How to Play Slap Bass Guitar Using Hammer Ons

The technique of playing slap bass guitar using hammer ons is something that is used by Flea and other bass players of note. It helps to fill in the sound when playing the bass guitar as an accompaniment. The technique is fun to learn and has a good, syncopated sound.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Hammer with your index finger when playing the bass guitar.

2. Slap with your thumb.

3. Begin by slapping the open string with your thumb on the bass guitar.

4. Use your index finger to hammer on the corresponding string on the fingerboard.

5. Repeat the slap again with your thumb while holding the fingerboard string down with your index finger.

6. Pluck the octave below with your pinkie on the open string. You will create a triplet that sounds like "da-da-da-ping".

7. Increase the pattern of slap bass guitar by using hammer ons gradually. The sound will become more syncopated as the slap and the hammers are contrasted by the short "ping" of the final plucked string.

8. Work on playing snap guitar using hammer ons while keeping an even beat. You may want to practice with a metronome to learn how to do this. It may also help to listen to other bass players and try to emulate how they play slap bass with hammer ons.

Resources

• Carl Shepard demonstrates slap techniques.