Top 3 Slap Bass Problems And How To Fix Them!

[@reybalangue9829]

mark I'm a long time bass player ,and I've .never seen a bass player who teach some technique as detailed, as clear and organize kind of teaching as you are .I've seen and listen to many of them is not as convincing as you are so I have learned a lot from you and like every body else say "Thank so Much" and I will continue watching

[@talkingbasslessons]

Thanks a lot!

[@Yokai.Wakukhan]

No

[@RobertWadlow292]

@@Yokai.Wakukhan Yes

[@L30kid479]

Easter Egg: He plays the intro that you hear in every talkingbass video at 2:50. It looks unreal lol

[@scottbulmer]

Mark, you are such an incredible talent. Fantastic musicianship, technique and incredibly gifted in communication skills, explaining complex concepts in a very down to earth, understandable way. Thanks for sharing your passion with this community!

[@robwassell]

I love Mark's style. Straight down to business, no messing around, just first-class, professional bass teaching.

[@apostoliagkolfinopoulou3776]

You saved me ! You are the only one explaining the mistakes thank God!

[@Spiceyspiney]

Brilliant - thank you. Now I have just treated myself to my first new bass in over 20 yes, I am determined to master slapping!

[@Spiceyspiney]

@@joeyvitale3241 absolutely love my bass, still can't slap.... 😂

[@jery3385]

@@Spiceyspiney what bass do you have?

[@jery3385]

@@Spiceyspiney what bass do you have

[@Spiceyspiney]

@@jery3385 My first bass was an Aria Pro II, but I now have a Jackson Concert Bass

[@jery3385]

@@Spiceyspiney ah i see,so from burton to ellefson. Also,for slapping, it's all in the twist of the wrist.

[@boseifrit5480]

2:45 ay I can play that Yay I've accomplished something

[@illord457huber3]

Bro congrats

[@malcelinho]

I always wanted to hear the introduction groove...man, is awesome to hear *and* to watch

[@simplezgoof]

Great videos, unlike a certain bass youtube channel who makes the video 30 minutes long to explain something that would take 5 minutes

[@Mitri_the_teifling]

Usmaan Mohmood *cough*scottsbasslessons*cough*

[@PneumaticFrog]

Solaris yeah like Scott's a lad but I don't like his format

[@ghislaingautier1988]

Mark, you have just unlock my slap. I had old string mounted and after you video i immediately changed it with the spare strings i have been keeping there for months. Keep it up. You actually teach bass playing. You know what are the problems met by who is learning and work on that. Keep it up dude

[@vaninav3934]

You are an awsome bass tutor!! Thank you so much ( I am one of these still having to look where I am going with the thumb with the A string. Thought it was bad practice to look at the thumb rather than fretting hand, feeling much better now!). Oh, thanks so much 😊

[@sbdreamin]

I’m trying to figure out the best way to setup my bass for slap, but don’t understand one thing: is the string supposed to hit the frets when you slap it? Or does the thumb contacting the string make the slap sound without it needing to hit the frets?

[@jareddavis950]

Changed my strings after watching this video! It really does help!

[@himanishchakraborty5153]

Very nice and instructive.... there were so many things i was doing wrong. Thank you!!

[@tay1545]

don't change the style of these videos please, hate other bass 'lesson' videos that give a vlog for the first 10 minutes then start the lesson....

[@talkingbasslessons]

The lessons will always have the same style. I've kind of developed my own look for the brand so I'd be silly to change it.

[@ryanhale5010]

*cough SBL

[@ThatsPety]

FAFW REEE lol I think we all knew who you were talking a shot at

[@jh61]

Ryan Hale zinh

[@aHalfaMongrel]

I'd love to get your take or break down of Silly Putty .. any version .. they all snap !

[@koteynikoi-kotei9301]

It's all your fault Mark, thanks to you I started learning how to slap this year!

[@talkingbasslessons]

Sorry about that!

[@X-EvilAsh]

it's been 2 years, you should be very good by now

[@graemerobertson5160]

One point about Ghost notes - it took me ages to stop mine sounding like real hammer on notes. I think it has been glossed over in a number of tutorials. I ended up working out for my self that to get the muffled dead sound, you have to mute the string with at least two fretting fingers.

[@talkingbasslessons]

That's right but you shouldn't be actively trying to 'do' ghost notes. It's way too much to think about. Don't think of them as notes. The section of the video devoted to my 'home position' should be all you need to do. The muted position with all 4 fingers down is the ghost note. You don't change the hand. Just keep them all laid there deadweight. If you treat your home position as a default go-to position then you can play ghost notes without doing anything then you actively lift the fingers to allow a true note to come through. Then it's back to home position for either silence or ghost notes.

[@toadie]

been playing for 3 years and never learnt to slap for some reason! just starting now and this has been super helpful :D

[@SeanChapman821]

Very practical and common sense instruction. I am a long-time keyboardist but new bassist trying to train my hands to a new instrument. Great information - thanks very much for sharing!!

[@dornelli1]

this guy is seriously helping my bass progression...

[@noobbassist1352]

When I slap the bass I can't slap the inner strings because I always hit other strings

[@jonnyboi2967]

Thank u for putting the main points in the description. I appreciate it

[@TheYjmfan]

Just subbed I like the way you explain things I’m a teacher myself definitely not Bass I may add but recognise a good teacher when I see one, there are so many expert players but can’t teach/ put the message across. What’s best bass to slap on ? Any advice.

[@nedatkins1283]

This was very helpful in a simple, straight forward approach. Thank you.

[@bipultamang7061]

I don't know why this channel don't have many subscriber and views u deserve more subs

[@user-zl3jt6nq8u]

I'm lucky to have found your slap bass lessons. Thanks a lot, Mark. You are an able teacher because I have made remarkable progress since watching your videos.

[@nandapunyayoutubeyt4385]

THIS IS WHAT I NEED!! I ALWAYS MISSING THE STRINGS. THANKS FOR THE TIPS!

[@Ckabf]

i just found this vid now, ive seen the 5 popular slap basslines vid and i learned them all thanks to u, ur instructions are so clear. thanks a lot man

[@TheMurderLlamas]

Guitar player here. Thanks for teaching me how to S L A P P properly

[@roshanthapa7075]

I must say that yiu provide the most clear and understandable lessons in the entire internet ✌,and it has really helped me out alot in improving my Slap techniques

[@rongage1]

Lesson idea: how to handle slapping/popping (or even more advanced playing techniques) when the player has a smaller finger span. For example: when one has a very hard time doing a 4-fret span.

[@Quimerateck]

man those licks are dope, i might be here for the slap but the licks make me stay also im trying this on my guitar xD

[@THEREALKAYO1]

How do you know if your strings are old? How often are we suppose to change our strings?

[@markbass354]

Mark I'm using flatwounds for the first time , Im very surprised at how they sound , they sound great and my fingers thank me.

[@applepeel1662]

You're so good at teaching!! Keep it up bro

[@xOzymandias]

I got my bass brand new a month ago. I can slap with the thumb , when I hit the string it's just a clank like the string hitting something. What am I doing wrong? Or what's wrong with my setup?

[@Penndemonium]

Oh! This video was actually very helpful (I’ve watched a few that have not helped much)! I got a bass earlier in March, and I’ve been trying to learn slap technique. I’ve played the ukulele in the past, so there’s some things that aren’t hard to adjust to, but a bass _is_ obviously much bigger, has tougher strings, and just… behaves differently. I suppose I could learn on my own, stumblin’ my way along and figuring out what specifically works for me but… I’m a little worried about doing that, because I accidentally learned to play the ukulele backwards (played it left-handed with right-handed tuning), and I never learned to play with the left-handed tuning. I suppose I also did see no point, because I could play just fine, but I’m still a little worried I’ll start doing something wrong and it’ll be difficult to unlearn.

[@gregpruitt1647]

Does string height come into play for an acceptable slap sound. I like strings very close to the fret board. But in doing so, there is less space between the strings and the frets, where the thumb slap tone comes from. What is your opinion on this?

[@paulmullen2620]

I can get a nice clear slap sound on the open strings, but when fretting a note it's this dull thud (sometimes with a sickly sounding overtone.) This is especially true on higher frets. Any advice on how to get that to sound better?

[@armlearmonth]

Same

[@nomore2226]

Same

[@VeleroMedia4952]

Good job buddy

[@aaronbongon659]

3:00 haha you mighty fingers

[@max-rdj9741]

2:55 He did the thing!

[@user-xw6uh3yp7g]

My problem is that even though I have small thumbs, I still accidentally hit wrong strings even if I’m looking at the strings.

[@JEZARIC]

Hey! Last time you taught me that home position was over G

[@unfunnydave5485]

Honestly, I use the slapping thumb for ghost notes when slapping, if you app and hold your thumb there after it gives a ghost note. Plus if you slap where a harmonic is, if you get it right, you can slap a harmonic without having to fret it.

[@USHARDY]

This video was very helpful, thank you!

[@PaulTaylor1]

Such a great video, totally positive attitude!

[@mikehess4494]

Thank you

[@MrLevent79]

Mike.. what is the string spacing on that bass? 17mm.. I am thinking about getting one but not sure if it is hard to slap the bass that has narrower spacing. Please let me know

[@ImaginaryEvil]

Led - the Ibanez SR 4 string basses have a 19mm string spacing, same as a standard Fender

[@boseifrit5480]

@@ImaginaryEvil I have a gsr-200b it think it's the same. Good starter bass it's like 200 bucks but plays like 700

[@nuttcracker]

This kind of lesson is EPIC

[@dornelli1]

the new strings tip is 100% right...my sound changed 100% for the best after I changed them...

[@constructivecritique4049]

I'll definitely take those Sims pickups & electronics, please. Message me for the shipping address.

[@franswa7251]

Wow I love your videos. One question for you though why didn’t you demonstrate at 7:20 the result, instead you show us the technique of going from fret to ghost? Am I missing something ?

[@ruthlessadmin]

How was I not subscribed already D: I am now :D

[@talkingbasslessons]

Woohoo!!

[@MrAflac_1]

Does it matter if you have double jointed thumb? Because it’s very hard for me to slap but i probably dont have the good angle

[@anandkamate2308]

hi Mark, you are too Good as a teacher Please send me the books. thanks !

[@acidwizzardbastard]

Just what is that bass? It looks awesome.

[@nijbucks8673]

I fully agree with other comments. No Pissing about with this guy. Subscribing now!

[@Grace_acie]

Ah i think i have dead strings, gonna get some new strings. But what strings should i get? There are so many to choose from

[@HarleyBreakoutGuy]

My e string has dead sound so i had to slap on the 20th freth of the E string, should i lower the bridge to fix this problem? My strings are brand new.

[@JSGuitar80]

2:55 No big deal or nothin" . 😆

[@TheDario9911]

@2:55 OOOOOH HE PLAYED THE INTRO

[@michaelgeorge1714]

Am trying to learn but what about the A or D sting how to stop them ringing out? .... E's well and fine easiest to mute finger across all

[@MrAlanshieff]

Hi Mark - WHAT KIND OF PICK UPS are those? I see you had your Ibanez SDGR modified. - Thanks

[@julianbailey8942]

In my experience I found it better when your starting off slapping to look and slap on the very last fret on the fret board.

[@chevvvv]

my problem is that i can slap an open E string but nothing else. not open A, D, G or any fretted notes, the only sound is the string hitting the fret but no note

[@MrDaleputman]

Great stuff.

[@aldwinn8824]

my biggest issue is i hit multiple strings on my slapping hand.... any tips/advice.... (likely its never going to get answered but i gotta try...)

[@itsokay5608]

Ive replaced my strings many times and still can't hear the note when I slap it. You barely tap it with your thumb and it's funky and loud, but when I do it, it just makes a little noise but no bass.

[@tempest_2222]

when i try slapping i get a disgusting sound of the strings slapping against the metal and get almost no tone. could it be that my action needs to be adjusted?

[@TDB97]

Hi Mark great video! I would ask you a question: when I pop the d string sometimes my index remains stuck between the d and the g string(I have long fingers): Should I switch bass (because there no space enough) or really slowly re-learn the technique?

[@howardpopeiii5764]

is there an exercise you can give me to help me relax my plucking hand? I ask because,due to a chromosomal disorder,i have the hardest time relaxing my hands,makes it hard to play

[@MWLe1988]

Hallo Mark, i have a Question about a KZbin Video that i have seen before a lot of years. I was a beginner and it Motivates me very hard to play bass and it save me to be sure that the choice to play "this" instrumment was absolutely right. its "Glove - by Nathan Hughes" (you can find it on youtube) i have found nearly the right notes of the most parts but i dont understand the right hand technique. It sounds like he strum the strings down but at the same time it sounds like he slap the bass note with the thumb and i want to ask, if you have an idea how its able to make this sound, can you make pls a video to show how it works?? In the comments of the uploads of this song on the different channels i can see that many peaople are very interesstet to know how nathan play this sound. I think an "how to play glove by nathan hughes" video would make a lot of bass players vary happy. best regards marco

[@zeng833]

My problem is I CANT MAKE ANY SOUND ON ANYTHING OTHER THAN E STRING

[@maks886]

After replcing the strings, how long do they count as "new"? (a few hours of playtime? few days? weeks?). I know strings aren't that expensive, but as a student I have to save every penny I can

[@mattildahubbardo]

maks886 i just changed my strings after a year and there was a HUGE difference

[@JEZARIC]

Oh ok when we play Lenny kravitz it’s G but when you play something else it’s wherever is most comfortable as well as accessible… gotcha!

[@mlgbaconator6853]

Thank you finally

[@JesusIsRealJ1247]

I can't even get my fender 50's vintera p bass to make the basic sensitive slap sounds that his bass is making...HELP!

[@Mokooko7963578]

How do I stop hitting the pick guard with my popping finger

[@TheKinkySkink]

I can't seem to get the harmonic sound to go away even with all three fingers on the E string

[@sideparting6845]

Nice SR bass. Out of interest, what are those glowing pickups?

[@tomchannelle8386]

They're called Sims super quad pickups I think, give them a Google, they're pretty interesting

[@shameonlemon4098]

Hey I dont know if anyone could answer me i need advice please When i try to mute a slap just like he says It doesnt work like it does for him I mute it but there's always a weird sound right before it's muted Any tip to get it clean?

[@callummullaney2353]

I dont know if anyone will get this reference but, MARK IS THE FREESCIENCELESSONS OF BASS

[@VideoPrens]

Him playing the intro section of these videos as an example of ghost notes is a blessing.

[@jmaguilarr]

Buen profesor

[@abowen2]

Please please please...answer a question for me. I can't find a suitable explanation anywhere on this. I am very much a beginner, but no matter how I "slap" a string with my thumb... any string, it always sounds like I'm dragging a stick across a chain link fence on each strike of the string. No matter how lightly I hit or at nearly any angle...the string is hitting a raised fret and it sounds like crap, but when I watch you or countless others do it, I don't hear the string clanking against the fret. My action is exactly where it should be but I still can't escape the sound. But here's what really confuses me...when others on line explain the concept of slapping, they almost all say you WANT the string to strike the fret, but when I listen to them do it...you as well, I don't hear it hitting the fret. Can you set me straight on this?

[@talkingbasslessons]

That chime sound of a slap is the string hitting the fret. So yes, it has to hit the frets. Sounds to me more like your technique is lacking. You said you are a beginner. Learning to slap is not always the best thing for a beginner. There are so many aspects of regular technique you need to develop before trying to slap. Particularly in the left hand. However, it sounds like you might by pushing on the stroke rather than bouncing. You want the thumb to bounce with the rotation of the forearm. Not push. If you do that it'll just grind into the strings. Hard to say without seeing your techinque. If you join the Talkingbass Facebook Group (not the study group) you could post a video of the problem and I can give you a better diagnosis.

[@abowen2]

@@talkingbasslessons Thank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. I'll certainly take another deeper look at my technique and the Facebook group...thanks again!

[@GVike]

I struggle with that home position with my small fingers...

[@beezer1422]

What ibanez are you using? Medium scale?

[@talkingbasslessons]

No. long scale. Sr1000. Bought it in '92

[@tyronewilliams4779]

How old is old strings? 3 months 6 months 1 Year etc?

[@jackadams3663]

Tyrone Williams Completely depends on how vigorously you play, how often, how sweaty your fingers get, how dirty the strings get, how well you generally look after your bass etc Not all old strings are dead!

[@JEZARIC]

Heyyy maaaaark… first and foremost you are my fave uk bass teacher, thank you SOO SOO much for your dedicated content. You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Your good looks are only out matched by your good nature and I am a better bassist to boot… but your hair is like white, as far as my screen is concerned. And all the white going on behind you and the charming animated nature our dear you embodies are triggering to the long term effects of the choices some-to-most of us made between the ages of 15 and yesterday.. I was wondering.. and I in no way intend to put you down. You are single handedly lighting the path to many many great musicians to come. I’m imagining at international levels; ahem.. could we get some contrast so you look like mark from talking bass that’s not being eaten by an intergalactic cotton abyss? Please forgive me if I’m being too forward.. ugh I’m being too forward aren’t I.. aw SHOOT!! You know what nevermind just keep it up I’ll deal with it. you’re amazing thank you for your knowledge. Sincerely, -V.

[@floontsybloonts9609]

“Cant slap bass? Look at your hand.” 😂😂 be so fucking fr dude

[@pisspp9059]

What bass is that?

[@Silks]

Home position on a 5 string?

[@johnwagner9192]

I can't seem to get much sound with my thumb. Ugh

[@ankitkashyap1409]

how can i play your intro its awsm

[@warrenrozario9823]

Please teach the intro slap riff!

[@talkingbasslessons]

Already done it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5jHdIhqj5Kqi7c

[@feldspar1333]

Hey Mark. What bass is that you are playing here?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Ibanez SR1000. Bought it around 1992

[@feldspar1333]

@@talkingbasslessons Thanks for the reply!

[@waiphangkypala7971]

Sir I tried but it can't work

[@jeanmosquea9539]

What is the bass that you use?

[@talkingbasslessons]

Ibanez sr1000. Bought it about 1992.

[@hendersonsarmento519]

Excelente jovem 👏👏👏👏 Qual a marca desse baixo que você utilizou nessa video aula ???

[@laurachaotic2024]

Henderson Sarmento creo que es un Ibanez SDGR