Why do bass players slap the guitar with their thumb?

[Ns1]

 

[gsaldivar]

you've been watching Primus videos, haven't you... :beer:

 

[Leetman]

Its a playing technique.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Originally posted by: Leetman
Its a playing technique.

 

[Amorphus]

recoil from plucking the strings?

 

[upsciLLion]

Originally posted by: MartyMcFly3

Originally posted by: Leetman
Its a playing technique.

 

[fumbduck]

it's called skill

 

[hdeck]

not all bass players use their thumbs, let alone their fingers.

 

[trmiv]

it's called slapping. it's what makes that cool funky "wonk, bank" sound (I have no clue how to describe the sound in words )

 

[yellowperil]

Slap bass = guitar equivalent of wanking

 

[Confused]

As has been said, it is a particular style, which is used to give that different sound.


Although some people ONLY do slap bass, and can't play normally, and they suck too!


Confused

 

[compudog]

Originally posted by: Leetman
Its a playing technique.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: fumbduck
it's called skill

haha. it's a lot easier to slap than it is to pluck with your fingers. so, no.

as for why, because it sounds different than plucking. think primus or red hot chili peppers as opposed to other rock bands. good for that "funky" sound.