It's possible to slap any bass and there are many bassists who do use steel strings, but it is easier with gut or synthetic strings. It's a bit like bowing, it's easier on an 'arco' string, but that doesn't mean you can't make it work on steels, especially for the more basic slap hits. If you're a jazzer who wants to throw in some slap lines I'm sure you would get a lot from the lessons. We have an interview about Joe's gear and setting up your bass for slap coming soon on our TH-cam channel.
Wow this is so cool I might even have to bust out my Upton Mittenwald Double bass now! Instead of my usual everyday hofner Sir Paul violin Bass! But It's definitely gonna make for a much more difficult & painful practice day but of course when your go to bass is the Hofner Beatles Bass every bass no matter what will seem like hard work compared to that beautiful, light, fun, easy & Comfortable Hofner that I love so much. But that doesn't mean I don't completely love my 2nd favorite bass to play, the Upton Mittenwald Hybrid Double Bass it's by far the easiest double bass to play & the most comfortable too & I've tried a ton of different types at my old age of 61 & Upton & Hofner know exactly what their customers want & how to make them satisfied! especially Gary @ Upton Wow! I remember when I first called & ordered my Mittenwald, they were so involved & asked so many questions like what type of music do I plan to play with it & what type of touch do I have (like am I a soft finger plucker or hard rough finger plucker? Or do I slap & pop or use a pick & I wish I could remember everything they asked because it was an amazing detailed bunch of questions but I'm so glad I answered all of them 100% honest because I've played many many Double basses of all brands & prices(I've even played $10,000 & $15,000 dollar ones) and none of them ever even came close to the great sound & how comfortable & easy it is to play my Mittenwald that the guys at Upton made for me. It's the perfect double bass for me hands down! they nailed it!. ... Now I just wish I would have played double bass first before handy capping myself with those Hofner basses you can play for literally 3 days(72hrs) straight and not get even a Lil tired because sometimes after long sessions with my Mittenwald I am really sore and worn our haha! Thanks Discover Double Bass for putting up this video when you did. Also, are there any special tricks to learning to hold down the strings with the left arm and pulling the shoulder back instead of using only finger force? So far that's my main issue I do good until I get tired or carried away then I start to drift away from the proper left arm technique and start mashing fingers down and eventually get the pains? ... . Oh for heaven's sake! Look how long this comment is i am so sorry about that I guess I got a Lil excited
@@terimama4515 I just spotted the edited comment and question about arm weight. There's a lot of info on this page which should help you: discoverdoublebass.com/lesson/using-arm-hand-weight-the-balance-point
Is this possible with standard strings ? I’ve messed with it a little, just wondering.
It's possible to slap any bass and there are many bassists who do use steel strings, but it is easier with gut or synthetic strings. It's a bit like bowing, it's easier on an 'arco' string, but that doesn't mean you can't make it work on steels, especially for the more basic slap hits. If you're a jazzer who wants to throw in some slap lines I'm sure you would get a lot from the lessons.
We have an interview about Joe's gear and setting up your bass for slap coming soon on our TH-cam channel.
@@DiscoverDoubleBass thank you
@@DiscoverDoubleBass cool! Thanks
You are amazing
I just purchased the course!! Thanks Geoff for all you do for the bass community.
Awesome, thank you! I really hope you enjoy it :-)
Amazing slap playing! I hear some Milt Hinton in there.
Wow this is so cool I might even have to bust out my Upton Mittenwald Double bass now! Instead of my usual everyday hofner Sir Paul violin Bass! But It's definitely gonna make for a much more difficult & painful practice day but of course when your go to bass is the Hofner Beatles Bass every bass no matter what will seem like hard work compared to that beautiful, light, fun, easy & Comfortable Hofner that I love so much. But that doesn't mean I don't completely love my 2nd favorite bass to play, the Upton Mittenwald Hybrid Double Bass it's by far the easiest double bass to play & the most comfortable too & I've tried a ton of different types at my old age of 61 & Upton & Hofner know exactly what their customers want & how to make them satisfied! especially Gary @ Upton Wow! I remember when I first called & ordered my Mittenwald, they were so involved & asked so many questions like what type of music do I plan to play with it & what type of touch do I have (like am I a soft finger plucker or hard rough finger plucker? Or do I slap & pop or use a pick & I wish I could remember everything they asked because it was an amazing detailed bunch of questions but I'm so glad I answered all of them 100% honest because I've played many many Double basses of all brands & prices(I've even played $10,000 & $15,000 dollar ones) and none of them ever even came close to the great sound & how comfortable & easy it is to play my Mittenwald that the guys at Upton made for me. It's the perfect double bass for me hands down! they nailed it!. ... Now I just wish I would have played double bass first before handy capping myself with those Hofner basses you can play for literally 3 days(72hrs) straight and not get even a Lil tired because sometimes after long sessions with my Mittenwald I am really sore and worn our haha! Thanks Discover Double Bass for putting up this video when you did. Also, are there any special tricks to learning to hold down the strings with the left arm and pulling the shoulder back instead of using only finger force? So far that's my main issue I do good until I get tired or carried away then I start to drift away from the proper left arm technique and start mashing fingers down and eventually get the pains? ... . Oh for heaven's sake! Look how long this comment is i am so sorry about that I guess I got a Lil excited
Go for it! :-)
BTW, that's a cool collection of basses!
@@DiscoverDoubleBass Thank you very much! Did you notice I edited my comment again and added a question I hope you can help me with??
@@terimama4515 I just spotted the edited comment and question about arm weight. There's a lot of info on this page which should help you: discoverdoublebass.com/lesson/using-arm-hand-weight-the-balance-point