slap bass

techniquesSLAP BASSfrom English

A percussive bass technique using thumb strikes and finger pops on the strings.‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌

In Depth

Developed by Larry Graham in the late 1960s with Sly and the Family Stone, slap bass revolutionised funk, disco, and later pop music.‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‌​‌​‌​‍​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‍​‍​‍​‍​‌​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‌​‍​‍​‌ The thumb slaps the lower strings against the fretboard while the index or middle finger pops the higher strings by pulling and releasing them. This creates a sharp, percussive attack that turns the bass into both a rhythmic and melodic instrument.
Did you know?

Larry Graham invented slap bass accidentally while trying to replicate a drum machine's sound when Sly Stone's drummer failed to show up for a gig.

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