How to Play Slap Bass Funk Music

How to Play Slap Bass Funk Music – Learn the basics of how to play slap bass funk music with this quick and easy guide.

Introduction

Funk slap bass is a style of playing the electric bass that combines percussive “slapping” with downbeat “popping”. It is a key musical ingredient in the development of several genres of music, including disco, blues-rock, and funk. Slap bass provides the perfect syncopation between bass and drums and can be heard in the works of James Brown, Bootsy Collins, and George Clinton.

The Right Attitude

If you want to learn how to play slap bass funk music, the first thing you need is the right attitude. This type of music is all about having fun and being loose. You need to be able to relax and let the groove take over. When you get too tense, you will start to miss notes and mess up your timing. So before you even pick up your bass, take a few deep breaths and just relax.

The Right Groove

Playing slap bass funk music starts with nailing the right groove. The cool thing about funk is that it’s all about the feel, so once you’ve got the hang of the groove, you can pretty much play along with any funk song.

There are a few key elements to nailing that signature funk sound:

1. A pocket: The pocket is the backbeat of the music, and it’s what gives funk its signature swinging feel. To find the pocket, start by finding the pulse of the music – that underlying steady beat that drives the whole song forward. Once you’ve found that, think about where the 1 is – in other words, which beat in each measure is accented. In most funk tunes, that 1 falls on the 2 and 4 (think of a clock: 1 o’clock, 2 o’clock, 3 o’clock, 4 o’clock…). So when you’re playing along with a funk tune, make sure your accents fall on those beats.

2. A focus on 16th notes: Most funk tunes are based around 16th notes – meaning there are four notes per beat rather than two (as in eighth notes) or one (as in quarter notes). This can be a tough feel to get used to at first if you’re coming from a rock or pop background, but once you get it down it’s really fun to play! To practice nailing those 16th notes, try using a metronome set to around 60-70 BPM (beats per minute) and play quarter notes on each beat while keeping your accents on 2 and 4. Then try playing 8th notes while still keeping your accents on 2 and 4 – this should feel pretty natural since most rock and pop tunes are based around 8th notes. Finally, try playing 16th notes while still keeping those accents – this can be tricky at first but just keep at it and you’ll get it!

3. A laid-back feel: One of the things that makes funk so distinct from other genres is its laid-back feel. This can be tough to nail if you’re coming from a more aggressive style like rock or metal, but it’s essential for nailing that authentic funk sound. A good way to practice getting this laid-back feel is to count out a slow groove in your head (or out loud) while you’re playing along with a tune. For example, if you’re playing an 8th note based groove, count “1-and-2-and-3-and-4-and” on each beat while you’re playing – this will help you relax into the groove and find that pocket feeling.

Once you’ve got these three elements down – a pocket focus on 16ths

The Right Technique

There are different ways to play slap bass funk music, but the most important thing is to use the right technique. If you use the wrong technique, you’ll end up sounding terrible.

Here’s a quick overview of the right way to play slap bass funk music:

1. Place your thumb on the back of the neck and wrap your fingers around the neck.

2. Place your index finger on the string behind the frets.

3. Use your middle finger to pluck the string.

4. Use your wrist to snap your hand away from the string after you pluck it.

5. Repeat this process for each note that you want to play.

The Right Sound

In order to get the right sound for slap bass funk music, you need to have the right equipment. You’ll need a good quality bass guitar that has a nice low end, and you’ll need a good amp to go with it. Also, make sure you have a good set of strings that are the right gauge for your bass.

Once you have the right equipment, you need to learn how to play slap bass. This style of playing is very different from other styles of bass playing, so it’s important that you take the time to learn how to do it properly. There are some great instructional books and videos out there that can teach you everything you need to know about playing slap bass.

once you’ve learned how to play slap bass, it’s time to start practicing. Get a metronome and practice keeping time while you play. It’s also important to practice your scales and arpeggios so that you can improvise when you’re playing funk music.

Last but not least, make sure you’re having fun when you’re playing slap bass funk music. This style of music is supposed to be fun and upbeat, so make sure you enjoy yourself while you’re playing it!

Conclusion

There are many different ways to play slap bass funk music. The style of play will vary depending on the artist, but the basic principles remain the same. When you’re ready to take your funk playing to the next level, check out some of the instructional materials available online and in music stores. With a little practice, you’ll be playing like a pro in no time!