Umair Gaines
The slapping technique on the electric bass was pioneered by Larry Graham in the 1960s. Graham, who played bass in the band Sly and the Family Stone, developed this style to add percussive and rhythmic elements to the bass line after his band decided to no longer have a drummer. This technique, which involves a combination of thumb-slapping the lower strings and finger-snapping the higher strings, has since been popularized by bassists like Mark King, Marcus Miller, and Les Claypool, and can be found in various genres, including funk, disco, soul, jazz, and rock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date electric bass slapping became popular | 1960s-1970s |
| Invented by | Larry Graham |
| Band | Sly and the Family Stone |
| Song | "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)" |
| Genre | Funk |
| Other notable slap bassists | Mark King, Marcus Miller, T. M. Stevens, Les Claypool, Flea, Bootsy Collins, Victor Wooten |
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What You'll Learn
- Larry Graham is credited with pioneering the electric bass slapping technique in the 1960s
- The technique involves a combination of thumb-slapping and finger-snapping to create a rhythmic, percussive sound
- Electric bass slapping gained popularity in the 1970s with funk musicians like Sly and the Family Stone
- The 1980s saw a rise in slap bass virtuosos like Mark King, Marcus Miller, and T.M. Stevens, further popularising the technique
- Today, electric bass slapping is used in various genres, including rock, jazz, funk, and pop
Larry Graham is credited with pioneering the electric bass slapping technique in the 1960s
Larry Graham is widely credited with pioneering the electric bass slapping technique in the late 1960s. Graham, born in 1946, began his musical career as a guitarist and drummer. He played guitar in his mother's band in his teens, and it was during this time that he first began to experiment with the slapping technique.
The story goes that when the band's organ was damaged, and their drummer left, Graham began to slap the lower strings with his thumb and pluck the higher strings to create a more percussive sound and compensate for the loss of their drummer. This style, which Graham himself referred to as "thumpin' and pluckin'", radically expanded the tonal palette of the bass and has become the archetype of modern funk.
Graham's new technique caught the attention of Sly Stone, who invited him to join his new band, Sly and the Family Stone, in 1967. The band became one of the iconic groups of the late 1960s, with hit songs like ""Dance to the Music" and "Everyday People". Graham played bass in the band from 1967 to 1972, and during this time, his slapping technique inspired bassists all over the world.
While Graham is widely accepted as the originator of the slap bass technique on electric bass, he himself did not think he had created anything important at first. He later recalled, "I didn't even think that my way of playing the bass was anything special, I was just doing it out of necessity."
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The technique involves a combination of thumb-slapping and finger-snapping to create a rhythmic, percussive sound
Slapping and popping are techniques used to produce a rhythmic, percussive sound on a stringed instrument. They are primarily used on the double bass or bass guitar. The slap and pop techniques are commonly used together, although they can also be used separately.
Slapping on a bass guitar involves using the edge of one's knuckle, where it is particularly bony, to quickly strike the string against the fretboard. This creates a "`toney'" or buzzing sound that is normally avoided in fingered bass. On a double bass, the edge of the hand or index finger may be used to strike the string.
Popping refers to pulling the string away from the fretboard and quickly releasing it so it snaps back against the board. This produces a prominent buzzing tone with more high-frequency vibrations than plucked bass. On a bass guitar, the thumb is typically used to pop the strings, while on a double bass, the index finger may be used.
The slap bass technique was pioneered by funk bassist Larry Graham in the 1960s and 1970s. Graham referred to his technique as "thumpin' and pluckin'", which he developed to compensate for playing without a drummer. He would thump the lower strings and vigorously pluck the higher ones to create a rhythmic groove on his electric bass.
The combination of thumb-slapping and finger-snapping can be used to create a variety of percussive sounds and unique rhythms, enhancing the overall musical performance.
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Electric bass slapping gained popularity in the 1970s with funk musicians like Sly and the Family Stone
Graham's slapping technique came about when his mother's band was left without a drummer. He wanted to emulate the sound of a drum set and create a rhythmic groove on his electric bass. This style added a unique percussive element to the bass line and expanded the tonal palette of the instrument.
Sly and the Family Stone's hit song "Dance to the Music" and their album "Stand!" propelled the band to popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Graham's slapping technique was prominently featured on Sly Stone's 1970 single "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again)", further popularising the technique among funk musicians.
By the mid-1970s, electric bass slapping had become widely adopted by funk bassists. The influence of Sly and the Family Stone and Larry Graham's innovative playing style left a lasting impact on the world of funk music, with Graham being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the band in 1993.
Overall, the popularity of electric bass slapping in the 1970s can be largely attributed to the groundbreaking work of Larry Graham and the success of Sly and the Family Stone, who inspired a generation of musicians to explore this dynamic and expressive playing style.
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The 1980s saw a rise in slap bass virtuosos like Mark King, Marcus Miller, and T.M. Stevens, further popularising the technique
The 1980s saw the rise of pop music, which also brought about the emergence of slap bass virtuosos like Mark King, Marcus Miller, and T.M. Stevens. These musicians played a significant role in further popularising the electric bass slapping technique.
Mark King, a founding member of the British pop band Level 42, is known for his fast and intricate bass playing. His lightning-fast combinations of slapping, popping, and muting, often referred to as the "machine-gun" style, captivated audiences and helped popularise the technique. King's bass solo at Wembley Stadium in 1986 showcases his exceptional speed and skill, leaving a lasting impact on the world of bass playing.
Marcus Miller, a prolific session musician, is renowned for his flawless and distinctive bass playing. His clean and funky sound, achieved through a combination of slap, pop, and double-thumbing techniques, has mystified and inspired bass players worldwide. Miller's mastery of the bass clarinet also contributes to his unique approach to the instrument.
T.M. Stevens, a legendary bassist, brought joy and enthusiasm to the world of music. In the 1980s, Stevens firmly established himself in the music scene, collaborating with renowned artists such as Miles Davis, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, and Joe Cocker. His energetic stage presence and distinctive style inspired and entertained audiences, solidifying his place in the history of bass playing.
Together, these three virtuosos of the 1980s helped to popularise the electric bass slapping technique, influencing bass players and music enthusiasts for generations to come. Their innovative approaches to bass playing, combining speed, technique, and unique styles, have left an indelible mark on the world of music.
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Today, electric bass slapping is used in various genres, including rock, jazz, funk, and pop
The invention of the slap technique on the electric bass is generally credited to funk bassist Larry Graham in the 1960s. Graham, a member of Sly and the Family Stone, stated that he was trying to emulate the sound of a drum set before his band had found its drummer. He referred to the technique as "thumpin' and pluckin'", where the lower strings are thumped and the higher strings are vigorously plucked to create a rhythmic boost.
Today, the slap technique on the electric bass is used in various genres, including rock, jazz, funk, and pop. In rock, the technique is widely used by modern rockabilly and psychobilly band bassists, including Kim Nekroman (Nekromantix), Geoff Kresge (Tiger Army), Scott Owen (The Living End), and Jimbo Wallace (The Reverend Horton Heat). In jazz, the technique was developed by jazz bands in New Orleans in the early 1900s and has since been used by bassists such as Victor Wooten and Stanley Clarke. In funk, the slap technique gained popularity in the 1970s with bassists like Bootsy Collins, and in the 1980s and 1990s with bassists like Marcus Miller and Les Claypool. In pop, the technique was popularized in the 1980s by bassists like Mark King and T.M. Stevens, who showcased their slap talents in a variety of recordings.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric bass slapping gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, pioneered by Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone.
Larry Graham devised the slapping technique to compensate for the absence of a drummer in his band. He sought to emulate the sound of a drum set by slapping the lower strings and vigorously plucking the higher ones.
In the 1980s, bassists such as Mark King, Marcus Miller, and T.M. Stevens showcased their slap talents in a wide array of recordings.
The slap-and-pop technique involves slapping the lower strings and popping or snapping the higher strings. Ghost notes, or muted notes, are also used to increase the percussive feel of the technique.
