10 of all time. Hands down.

[@gregoryjohnson4319]

Brooks Smith My sentiments exactly. Vic has mastered that tech. I've actually seen him use all his fingers. Have a awesome day Brooks.

[@davidpinto2197]

I get the rhythmic explanation, re the accents, etc., but I really wanted him to break down exactly HOW he does the physical part. he never discussed the explicit right hand technique.

[@PorkBjork]

He basically pushes through with the thumb and then has an upstroke back through the string with his thumb followed by a pop.

[@PorkBjork]

Look up victor wooten double thumbing, its just that with a pop after each upstroke. it's still really hard to do.

[@davidpinto2197]

@@PorkBjork Hey man... thanks for responding... My comment was from 7 years ago. Glad to say I have since nailed the double thumb/pluck technique... :) Have a great day!

[@PorkBjork]

​@@davidpinto2197 You too mate :)

[@edburdo]

I think I first saw this technique from Victor Wooten in his Groove Workshop... he mentions how much time he spent figuring it out, and then making it work for him.... cool technique...

[@emptyinside1991]

His style of slap bass is the same technique I've always used, I was never taught how to play bass so I just taught myself

[@clefdefa]

Remind me of how Victor Wooten plays Classical thumb. Slap ghost note followed by a hammer-on then up-slap so it creates somekind of triplets without the classic slap sound

[@PaulBadman]

That drummer tho!

[@santiagomendoza2052]

kenny grohowski, amazing drummer

[@AnderDoUrden]

holy cow indeed

[@williecroy1723]

I dig this so much. Very cool. I'm pretty much double thumbing and a pluck making the triplet on a single string and making my own grooves. On the 4s he looks like he's doing a index middle finger pluck but 5s and up I'm still working on. I seriously love that I saw this video.

[@doxx2427]

Some ppl are born with a bass in their hands. However, *Legend has it* This bass was born with Steve in its hands.

[@jesse_cole]

Rashy Doxx Well that was dumb.

[@tallteesxslapzxaxisfootbal3511]

Rashy Doxx fail

[@basspracticeraw7029]

No, that was funny!

[@hahabass]

I'm with you, bass practice raw.

[@PneumaticFrog]

Basses don't have hands

[@GamePlayMetal]

It looks really similar to Tosin Abasi's finger guitar playing

[@MellonVegan]

Yeah, it's the thumping technique that I think Tosin got from Evan Brewer and Evan got it either from Regi Wooten or from Victor who, in turn, learned it from his brother as a kid.

[@jamesgill6189]

it legit just is

[@godwinobas]

Who dafuq is Tosin Abasi?

[@MellonVegan]

Progressive metal (and mostly 8 string) guitarist, founding member of Animals as Leaders, a prog band that has gained quite the reputation in recent years for their technical ability and unique songwriting. The thumping technique has become an integral part of their music. Here's an example from one of their songs at 1:15 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6uafaqreZ2coLM

[@StrangerPage]

Yep, this is literally the same as Tosin's thumping. For those that want to check it out, I recommend physical education or Arithmophobia by Animals As Leaders

[@Bassic778]

Steve Jenkins is a BEAST any way you look at it! A BEAST!!!

[@olymoon2008]

Interesting, but we need you Scott, to give us detailed method to learn this. With this video I only understood it exist, but I'm unable to make it mine LOL

[@olymoon2008]

Thank you, I see it's explained with more details in this video.

[@joycesanders4898]

..give it 6 months...of 6-10 hour days.(yes,...this shit takes work..)

[@griffinsemple]

He's so blazed!

[@angelc.4422]

5:19 hahaha

[@scarab944]

Love the sound of this technique. Yeah, it's basically Vic's double thumb hammer pluck technique (his example even sounds like the main riff from "Me & My Bass Guitar"), but the way Steve uses it (more muted and right hand closer to bridge) sounds different compared to Vic, even though they're doing more or less the same thing.

[@ChizuMcCheems]

I studied with Steve Jenkins at Berklee in '04, he is unreal at that technique, him and Matt Garrison did a duet and it was the sickest thing ever!

[@waterwulf]

Scott, sorry to say but this technique is old news. Wooten has been doing this since forever and there is a video on youtube of him demonstrating this technique and how to do it a lot better than how this guy describes it. The technique has now even been adopted by guitarists like Tosin Abasi. Its essentially double thumbing (using your thumb as a pick) and adding your fingers to include plucked notes. The technique really opens up when you can pluck and double the thumb on the same string as well as over all 4. Good for triplets and general fast playing. Also gives a very different tone than with just fingers.

[@waterwulf]

If you need any more help with learning it scott, Check the vid out by wooten where he demonstrates it very slowly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i16xZmemZ76fh8k

[@jamiebeattie8852]

Hey Scott is there any chance you could do a lesson about how to stop your bass feeling like it has a lot of tension when you play? I have played other people’s basses and some of them are just so easy to play and I play much better on them (mostly found it with stingray basses). Is it to do with price range, action, string gauge, scale length, bridge etc? I feel like my playing may be limited on my Mexican jazz and I wanted to see if anything could be done about it! Thanks very much!

[@sp4gsus]

The technique is not clearly explained or showed at all therefore it has zero teaching value. Looking at the comments most people are mystified. What it looks like to me is mainly triplet groupings...first note is downstrike of right thumb, second is left hand hammer on, third is right hand pluck. "Here it is a little slower..." budapah budapah budapah budapah!

[@sp4gsus]

gunryobassist thanks for this valuable comment! I'm glad my observation that the technique, provided in an INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO, and repeatedly demonstrated but not explained or TAUGHT, gave you a reason to spew forth your eloquent ramblings which I'm sorry to tell you nobody really cares to hear, but that's ok, you obviously got pleasure from speaking them, so I hope you feel better and I hope you're enjoying your stratospheric position above us all as I presume a master of this very useful technique in practical bass playing! So tell me gunryobassist where can we lowly whining untalented and lazy amateurs watch your magnificence so we might drool at your display of virtuosity and pay proper homage to your musical superiority?

[@jackzango427]

Yep, not everyone that plays great can teach well. This is a perfect example. He explained nothing about what his plucking hand was actually doing. Wasn't that the point?

[@Rok_Piletic]

@@sp4gsus technique on guitar kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH7ZaWppbqenn6M at 7:10

[@nickgarnero9843]

I agree somewhat but players can still internalize the percusive sounds and attempt to try it. I am most curious if there is poping happening with his index finger.

[@congerscott6064]

I tried exactly what you just said and you are exactly right, it took me about 3 hours to get my speed down but you hit the nail on the head, thanks, SCOTT.

[@XxonedayafterxX]

Thanks SCOTT FROM SCOTTS BASS LESSONS for another great video. This helped me a lot to develop more my thing. I have been watching and implementing your videos for years. They've helped me in soamy areas of my playing, I love it.

[@toamataafa4647]

Scott..you're definetly right..it's not the physical part of it but the mental part lol..this guy's good.

[@willahumma]

Everyone is making the point that this is Wooten's technique, and they're absolutely right. Steve even uses the term 'double thumbing' which I believe was coined by Victor and his brother Reggie. However, Steve never said that he invented the technique. He simply states that he wanted to find a way of using it that got it away from the typical slap aesthetic. He mentions the whole 'slap backlash' thing. The whole point of this video is to show the technique being played back near the bridge rather than near the neck. Like he said, it gives some of the percussive elements of slap style but with a different flavour. For those of you saying that Steve didn't break the lesson down properly, watch Victor's videos on basic double-thumbing. After that you'll be able to understand how Steve is applying it. I've only been playing bass a couple of years and I'm a huge Vic fan but I think what Steve is doing here is brilliant.

[@makumbolindo3566]

Well that´s sounds like Candombe rhythm from Uruguay, nice. I do the same things but with index finger and middle finger, something I´ve learned from a Uruguayan drummer he showed me in earlies 80 i could made but i did not further developed it.

[@accesstv]

Beautiful technique man I love it and this helps me in my arranging of melodies, beats.And its lends to numerous different combination of notes and various beats.Awesome thank you man.I look at my Fender jazz bass now with great expectation.

[@hailholyqueen]

Love your videos. I would love for you to feature Louis Johnson and his unorthodox thumb-over- the-neck fretting technique, especially the solo from "stomp". I've seen plenty of cover videos but no one really nails it like I know you can!

[@mraybeck]

Wow he's brilliant! He makes it look so easy but that thumb and fingerwork requires a lot skill and practice. Amazing!

[@Synequanon]

Very impressive ! Reminds me of Alain Caron's technique except he is playing on the fretboard instead of the bridge pickup. I was in awe when I heard UZEB play and that was way before Bela Fleck and The Flecktones became popular.

[@scottnewellguitar]

Steve is a SICK player with incredible time and feel - that’s why he’s on here and you haters aren’t. Stop nitpicking about who did what when and how and go practice and get your own thing together.

[@joycesanders4898]

👏...from the world's worst ex hater...also, the cure for hate....practice,.if the bass/guitar or both not a permanent part of your upper body, then your opinion not valid (that kinda sounds hater, but in my hay day could have done worse).🎵💗🎸🖤🎓🤘

[@edwardotapperino97]

I started doing this muted bridge-slapping about a year ago to give a little more honk in the slap line...though not as insanely as Jenkins, but it really isn’t anything all that new... But I also find it kind of funny that Jenkins references slap from the 90’s and how it became taboo. But that was 20 Years ago and slap-playin seems to have undergone a reawakening, and people love it...even if they say they don’t.

[@khronscave]

"Steve Jenkins, doing HIS thing"? Didn't Victor Wooten come up with this thing? And that looks and sounds a lot like Tosin Abasi's "thumping" technique :)

[@Nimsh-]

Tosin Abasi was my first thought as well seeing that

[@xXBiShOXx]

That would be because Tosin Abasi's "Thump" was borrowed from the idea of double thumb slap style. Idk the story behind Tosin starting to use that technique but it is functionally the same as double thumb and double thumb has been around for a lot longer.

[@khronscave]

I just found the story (or at least one of its iterations) - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnrHq6Wgfq6hprc

[@Natefunk49]

Victor Wooten, I went to a clinic of his in Louisville Kentucky in the early 90's and he was doing all of this stuff,plus triple thumb techniques. Steve is an amazing player, but you should have mentioned Victor Wooten,cause if he picked up a technique from you, he would have acknowledged you!

[@xXBiShOXx]

The thing is that it was never implied that Steve invented double thumb, Steve's thing is doing doing it much closer to the bridge to get a more muted sound than the all out slap sound, as he explained in the video.

[@basspracticeraw7029]

This was a thrill to listen-to, even though I'm not sure I will ever use it.

[@Pablotrejoastorga]

I think the idea behind what is explained is to try to understand how it is done. and from there take an inspiration to use it personally. steve explains the technique very well. now logically which magician is impossible to explain in more detail since it is their secret and magicians do not reveal their secrets.

[@mikeharnett2410]

Isn't this why we have drummers? I much prefer the clear ringing tones of a good bass, I'll leave this stuff to the kids, while I concentrate on playing music.

[@freddubose8539]

I don't care who came up with it, to be able to do it is the point! You sir are a beast!!!! Thanks for the video

[@willb3698]

Larry Graham - he was always down the bridge end. Mind you he terrorised the instrument. Can't say this particular player moves me in any way, which is rare, in fact I have never heard of him - but he's obviously extremely capable with good timing and theory. I paid more attention to the drummer

[@petegreenfield8366]

Fabulous player!

[@mojito6629]

Isn't that almost like Victor Wooten, albeit done on the bridge pickup instead of near the neck end? What's the different? And I think the sound is better when done near the neck end.

[@Diispaceyone]

is there lessons on the sbl academy about building embellishment techniques like hammer ons, sliding, pull-offs and so forth?

[@fanecamp7082]

This is something that Damian Erskine haș been doing for quite a while. Damian’s chops are insane! Are you planning any lessons with him?

[@iansutton2218]

Hey, question for ya: Is is better to do a do it yourself bass setup (tension ride/action height/intonation), or just pay a person who knows what they're doing to do it.

[@renegadenotehead8704]

What a neat little technique for the toolbox :)

[@turbonico]

I’ve never considered playing this way, it seems very convenient but needs some practice thought. Thanks !

[@randyclere2330]

What a great player!

[@daviddesmond2143]

To me, the best bass line is at 3:57 where it is basic and a foundation. With all the extra notes the bass line gets overly complicated. In most band situations, I don't think I would ever need the complex version.

[@basssssline]

Wow awesome technique, thanks for this!

[@LivingUpstate]

I don'y know how this lesson was but its a sick concept. I watch Tosin Abasi do it on the 8 string Guitar. super sick. I didnt know others were doing it.

[@highlandhousestudio6638]

Wooten Brothers man!!! Victor Wooten learned it from his older brother Regi and has been doing this technique forever..

[@bolttracks]

Yo Scott, you don't have to minimize all those windows :D On a mac, you can just swipe between multiple desktops

[@dropclutch1]

Steve Jenkins is a fricken beast!

[@gkouba]

That is insane. Oh yeah gonna try it!. Might take a few years. I don't sleep with my bass like you guys do. :-) Dang wish I could play full time and make $$. Stuck in IT.

[@gkouba]

playing part time for fun I mean

[@ryker6richard]

that was incredible, both the bass and drummer..............

[@davidhammers9708]

kenny grohowski is a badass drummer

[@devinebass]

Yeah Dave... he's a MONSTER player man! :)

[@fifasbassrules2413]

Awesome stuff! Thank you both Scott for uploading this and Steve for sharing the knowledge!

[@kevgamble]

It's an interesting technique (and physical achievement), but I actually prefer the sound of the same part played with traditional finger-plucking & muting technique (R. Prestia, etc.), which Jenkins does a little hint of when demonstrating.

[@TiqueO6]

I think I saw clearly at 6:10 that on the 4 note part he's using the second finger on the right hand for the last of the 4 notes, maybe it's clear in the 1st example but otherwise hard to tell.

[@scarab944]

Correct. Pretty clear that he's using the 2nd finger for the last quadruplet note at 4:36.

[@BurntBridges]

Kind of like how Victor Wooten plays

[@michibassdeva]

Kenny Grohowsky, what a fantastic drummer!

[@babyboi98]

Victor Been doing this... and I’ll tell you who else... Bill Dickens!!! Sat down with him One on One, 9 years ago and he was doing this exact technique!

[@Pudsy440]

Wicked technique!!

[@whatxanswer]

It is thumping. Pioneered by the Victor Wooten but utilized in a lot of genres. Bassists like Killian Duarte (Scale the Summit, Angel Vilvadi, Abiotic, etc.) and Jared Smith (Archspire). This technique is also used by guitarists like Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders).

[@edwinjones3809]

Pioneered By Larry Graham.

[@jordangast]

Scott, if you were in New Orleans and wanted to recommend a classy jazz joint to visit, where would it be? Looking for a place that would feature the likes of you! Thanks in advance, I'm here for 3 more days. Cheers!

[@bass_backupvocals]

Insane bass playing 🤘🏻🙌🏼👌

[@KhalilImani]

Is the tuning different? Like.. He tune his Fender JB up half step (G#-D#-A#-F) which I found kinda unique.. CMIIW

[@zsoltjuhasz7042]

Thats pure madness

[@paladin17t]

I don't understand: are any RH fingers other than the thumb involved here? Is the "pop" thing happening?

[@la196]

Brilliant!

[@Mrpotatoheady]

Something that Victor Wooten has done and been showing since the 80’s. Just watch super bass solo technique or bass day 98 interviews. As well as Adam Nitti.

[@mojomanxero8632]

I think it's broke down very elegantly, it will just take time to get it right. Slap pick pick, it's hard but doable. And if Tosin Abasi can do it on guitar surely we can do it on bass.

[@BasVer]

Wow, I’m totally missing what he is doing. Is he using his thumb to hammer or to mute ? Looks like muting to me, but where are the other nites coming from ? Seems to be happening under his hand (nit visible to the camera)...

[@Felipe_A_Torres]

I'm confused too, he didn't explain very well what he was doing with the right hand. Maybe I'm too beginner to understand...hahaha.

[@javierhumbertowolnitzkywen4918]

Bas Verkooijen I'd say he is slapping with his thumb, then pulling with his index finger and then slapping back with his thumbnail. Anyways, I totally agree this is not properly explained, and I would have to figure out myself how to do quadruple or higher figures. I'd say you should try also this, watch some Victor Wooten in the way, and come out with your own technique

[@benstotts3897]

Watch Victor Wooten explain this method here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i16xZmemZ76fh8k

[@javierhumbertowolnitzkywen4918]

ben stotts, I'd say it's not the exact same technique. Because Victor Wooten uses the pull with the index at the end instead of in between. Would you agree? Anyways, Wooten is a far better teacher.

[@gkouba]

yup. hard to see what he is doing. His slow is my fast. Maybe you could break it down more, Scott?

[@evanfromvent4419]

What amp do you use

[@HansMartinMosner]

He's using the word "slow" with a meaning that's completely new to me :-)

[@apricity4290]

Pretty sure this is just vic Wooten's technique

[@3143-b9m]

that's the first thing i thought.why is this considered now such a new mindblowing technique, when victor wooten is doing it for 40 years, and had improvised with it countless times and created songs.lol

[@keemagngarayngay272]

his teaching skill is on the -99999 level

[@callumwilson2439]

Isn't this double/thumbing(thumping?)? AKA dat Wooten technique?

[@ianboylan1981]

The hardest part is the muting and Dynamics really. The actual technique looks like he's just hammering on and doing a double thumb for a triplet. I do this as an exercise sometimes and do the muting (but the muting while maintaining this constant triplet can be difficult).

[@KadeP05]

Im learning bass and have been for a year and im still trying to play with walking bassline sort of thing with my fingers . Eventually i will get it. But its tricky

[@madamebin1914]

flamethrower4928 you can do it dude. Good practice is literally just 12 bar blues with a backing track. Super straightforward, simple to learn, steady pace, good practice.

[@devinebass]

Keep groovin man - you'll get it! :)

[@bloophero]

Similar to Tom Jenkinson's style of playing (aka Squarepusher)

[@dropkicksmurfy8144]

yep...got it! (It sounds like I am playing C cord the whole time...but, I'm close.) I may subscribe, so we can converse about technique and such. You know...for science, and stuff amongst peers.

[@dropkicksmurfy8144]

This is the best "pep talk" ever.

[@shawncarson5930]

When he is doing the triplets, is he doing double thumb-finger or thumb-double finger?

[@scarab944]

(2 years later) Looks like he's doing double thumb-finger on the triplets, then double thumb index-ring finger on the quadruplets.

[@vince8081]

steve you're terrifying good

[@beltranbass4672]

Ami me parece Buena técnica. 🎸👍😁

[@j-bird6563]

Reminds a lot of the double thumb technique used by the great Victor Wooten and I'm not really sure why ,but Wooten's video of him doing his double thumb technique came to me a lot easier than most🤷 I've always played Drums so I've always been drawn to percussive/slap style bass playing. I never used a pic on bass ,because I like the fingerstyle/slap/tap and tap is a technique that has been really hard for me ,even the "easier tap for a beginner" ,but I picked the Victor Wooten double thumb technique faster compared to other slap bassist who I consider far more skilled at slap along with other percussive style bass technique's. I'm just having a super hard time picking up Tap on a bass. I listen to Charles Berthoud if I'm even saying this last name right ,but I rank him up there with the best solo bassist and honestly just started watching his channel about a year ago ,but he makes pretty much any bass playing look easy and his tap skill is on another level than most others I've heard and while very inspiring ,but at same time I can't help ,but wonder if I could ever achieve the level of skill he has achieved ,but I'll keep on trying , honestly I'm still working on making my slap style of playing better from several different aspects. I will definitely try this demonstrated in this video!

[@uber-cg8vq]

Can you do Rickenbacker 4001 vs 4003?

[@ferchu84777]

Can you tell me your bass brand?

[@yourunclehank1]

Abasi, Wooten ect. Even Geddy does a slight double thumb like this that he picked up from Claypool.

[@Nivenization]

Thank you.

[@jamessmith-zk4co]

I can't recall when slap was frowned up by everyone. There have always been people that didn't like slapping just like there are people that don't like bassist to use picks.I've always played the way that I like no matter what the popular consensus is.

[@devinebass]

I remember it vividly - there was certainly time where slap was the coolest thing ever and every record released had some dude slapping like crazy on it, but then there was the obvious push against it and it was viewed as kinda out of date a cheesy... I'm guessing because it was so overused at one point. I see saw the same thing happen with guitar players too... in the 80's it was all about blazing fast solo's and tapping, then there was an obvious push against that as the grunge scene emerged and also the indie scene over here in the UK - there wasn't a guitar solo in site, and suddenly mondo blazing guitar solos where kinda viewed as uncool. It's just fashion. And now, it's all evened out somewhat as the scene and "music fashion" is much more of a melting pot with the emergence of the internet. For me, I love this newer scene as it's created a free platform for every artist... amazing musicians that record companies would have never looked at, now can get their music and art out into the world. Sure, it does comes with it's drawbacks, but that's another conversation. Groove on brothers and sisters! :)

[@GeoffN]

Impressive - but not sure how useful this would be in a band context...

[@ronniecraft3895]

so cool ,but may take forever to learn !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@IAMMASED]

So sick

[@MrCardman12345]

Dude really just played some Wooten techniques and still calls it his own invention

[@ReginaldPlop]

It's like tosins technique on the guitar incorporating double thumb with additional fingers

[@beck_tybg]

This reminds me a lot of Victor Wootens slap technique

[@Tax2Me]

Wait. What? You cannot figure this out? I do not have a bass anymore and I am not producing bass teaching techniques materials but please, this sooooo easy. Any 5 year old can do it. Specially after Steve’s breaks down the sequence.

[@brettmarlar4154]

I can see why you're struggling with it. He really isn't breaking down what he's actually doing with each hand. He's more showing than telling what he's doing. At least from this video. If within the actual course, he's goes into more detail, then it just be the new pathways your brain has to make that is the source of your frustration.

[@FilipCordas]

It seams to me you need to have your action super low for this to work?

[@scottybeasley3995]

About Steve.....He can tell his students...Anytime you're putting something important together, it's almost always gonna be messy, UNTIL the end result...OooYeah !....Also, his "specialized" techniques are quite songworthy in my humble opinion..... With songs like, "Higher Ground" by Stevie Wonder(original version) one appropriate selection for his muted slap bass !

[@donaldbest7621]

His thumb looks very relaxed

[@JessiesMusic]

ey Scott...can you feature @karelhonassan for a slap bass lesson about his 5 note slap rearrangement..

[@LinuxManUK]

i've been playing bass for about 30 years, and my basses never have that nice sharp, mettalic slappy sound, i tried Trace Elliots, Ols valve amps, preamps- EQ's compressors, DI into mixers, 6-strig amps, brand new strings (helped a LOT) but my p-bass copy doesn't have that sound, my nice old Peavey 4 string doesn't either, but pickups are admitedly weak on that, and tried altering my technique, the tone isn't dreadful, but it's never got that 'special' zing to it.. i gave up, because i find it hard to describe, to add insult to injury however, some of us had a jam in a dusty old 2nd hand music store, the instruments were not great, nor were the amps of course, but this (what looked crappy) blue metal flake bass with tired looking heavy strings on it, had the magic sound, and my mate who was with me saw me smile, as hea heard it too, i so wish i could get my head around it, because the smile lasted hours as i knew it wasn't my playing that wasn't giving me the clean, metallic sound.. i keep thinking of a J bass, or one of those Music Man sub basses perhaps, or something, but a little pricey, if they don't play how i want.. god knows what's going on.. but thanks for the tips, i can only wish my slap / pop tone was as nice, it's so unpleasing - i stopped trying, it was disheartening :(

[@micktomazou]

Wicked...but I hate you!! My afternoons will be taken up for the next few weeks/months trying to emulate this...

[@devinebass]

Lol... epic comment! Mine too ;)

[@donutdanph]

is that thumb down ,up pluck?