Lesson: How To Play Funky Bass with Tap, Slap and Pluck
Time to get funky!
In this lesson, we’ll play a groove in A minor using a left hand tap technique – one of Abe Laboriel’s many slap bass techniques, which was later popularized by Victor Wooten. This technique requires strength in the left hand, or low action.
Download this transcription (standard notation and TAB), and follow along with the video below.
The pattern for the main figure is: Tap, Thumb, Pluck – Tap, Thumb, Pluck.
There’s also some use of open strings. (I love the crispness of the open G and D strings.)
Be sure to let the notes ring as indicated in the transcription, particularly at the end of bars 2 and 4.
For the gear heads, I’m playing my Sandberg Califiornia MarloweDK Signature Bass strung with Dunlop nickel strings (45-105) through a TC Electronic RH450 amp.
For more great bass lessons from Thomas "MarloweDK" Risell, visit PlayBassNow.com.
To be honest: I don’t get it. If you can play this riff, even after some exercise, then you already now how tap & slap. Tapping & slapping – unless in the case of someone very talented – is a technique that develops together with the rest of someone’s ability to play. It don’t drop out of the sky at once. Important also: the bass guitar has to be suited for this type of work, and the cheaper guitars usually are not. Just my opinion, feel free to think totally different :-)
I finally get it! You attack the string with your left hand. Unbelievable