Slap Bass Lesson - Beginner/Intermediate - with Scott Devine (L#74) 

He starts talking about slapping at 3:47. At 7:30 he starts showing the pattern. The other parts are worth listening to, but on repeated listening, you may want to just go straight to those parts.

I love how reluctant he is to teach slap. At the end he's like "PLEASE PLAY NOTES, you're not the drummer"

As a guitarist new to the bass world, you've got to be one of the most concise and easy to follow instructors I've found. Sub'd.

Thanks for the lesson Professor CHARLES XAVIER

You have now entered the S L A P V O I D

Even though I'm a guitarist, I find Scott's lessons to be very helpful. He's really knowledgeable and laid back, and I find these insightful even as a guitarist. If I ever decide to pick up bass, I know who I'll be taking lessons from! You rock, buddy!

so I bought my bass guitar a few days ago and I thought it was a mistake, I thought it was a boring instrument. then I came across this video and you made the bass fun for me. I thank you for inspiring me.

These lessons are fantastic and extremely helpful so a big thanks to you Scott! After experimenting a lot with the left hand slap technique, I believe I was finally able to pinpoint the "secret" for a good left hand slap sound and I believe the following may really be helpful for others struggling to get a good sound out of it: Since the idea for that sound is to be fully dead/percussive (preferably no tonal content) and punchy it's essential for the player to be able to create a sound that has a)NO SUSTAIN b) no discernible note coming out of it and c) an audible good punch. Here is the precise way I've found to do just that: 1. Have your index finger ready to fret a note on the A string, a D on the 5th fret for example. and use this finger as an anchor point around which the rest of the slapping motion will be performed. The finger really has to be resting on the string, with extremely minimal pressure applied, meaning that the string shouldn't really move closer to the fretboard. 2. When you are performing the slapping motion with your other 3 fingers, do NOT attempt to straighten your fingers, they have to MAINTAIN a natural but toned, slightly bent position and the movement in the fingers has to originate strictly from the knuckle joints. The fingers have to respect the shape of the radius of the fingerboard/strings. There is also no need to "glue" your 3 fingers together, but all the fingers have to preferably remain relatively parallel to one another, however that may not always be possible. 3. Here is the most important part: When your 3 fingers hit the string, in order to prevent harmonics from ringing and sustain to take place, you have to pay special care to the E and A string. You have to make sure that a) your middle AND ring finger go over the E string so that b) your pinky can get over the A string without touching the E string. The result of this is that you will have 2 points of contact on each string: middle and ring on the E, index and pinky on the A. 4. If you want to get a good punch out of the left hand slap, your fingers need to be hitting the strings with a decent mix of power and velocity which you will need to practice until it feels right, BUT even if you get the punch right, the motion required to do so will have the side effect of creating a rebound motion on your fingers to a degree and this will need to be controlled to prevent the strings from ringing, ruining the clean cut desired effect of the slap sound. The way to achieve that is to practice and experiment by feel how much pressure(power) is needed once your fingers impact the string to prevent that rebound effect from taking place. The quality of the result you will get will precisely depend on the care you take in bringing together all the details/guidelines mentioned above, and you will most likely realize if you concentrate on all these details how much it will limit your speed when you're beginning to learn how to do it. If you try to go too fast without it sounding right in the first place, your slapping will never be enjoyable to listen to because it will not be articulated cleanly. I hope this helps! Cheers :) Michael

9:50 slap exercise 10:45 exercise 2 14:54 exercise 3

Thank god for Scott!! For YEARS I've been struggling with door handles!! Gone are the days when the guitarist has to let me in and out doors!! Thanks man ;)

My second bass teacher was into funk, a hell of a beast when it came to slap. Now I find you, a master of the slap technique... You know what you both have in common? you and my teacher are bald :P that's the secret!!

I'm a guitar player, but the idea of slap bass makes me want to become more affluent in bass. I just love the way it sounds. I've always wondered what the technique was. I found your lesson to be very helpful. Thank you.

So, James Mcavoy just taught me how to slap bass

I grew up playing like Jaco. I went from cello to Fender Bass, but never learned to slap...I started playing bass in 1969...This is the first time that someone has scoped this out so methodically that even I seem to be able to do something with it...Thank you...

I appreciate these lessons. Being primarily a keyboard player and an aspiring bass player, your tutorials are massively helpful, easy to follow, and you don't talk over my head. Job well done. Thanks!

I tried to do this on a viola... It didn't work.

You know I've been playing bass for years and I could never figure out why everyone could slap but when I did it it sounded like a hot mess. This lesson actually helped me realize my mistake and I became actually pretty good at it. Thank you so much for this video it has impacted my playing significantly, I can now confidently slap my thumb against my strings in public. :)

Great lesson. Really like the way you broke down the riffs and built them up again adding more elements each time.

You are ABSOLUTELY A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!! I couldn't even imagine that I'd be slapping my bass and actually make it sound good. Absolutely amazing teacher, thank you so much!!!!!!

I might be 10 years late but this lesson is fantastic. Massive aid to my confusion. Thanks

This must be the best slap bass lesson for beginners, I've learnt a lot, many thanks!

Mate you just improved my bass playing by about a 1000% in 3 mins! Thanks so much.

this is the best slap bass tutorial by farrrrrrrrrr! Thank you sooo much!

Omg!! That was soo much fun! Thanks for the lesson!

He's very good in SLAAAPPINN DA BEEYYZZ

WOW! U r great teacher, really!

Are you, Sir, trying to get me to start playing the bass? If so, you are doing a good job :P

Scott, love your tutorials. I wish you were teaching this stuff on RU-vid 20 years ago. Amazing talent! I am learning soooo much. Thank you!

2:09 Opening words 3:46 Arm movement x thumb movement 5:56 Pluck finger and neck hand with the dead notes 7:30 Exercise 1 - basic pattern 10:44 Exercise 2 - sophisticating the pattern 12:26 Exercise 3 - added hammer on 14:35 Exercise 4 - added pop note 17:16 Exercise 6 - added note with trill (16:47 harmony explanation) 17:37 Orientations and recommendations 18:40 Playing suggestions 19:14 Closing words 20:01 Scott's Bass Lessons Ad video

I love how you have a “im creating a bunch of slapping monsters” smirk on your face throughout the video. Love it! Thanks for the lesson Scott. You sir are a legend.

I've been working on it the whole day, finally got it quite right!! Thanks man!! Awesome one.

It's amazing how much your channel has grown Scott. I started watching you back in 2012. Congrats on all of your success✌🏽

Scott, you are bloody awesome to learn from - incredible on the spot & well-structured guide to improving your play - thx mate

about 30 minutes of messing with slap tap slap pluck, I found my own technique! Thank you very much for this video, I was so close to giving up but I found that perfect beat that's helping me now. I really do appreciate these videos

I have been playing baas for 53 years and never did slap technique. You are an outstanding teacher to demonstrate the technique so accurate;y and clearly. Thanks.........

crap, i've been grabbing door handles wrong.

I may not know much about bass slapping, but I sure know a lot about PLUCKIN' G-STRINGS! ...No? I'll let myself out.

The movement of the forearm that Scott's describing for playing slap bass is referred to in medical terminology as "pronation"(from palm up to palm down) and "supination" (palm down to palm up). A series of muscles that attach at the outer (lateral) elbow joint and end at the inner(medial) wrist joints provide this movement.

I am a percussionist but started this about 3 weeks ago. After growing my callus I was able to get it now! I can finally do a basic slap groove! Thanks Scott! You are awesome!

Slower is always better. Such clarity in explaining every component of this lesson. Amazing video.

Ah brilliant, although I’ve played lead guitar for decades, I bought my first 5 string bass today and found this tremendously useful! Have subscribed! Thanks a million Scott. John 😀

"thumb, pluck, tap, thumb, pluck tap, thumb, tap .......................................fuck!"

thanks scott, you are a good teacher !!!!

Really enjoyed that...I used to have bass lessons in 1989!!! I haven't completely lost it.

I cut my right hand's fingernails very short just yesterday so they don't mess with the strings when playing, and now I see I'll have to leave this lesson for when they grow a little; otherwise, plucking is goddam impossible. Scott, you' re the man!

0:38, A computer in a slap bass video in a computer in a slap bass video in a computer in ....

I'm watching this tutorial, I don't even have a bass lol Waiting for my graduation so my parents could give me one😁

Playing now for almost 36 year the bass guitar, I also discribe Scott's opinion about slapping. Learn first the theorie of chords. Youngsters likes to start playing bass guitar only by slapping. While it should be by just doing blues chords and riffs and harmonics. Even better Jazz harmonics. Than you have the best basics to fill in your style of playing with slapping bass fill ins. (As a dynamic variation in your music, see also Scotts funky riff without slapping, that is what I mean, vary this riff with slapping, than this technique will be much higher appreciated by your audience). Kind bass regards, Olly (Holland-Europe).

Thanks for explaining and teaching these in simple understanding of these complex bass grooves. 😊

Very intensive! Explained all the nuances and didn’t leave anything out. Very positive and likeable dude as well. The perfect teacher 🙌

Great stuff. I'll be in the shed awhile

the only thing thats causing me headache is the left hand slap, i never even thought about using it to play things. its really hard to start suddenly using force when all my life I've been just gently pressed the frets. well, no can do but practice...

I've always wanted James McAvoy to teach me bass.

Very helpful. I developed a prejudice against slap bass players long ago, for the reasons you mentioned early in this video. But I do find times when it would be helpful to have the technique in my arsenal. I'm already a pretty good hand percussionist, and I have a deep pocket, so I can make this happen. Thank you Scott. Good pedagogy.

Man! Just spent an hour on this drill. I love it!

SLAP LIKE NOW!!

I'm really confused. The left hand slap. Whenever I try it always ends up as a hammer on or a mute

Thank you for the tutorial. How about drum rhythem to apply this bass pattern? I still difficult to combine bass and drummer. Thank you

Thanks Guy. Même si je ne suis pas parfaitement bilingue, ton cours m'a fait bien reviser ma technique de slap. Merci beaucoup. It's so clear

I used this video to teach myself how to slap bass and now am using it to teach my sister. Thank you good sir.

my notes are ringing, and I'm playing about 1/2 your speed

James McAvoy is such a great actor. I didn't now that he also played bass?

The first exercise in a fast speed sounds like a tribal sacrifice

Thank you!! Guitarist owning a bass guitar here. At last I can add proper bass percussion to my playing. You’ve opened a whole new world for me. God bless you sir!

I am so thankful I found this video. I agree with some of the other writers. You break your lessons down so well and as a new bass player this was so helpful. Thank you!!!

I'm practicing slap with thumb for about 2 weeks but I can't prevent my thumb hitting the other strings when I'm slapping A and D strings and it's really on my nerves 😬😬

Anyone else watching this for "Can't Stop" by RHCP?

SLAP LIKE *N O W*

thank you for sharing your gift,,,played for many years but never was adept in this syle

This is perfect, cheers Scott. I've been playing the guitar for most of my life, I've been playing the bass in it's own context for about four years. I've got so many bad habits that starting from scratch like this will do me some good.

Oh I was looking up how to slap a bass fish

*breaks bass in half*

"Davie, you're in the SLAPP void" Davie: wAt? Impossible

Another tip for slap bass is using flatwounds. They are used by Les Claypool and Victor Wooten, they sound great.

Brilliant body...I am really enjoying my self more right now ,getting more continuous over harmony of the notes under my fingertips...cheers..God bless you richly bro

Hey Scott. What kind of bass are you playing in this lesson? Also, is it me, or is the spacing between the strings closer together than normal or am I nuts? Love the lessons!!!

Amazing that they never showed your bass player personality in Split

Fieldy the best Slap bass guitarist :D

A great bass player, a competent show man,excellent direction, musical Director, thank you for Your channel.

thank you so much Scott! Played my first slap riff today :) Excellent slow instruction for a beginner like myself

*Immediately gets blister on my finger*

i tried this lesson, my slapping improved, now it only takes a single slap to make my brother cry

how do I get my strings to quit ringing when i'm slapping my left hand on the fret board??? I just can't seem to do it?

Mate. I thought I would comment to let you know. You mentioned the "slap void". I started off life playing the cello in an orchestra. Then violin. Then moved onto the rock instruments. I'm a grade 8 musician, that loves the sound of bass. I've been playing for years and never tried the slap technique. Your video has helped me tremendously in understanding the style and method. I wanted to tell you this, because going by your intro, it seems that is the audience you were looking for. Thanks for the help. I've subscribed 👍

Outstanding lessons sir on slap with harmony, salute your contribution sir

any tips on not hitting the low e when going for the a string?

Did Davie504 approve this lesson?

OMG HOW DO YOU GET THAT PERFECT TONE!?!?!?!?

Brilliant! From one teacher to another, thank you for your work!

I really like your teaching style. Im glad you give simple but cool practice riffs we can improve over time. Thanks!

Hey Scott, can I just ask about the glove? Personal preference or is it something special? :) Just wondering.

He is cheating!!!! He has a glove hiding his robot hand!!!

It seems when I use my left hand on frets that I can't get the percussion sound I can still hear notes when I press all fingers down across

Finally got a bass yesterday. After 4 hours of that 1st exercise (thumb,slap,thumb,pluck) my right hand fingers are blistered lol.

Your best video ever. The slapping, the teaching, the smalltalk, the lot. Bravo.

When you tap with your left hand, do the strings touch the fret board a little bit? My bass has high action, so my fingers just tap the strings but they don't actually touch the fretboard at all. Just wondering if that's ok. I'm without an amp, so it's a little hard to tell if it's making the right sound or not..Actually now that I watch this guy, maybe lower action is needed? I seem to require quite a big slap with the right hand to get the noise..

Dude! You kinda look like James McAvoy!!!🤣🤣🤣 It's crazy!

how do you slap on the a string? is there a special technique for it or is it just repetition and accuracy with the thumb?

got 1st bass in my life few days ago. v learnt guitar for months. m excited to meet u here n learn bass

wow amazing>> I have guitar back gound but not good and no bass back ground and I followed your steps to a sound that appeared impossible and there I was with the sound >>>thank you Scott