The guitar slap technique is a unique and engaging way to add a new level of expression to your playing. It’s a percussive style that involves slapping the strings with the back of the hand or fingers and then plucking the strings with the thumb. This creates a sharp, rhythmic sound that can add a new dimension to any music.
One of the reasons the guitar slap technique is so interesting is that it adds a new level of physicality to playing the guitar. It’s not just about strumming or fingerpicking, but actively engaging the whole hand and arm to create a new sound. This makes it a fun and exciting technique for new players to learn, as it adds a new challenge to their playing.
Slap and Bass Guitar
Many players have perfected the slap technique for bassguitar over the years, but perhaps the most famous is Mark King of the band Level 42. King was known for his virtuosic slapping and popping style that was a staple of the band’s sound. Larry Graham is generally credited as inventing slap bass guitar. Graham has said that he was simply trying to create a drum-like sound to flesh out the rhythm in the then drummerless Family Stone. Other notable players who have made the technique their own include Marcus Miller, Stanley Clarke, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Victor Wooten of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.
Currently, among young people, the slap technique on bass guitar has been popularized by names such as Davie504, or the rising young bass guitar virtuoso Charles Berthoud, who has been making waves in the music scene. They are showing the youth how to add new level of expression and creativity to their bass playing.
Slap Guitar
When it comes to the art of slap guitar, one name that instantly comes to mind is the legendary Regi Wooten. As one of the famous Wooten brothers, music runs in his veins, having started playing at a young age. His style, along with his brothers’, is an undeniable force, a true original, and a one-of-a-kind approach to the guitar that has made him a household name among guitar enthusiasts. He’s a true innovator in the field of slap guitar technique.
The guitar slap technique is not limited to any specific genre of music, it can be used in a variety of styles such as funk, rock, and even jazz. In funk music, for example, the technique is often used to create a driving rhythm that propels the song forward. In rock, it can add a percussive element to the music that creates a more dynamic and exciting sound. In jazz, the technique can be used to create complex rhythms that add a new level of improvisation to the music.
In conclusion, the guitar slap technique is an engaging and fun way to add a new dimension to your playing. It’s a versatile technique that can be used in a variety of musical styles, and it’s a great way to add a new level of physicality to the guitar. With so many players perfecting the technique, there’s no doubt that it will continue to be a staple in music for years to come.