How to Do Basic Slapping for Bass Guitar

Slapping and plucking the bass strings adds an extra percussion-like power to the bass line. Bass players need to use the side of the thumb for slapping the strings. Slapping the bass is one of the most basic techniques of bass playing and increases a player's versatility.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Use an octave for the slapping technique. The octave gives the bass player a flexible, basic slapping technique which is easy to slip into the bass line.

2. Position the side of the thumb to slap the strings. The placement of the thumb is critical to proper slapping; the thumb should be used in a natural, flexible manner.

3. Take the index finger and the pinky finger and place them on the strings to form an octave. An octave is created by playing the same note with each finger, but 1 note is played a full octave higher. The octave should be 2 frets and 1 string apart.

4. Thumb the string where the index is placed. The thumb is then positioned properly to move to the next note.

5. Pluck the string where the pinky is placed. The higher tone is achieved along with the added percussive slapping effect of the plucking.