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Step 1
Use strings that are more flexible. A double bass traditionally uses steel strings, but these should be exchanged for strings made of softer material such as gut or nylon. Gut strings are more expensive than steel strings while nylon strings are cheaper.
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Step 2
Switch to lighter gauge strings of softer metal if you must use metal strings. Some double bass slap players use nickel strings that are softer than steel and easier on the fingerboard but will wear out more quickly.
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Step 3
Change the strings often. Slap playing sounds better on new strings because they have not been stretched out and are more flexible. The strings also will wear out faster from this type of playing because they are constantly being abraded by the fingerboard.
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Step 4
Lower the tension of the strings to make them easier to pluck. Classical soloists use strings that are designed to be tuned one step higher so the tension is correspondingly lower if they are tuned normally.
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Step 5
Raise the height of the bridge to give the strings more room to accelerate into the fingerboard. This is called "increasing the action," which is necessary for slap bass but makes it difficult to play solos. Some double basses have bridges that are easily adjustable for just this reason.
