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Intermediate Level – Slap Bass Study #1

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This slap study is written in 12/8 time and is therefore played with a shuffle feel. Playing slapped lines against this feel is far less common than playing over straight sixteenth note-based grooves and as a result, is something that many bass players struggle with. In addition, this piece also features tenths, popped double stops, and some tricky unison parts.

For bassists who wish to learn the piece but require additional assistance with some of the techniques required, the following courses (all included in the monthly subscription cost) should prove useful:

Don’t forget to hit the Download Resources button above to get the PDF transcription and audio files for this piece (available to subscribers only). The transcription is available with TAB and without, for those who wish to give their reading skills a workout.

This course is 45 MINUTES long and contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above:

1. Intermediate Level Slap Bass Study #1

This video is a demonstration of the piece, performed on a 1966 Fender Jazz bass.

2. Course Overview

In this video I’ll be talking about the shuffle groove and the difficulties it presents when playing slap bass parts. I’ll also be talking about some famous pieces that make use of the feel.

3. A Section

In this video we’ll be working through the A section of the piece, which is a melodic line built from the blues scale. This line is played in unison with the other instruments and can be tricky to play accurately due to the shuffle feel. This lesson covers bars 1-8.

4. B Section

This video covers the B section of this piece, which is the main slap groove. This line is predominantly built around conventional slap technique, although there are some double popped chordal figures and tenths as well. This lesson covers bars 9-12.

5. C Section

This video covers the C section, which is almost identical to the B section, but with one minor modification. This lesson covers bars 13-16 in the transcription.

6. D Section

This video covers the D section, which features a new slap groove which builds on some of the ideas found in the earlier parts. It also makes use of double popped chordal figures and tenth intervals. This lesson covers bars 17-24.

7. F Section

This video covers the F section of the piece. This is predominantly a repeat of the A section, but with an alternate ending that provides a transition into the guitar solo section. This lesson covers bars 29-36 in the transcription.

8. G Section

This lesson covers the line played during the guitar solo section at letter G. Also simpler than some of the early parts, the syncopation in this line makes it harder to perform than it might initially appear.

9. I Section

This final video covers the I section. This slap groove is based on the line from the B section, but with a different, syncopated fill in the second bar. This lesson covers bars 55-56.