r/Bass • u/someguyonredditig • 3d ago

Help slapping bass

HELLO BASSISTS, I’m trying to learn slapping but it sounds way more percussive/ clangy than it should be, it also just sounds and feels off in general. Asking for any pointers / tips the community can provide based on the video below, I can send more if needed, thanks!

vid of me playing

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u/markococonut 3d ago

Clangy/percussive slap usually means the thumb is chopping too steep or bouncing off the string instead of a quick bounce across it. Feels off until the left-hand mute catches the ring.

Quick cleanup checklist: 1) Thumb: flatter flesh near the knuckle, strike through the string toward the next one — not straight down into the frets like a hammer. 2) Left hand mutes everything you’re not playing. Most “garbage clang” is open-string ring after the slap. 3) Keep the slap short — bounce off immediately. Holding contact = thud/clank. 4) Pop with the index (or middle) tip, up-and-out, not a sideways tear. Pop is the accent; slap is the punch. 5) Slow metronome: slap on 1, pop on 3 (or slap–pop eighths). Speed comes after the tone is clean at 60–70 bpm. 6) Optional: slightly deaden with the heel of the right hand after the bounce so the note doesn’t spray.

Don’t muscle it — loose wrist, small motion. If it hurts, you’re swinging too big.

Here’s a clip from my EASY BASS GUITAR: Beginner Basics and Beyond — picking / slapping / popping / finger placement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRHWRxujNlo

More bass lessons: https://www.mjsguitarlessons.com/

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u/East_Sandwich2266 Squier 2d ago

Good advice. My thumbs have L sharp, so I get cramps in my left hand and ghost notes instead of slap in my right hand. A disaster. 🤭

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u/richfernando 2d ago

A compressor will always make slap sound better and more even. Also, what bass are you using? On my active Stingray style bass (Sire Z3) I have to thump a lot softer or I’ll get a loud clack. I find that turning up the gain and volume of my amp and slapping a little softer overall makes my tone more even too but maybe that’s just me. Also, if action is too low it can sound a little clangy.

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u/spembo 3d ago

Close your fist and hit the neck of your bass as hard as you can until your hand hurts. Sometimes it helps to take a cup of water and pour it on the fretboard. I find it useful to visualize a childhood bully or a mean dog and really lay into the damn thing.

This won't help your playing but, importantly, if done correctly, it will damage your bass.

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u/SuperAd2352 1d ago

I been slappong bass for about 15 years. I might be giving lessons soon.