The SLAP BASS Beginners MISTAKE (don't do this!)

[@crustyjusty7]

Shortest video I’ve ever watched on slap, and you know what? Probably learned more than all the slap videos put together. 👍

[@splitlipcooltoe]

Agreed. Made me realize everything I do is makes it much harder than it needs to be.

[@timwatkins7113]

I finally actually learned something from a Slap Bass video. God Bless the man, may he live forever.

[@guillermodelnoche]

Flipping the bass is an excellent way to practice this technique. I learned to slap from my mentor Wes Wehmiller and he suggested that to me. The thumb is your “Boo” and your fingers are your “Bick”…. Thus the “BooBick”. Your lessons are absolutely priceless mate and I truly wish I had you as a resource when I was learning bass. You are a Bass Monster!

[@randygomez9595]

good stuff for beginners Scott! The one thing I would add is I highly recommend that all beginner players learn to slap with the parallel thumb technique. Not because I think the down thumb is bad necessarily (plenty of players sound good with it), but because it limits your options for adding other techniques in the future. Like the Victor Wooten double thumb technique, for example, requires the parallel thumb technique. So if a beginner learns to play with the down thumb technique first, then wants to try learning the double thumb later, they then have relearn to play with the parallel technique first.

[@artbk]

I've been using the "bang my head against every problem" learning technique for slapping and boy, how do I wish I had seen this one sooner.... Almost all mistakes, and I've been playing bass for 15 years. Only thing I had right was eq and pickup.

[@aryder151]

I can relate to that!😅

[@doug_I_do_not_consent]

Hi Scott, this is the best slap lesson I've watched - concise and covers the two thumb positions that entire books on slap don't explain

[@hasenpfefferspokane]

This video was SO helpful! I play thumb down and have been struggling with trying to play through the string as in the up thumb technique. I knew it wasn't right, but this vid showed me what I have been waiting to see! I am relieved and can get on with getting better. The improper technique was killing my enthusiasm to practice!! Thank you so much!!

[@thebassistsoldier]

This video helped me get actually started on my slap ability, can't thank you enough Scott!

[@LilYeshua]

Thanks for clearing that up.

[@francescovelludo8398]

Hi Scott, every time I check your channel i feel like a complete beginner even if i've been playing bass for amost 10 years. Wow you really get me every time. Thanks for your work, every video is very interesting!

[@LordEradicus]

Wish I had this video 20 years ago 😄. For me, it was a lengthy trial and error after watching Mark King, Billy Gould, and others play and then fiddling around with different set-ups (strings, action, and EQ) until I got to a point where I got the slap & pop sounds I wanted.

[@jsgovind]

Nice video as always. But with the parallel/up thumb technique mentioned, you don't have to only slap through the string. Bouncing still gives a different tone. It really depends on what kind of slap sound you're going for. I really recommend playing parallel/up thumb if you ever want to transition into double thumb or more such techniques.

[@ladida7976]

I agree. My understanding is that Marcus does only play through when he needs. Wooten possibly too which his curved thrums :). Marcus otherwise plays up and bounces, it seems to me.

[@farrocha1989]

Great video and that bass is beautiful.

[@joninawhitecoat]

You say that about soloed bridge pups... Stingray slap tone though.

[@psipsitronick9250]

Just THANK YOU.

[@bendelaughter]

So much great info in such a short video

[@AndrewStopfords]

Loaded with useful information! Beautiful lesson ❤

[@devinebass]

Glad you enjoyed Andrew!! 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻

[@the.bloodless.one1312]

Just finally started learning to slap tonight, after 20 years of playing haha. This vid answered every questions I had 🥰 frickin’ love this channel!!! 🖤❤️

[@stevenpipes1555]

Thank you so much for this one. Im a guitar player who loves playing bass. I've been working on the "up thumb" for a little while now because i just learn by watching and doing and i thought my "down thumb" was just incorrect technique. Ive never seen it presented as another legitimate technique before. I'll keep working on my down thumb but now i don't feel the need to totally abandon my up thumb! Thank you and a big "up thumb"👍

[@envixity5533]

I'm trying to learn slap,so thank you for keeping it simple.

[@BenD_Bass]

Hey Scott, I just finished building my bass! Ive never played a bass before either lol. So, its time to re-watch your videos and put what I learn into practice. If I dont fall off after 6 month, I will purchase your course lol

[@marcus9312]

Man, that bass.. I have no words..☹️🤩

[@redcaprich5864]

Such good quality videos. Highly recommend to anyone picking up a bass to check out this channel. I've learned so much from it

[@stealingtomorrowband]

Totally thought you said that p***y thumb thing at 7:05 Thanks for all yhe great leasons and info on the bass and playing over the years... SBL is the best for bassists

[@pedromattos-bass]

Nice lesson, dear Scott! I still loving that F „monster“ Bass! Greetings grom Germany, Bro…many Blessings!

[@MattCaffell]

Just had a custom bass built, we used Fishman Fluence Bas Soap Bars, and they come with a preset voiocing switch, which gives you all, traditional and in the middle it gives you a “slap tone”

[@2stringsbaba]

Much love from 🇳🇬 Thanks for inspiring the youngies like me

[@jaytee5870]

I'm all about this lesson and I also play a 5 string so I have to say this is one cool looking ass bass

[@jodyaustin7907]

He's go hey Scott thanks for the video I've been playing since 92 and 47 now like rhythm rock reggae funk and blue s I had an amazing teacher in New Orleans named Jim markway. And he is definitely one of the greatest bass teachers you could ever want and I put you up there in that category too ,my girl signed me up for your course about a year ago I never did know that she did that and I didn't take any of the lessons and all that we had broken up since then but anyway she keeps telling me that all you got she got charged a bunch of money got charged a bit of money but I looked into it it was her fault she was supposed to cancel the order and it wasn't a mishap on your end to be technically honest she didn't follow simple direction but either way I didn't tell you that to complain about it . I tell everybody u know that you are you are the real deal and you are awesome ,maybe someday I can brush up on some of those lessons they never did get to watch I know if I spoke to you right now you probably okay that to redo it or whateverI I've been playing a long time and all that stuff but always been one of the better guys in my area knowing all that but I've always been one of the better guys in my area I always believe we should remain teachable, You know people believe they're in too good to learn anything and then I learn from beginners sometimes you know it's crazy you're amazing thanks for everything and you know your energy is second to none and maybe maybe someday I'll meet you you know that would be super duper maybe we can do a you know back and forth on the internet sometime maybe you can show me some you know a few pointers up in personal and I don't know my teacher gave me the chart to sit Duke and he's a little bit off from the lesson you gave answer dude I don't think it's has anything to do with maybe it's just the keys I was taught it and be flat and you know it's in c on the record and then you taught it and see and I just done the solo part I like to touch edge with you and tell you up but cuz that's the first chart I ever got my first last night and I just want to know what was the difference in it just you know your version in his version maybe you could explain that better anyway I absolutely love you have the time you wanted to call me personally 607-313-9117 my name is Jody Austin and also one more thing I wanted you to know that I send tons of people your way so I'm I'm on your side and really truly honestly thank you thank you to all the guys don't even know how much you did for them you're awesome and you have a lot to offer thanks Happy trails my friend

[@jurgenhuman8417]

Interesting to see how your technique changed. At first it was like this (bounce off the note), and less than a year later you have the "play through the string" technique. I prefer playing through and thank you for teaching me that 😊

[@devinebass]

Awesome dude, thanks for checking out the lesson!

[@soccentzulu]

You guys need to do a video featuring Tony Franklin! His playing on "Day in the Sun" with Derek Sherinian will show incredible innovation and skill on the fretless.

[@kolbola]

The bridge pickup slap also could be fine, especially if you want to play some Mark King style riffs. Your bridge pu example was a quite good Mark King Jaydee-like sound by the way.

[@jbaranowski1990]

Thanks! I have StingRay so I have only bridge pickup lol

[@zzzzzz1039]

Gotta say i love the look of that 5 string

[@cwinstongarysr.6807]

Loved the input for the slap technique. Also love the bass you used in this installment, what bass and model is it?

[@taylorangor88]

Cool..👍🏻👍🏻

[@spaceavenger3823]

Awesome great video

[@lynnturman8157]

This is all great instruction. Only thing I slightly disagree with is I think you can get a good bounce using up thumb. Playing slap is more about proper hand/wrist rotation than anything else. At least that's been my experience.

[@ladida7976]

It seems quite a few of us agree with you. Here. Also I think that a what the Marcus does. And possibly the victor...

[@battlekat4]

Slap is such a difficult technique for me personally but I will try to use some of these tips to see if they turn me into the next Larry Graham

[@apieceofgarbage7301]

I feel like slapping through the string if you slap parallel to the string isn't necessary to always do since bouncing of gives a different sound and if you play faster solos like the one in Coffe Shop for example slapping through the string will just make it unnecessarily hard without really making it sound better.

[@Saxyct]

After several years using the downward slap technique, I really want to discourage new bass players to use it. As it can be easily experienced personally or seen in videos of players using this type of technique, it creates a strong shoulder unbalance and asymmetry which becomes quite dangerous and unhealthy over time. It can create issues to one's posture and neck/back pain. When you play, look at yourself in front of the mirror and try to get a correct relaxed posture, with both shoulders at the same height, straight spine and relaxed arms. Health first guys!

[@kyledamrow8198]

That is one B E A utiful Bass Guitar!

[@ladida7976]

Hi guys. About the play through. I get why you'd want to do that to benefit from the upwards return in double thumping mouvements. But really you can use this here and then when you need it While using the bounce most of the time, no? It's a different percussion feeling and I'm pretty sure the Marcus plays this way. It seems qualifying it as a "mistake" is not quite right. What do you guys think ?

[@yuggothfungi]

Hi Scott. Maybe I missed something, but I never seen - speaking of playing techniques - anyone not just switching between, but combining them in one piece. But then I learned about Clay Gober from Polyphia. His playing style is somewhat unique. Can you expand on that a bit (ideally, talk to him)?

[@ladida7976]

Hi. I be never seen Marcus nor Victor switch form downwards to upwards. Also you can't do double thumb playing downwards.

[@C0urne]

3:55 Slap bass intro for 9 To 5.

[@thijs199]

lol I cant find scotts bass lesson parody's that would be so great

[@naufaladen2401]

Nice bracelet by the way 😁

[@AtomizedSound]

What about parallel motion in slapping? Bounce against the string too for effectiveness?

[@JosephGallagher]

I've held off slap & pop from all the bass w@nkery around it, but gotta admit this video made me wanna go start practicing it

[@X-EvilAsh]

It's honestly not that hard! Just go for it!! I think after I had been playing bass for a few months I decided to practice slap. And at first I started off by trying to play higher ground by red hot chili peppers, can't stop, and dark necessities are also songs that I was practicing when I was when I was learning slap. Just practice playing songs that have slap bassines, and you'll eventually get the hang of it, and get better and better

[@stelapaya]

Thanks for the nice video. I seem to get a metallic twang with the string hitting the fret (last fret I think), whichever thumb position I use. Doesn't sound anything like the normal slap sound. Any advice? Getting frustrating.

[@ineedcoffee2575]

That's a pretty bass!

[@danielsolanos]

Hi Scott, have you ever play the Chapman Stick?

[@Mexxx65]

What type of glove is on your fretting hand Scott? rubber or cloth? Inexpensive supermarket rubber gloves?

[@SimonBrisbane]

Paleeeese! I make ALL the mistakes. You can’t stop me!

[@KALFU]

Se agradece los subtitulos en español,,, no entiendo nada ✨✌🏽🕶️

[@kodykindhart5644]

Scott how do you get your basses sounding so loose I’ve set up as low as possible and switching to round core vs hex core made a big difference I love fender strings now Was playing rotosound then Dunlop mm stainless then daddario xl Back to fender they get me the closest

[@kodykindhart5644]

Also fairly happy with my pickups and how they sound and function

[@kodykindhart5644]

I have watched your rasp video which actually helped a lot after learning how to actually do a set up

[@blackfeather35]

Hi Scott! I'd like to know if the bass-line to H.E.R's Damage song is slap bass or not and I sooooo wish you could do a bass lesson on that song pleaseeeeee.

[@blackfeather35]

Hey Scott, just now saw your message but not sure where I’m supposed to send a reply/message to🙂

[@devinebass]

Hi! We are sorry, but it was a scam account pretending to be us :(. We've reported the account to YT and banned them from the channel. Sorry about that!!

[@blackfeather35]

@@devinebass Thank you😁!!!

[@rogerruedemann133]

when will Scott make that Steve Harris video?

[@jobbo89]

Music man (who are known for slap) only have one pickup in the bridge position and still sound good?

[@itsmebeter3538]

“don’t solo the bridge pickup” les claypool rn: “”

[@andrewhowsmon6216]

I think of up thumb and down thumb as two different techniques. The sound is similar, but the motion is very different. I also like to keep my thumb super loose for down thumb, which doesn't work at all for up. Am I crazy?

[@ladida7976]

You're not crazy. But if you really get into slap you're going to change later down the line because thumb up allows for double thumbing technique which thumb down doesn't Scott did have to change. Took him a good year to get back to his level.

[@J_David_Worthington_III]

Great video Scotty! Hey. What is the brand and model of the bass guitar you used in this video? I have to get one of those! Hey, for those who are not members of Scotty 's bass lessons, check it out because it's awesome! I am not being paid to say that and infact I pay for my membership just like everyone else!

[@baguette3000-V2]

This is fi yi !!

[@roberthc.paredes7885]

I always see your videos and I thank you very much but it would be good if you put subtitles so as not to lose the information thank you very much greetings from Lima - Peru

[@X-EvilAsh]

You can turn on subtitles through KZbin.. at the top of screen there should be a white square with the letters "cc" on it. That's the subtitles

[@roberthc.paredes7885]

@@X-EvilAsh subtitles in spanish 🙏

[@X-EvilAsh]

@@roberthc.paredes7885 you should be able to change the language

[@DarkShaman667]

I play bass for fun and I'm having the following problem: I scrape my nail wall and nail on the next higher string, when I pop. Any tips?

[@rudygracia5573]

Don't spend too much time popping the 2nd(D) string.Focus on the first one(G)for awhile.THAT'S gonna be the one you'll mainly be using for pop.Also,pop with your middle finger,not index.(or alternate).I learned this recently,makes a difference.+Your popping fingers won't get SO sore!

[@DarkShaman667]

@@rudygracia5573 I'll try incorporating the middle finger. That's going to be interesting. Thanks!

[@DarkShaman667]

@Kevin Michael Not quite sure what you mean. More meaty part? Maybe I'll try angling my hand a bit and curl the fingers less? Can you point me to a video? (or make one yourself even?) Thanks for the tip though. I hope I prove too!

[@Captain_Rhodes]

i dont play slap ever. It sounds crap on my bass. I once used someone elses bass that had a low action and horrible new strings. I played some slap for a laugh and it instantly sounded good. So basically setup is very important. Trouble is I hate the slap bass setup

[@antoinepicard5799]

"Devine" actually means "guess" in french.

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

I wouldn't teach beginners how to slap on 5-string bass without dot markers tho 😃😉

[@sequoia1171]

I can rock the down thumb, but the up thumb technique has never really worked that well for me. Just feels unnatural to twist my hand around like that

[@ladida7976]

Then you cannnevwr access the double thumbing technique of Marcus and victor ... limiting but ... Question of choice...

[@sequoia1171]

@@ladida7976 there's no choice in it really. I started slapping 30 years ago and when I did it I learned it wrong. My thumb simply doesn't do that. I'll never be able to stroke strum with my thumb through a note, but that's okay honestly because the only one that can actually do that well is Victor Wooten and everyone else sounds like doo doo

[@ladida7976]

@@sequoia1171 It's fine there's plenty to do without it indeed :). However Marcus popularised 2T before Victor. And is totally awesome at it.

[@sequoia1171]

@@ladida7976 yeah it's just weird to me to twist my wrist so that my thumb is pointing upward.

[@sequoia1171]

@@ladida7976 you're right, I might be being a little hyperbolic about it, Marcus is good at it too. But then everyone else is just imitating them and poorly

[@warburgaby]

Did I get it right? For a great slap you need HIGH strings. Right?

[@McDoinky]

Low action = low strings

[@warburgaby]

@@McDoinky ..."isn't crazy high".... ok, I didn't understand anything. But with the low action I only hear the clank of the string hitting the frets :((((

[@McDoinky]

@@warburgaby Have a professional set your bass up and play lighter when you’re not slapping. The action should be accommodated to your playing. High action means harder playing and vice versa.

[@lynnturman8157]

Either too high OR too low means you won't get a proper bounce.

[@jodyaustin7907]

Just want to fix a little typo that last comment there I had the greatest teacher not having lol in this type there I had the greatest teacher in the world in New Orleans

[@Ian-io3yt]

No, I've not been watching Flea nor Bootsy Collins

[@johnh3733]

You forgot davie504 at the start of your list

[@roberthc.paredes7885]

subtitles in spanish for the latin community please

[@canvoodoo]

Also better of learning slap on a 4 string.

[@graemerobertson5160]

Some very good stuff here, but yet again you talk about "slapping through the string". As I said before if you literally slapped through it would be a pluck and there would be no slap because you wouldn't be banging the string against the neck and frets. Such a pity you don't make more effort to explain this properly. If I was a pro teacher I would use diagrams with angles.That lack of detail and flossing over it with a flawed analogy puts me of signing up, because I worry there might be other techniques you don't explain very well.

[@bapt_andthebasses]

The EQ tip is stupid and doesn't apply to every basses/pickups/strings/amplifiers/sound signatures/effects used. Avoid telling how to EQ, please/

[@McDoinky]

Yeah Only the action tip is relevant

[@McDoinky]

@@markkeeler584 It’s irrelevant in this video because it’s not universal law. The eq’ing varies depending on equipment and surroundings.

[@siryurtle]

@@markkeeler584 it's a good place to start to train your ear at least. Set it to his suggested eq and slap around a little, then set everything back to 12 oclock and slap around and see which you like better on your rig