slapbass

Slap bass is a percussive playing technique for the electric bass guitar. It was popularized in the late 1970s and early 1980s by bassists like Larry Graham and Louis Johnson. The technique involves striking the strings with the thumb to produce a percussive slap sound and then popping the strings with a finger to create a sharp, melodic note. These two distinct sounds, the slap and the pop, are used in combination to create rhythmic and melodic patterns.

The slap bass technique requires a specific approach to the instrument. The player typically rests the bass on their lap at an angle to allow for easier thumb access to the lower strings. The thumb strikes the strings downward and slightly away from the player, while the index or middle finger hooks under a string and pulls it upwards and away from the fretboard. This creates a distinctive percussive attack followed by a ringing tone.

Slap bass can be used to create complex rhythmic grooves, often incorporating elements of funk, R&B, and jazz. It allows the bassist to function more like a drummer by providing a strong rhythmic foundation and adding percussive accents. While it originated with the electric bass, variations of the technique can be adapted to other stringed instruments. The technique has since become a staple in many contemporary music genres.