Double stops are two notes – any two notes – played simultaneously. Whilst it is not uncommon for bass guitarists to play chords, double stops are useful in that they can often achieve the desired chordal effect, but with fewer notes. Double stops can be performed with any technique and are by no means limited […]

Strumming chords on the bass can be very effective, and certainly works well in conjunction with the slap bass technique. There are many bassists who incorporate strumming into their slap playing, including Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool, Mark King, Victor Wooten, Flea and Michael Manring. Chords are strummed with the fingers of the fretting hand. When […]

When it comes to playing slap bass grooves, many of us fall into the trap of playing only in 4/4 time with a straight feel. Of course, music comes in all shapes and sizes and it’s vital that you’re able to apply your slap chops to a variety of different feels and time signatures. With […]

Many bass players feel very comfortable employing their slap techniques over a straight 4/4 rhythm, but far less comfortable when the music has a shuffle feel. When playing in the shuffle feel, linear slap grooves (particularly those that incorporate fretting hand slaps) can be a little more difficult to execute, and it’s these grooves that […]

The double thumbing technique is a relatively recent addition to the slap bassist’s toolkit. Using this unusual variant on the slap and pop style, it is possible to play lines that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to play using traditional slap technique. Double thumbing involves using the thumb of the picking hand to play […]

Double popping is a technique that requires you to pop the higher strings on the bass with the first and second fingers. These two popped notes – in combination with slapped notes – are commonly used as part of a triplet rhythm. Double popped triplets are often added into slap grooves to add rhythmic interest. […]

The open-hammer-pop technique is a combination of three conventional slap bass elements: a slapped open string, a hammer-on, and a popped note. This technique can be used to play some unique slap bass lines and has been popularised by bassists such as Stuart Hamm and Victor Wooten. The open-hammer-pop technique is typically used in two […]

This song was a huge worldwide hit for Bon Jovi when it was released in October 1986. Although the bass chair in the band was occupied by Alec John Such at the time, session bassist Hugh McDonald was drafted in to play on this tune and was responsible for coming up with the song’s signature […]

‘Boogie Oogie Oogie’ was A Taste of Honey’s debut single and was released in June 1978. It was a huge hit for the band, reaching the top of several charts in the U.S., and performing well around the world. Propelled by bassist Janice-Marie Johnson’s infectious groove, the song has since become a disco classic, making […]

‘Pinball Wizard’ was originally released on the Who’s 1969 album Tommy, a rock opera that tells the story of a deaf, dumb, and blind boy. The song was a big hit for the band, and it continues to be played live to this day. By the standards of Who bassist John Entwistle, this song has […]