Popularized by such groups as Sly and the Family Stone, Graham Central Station, and the Brothers Johnson, slap bass lines were an infectious trademark of many 1970s funk hits. Since then, slap bass has become an essential part of playing electric bass; typically used as a phrasing element and a way of getting a different texture and sound. In Slap Bass, you will learn the fundamentals of playing slap (from traditional to advanced modern techniques), and learn to construct your own slap lines over original songs. The course begins with a focus on developing proper right- and left-hand technique, including basic octaves, thumb, popping, pull-offs, and hammer-ons. You will then explore advanced phrasing elements such as slides, double stops and bass line improvisation. The ability to play slap bass is essential to a modern bass player, and this course will show you how to incorporate this important style into your own playing. This course is perfect for existing slap bass players, as well as for developing players. Slap Bass will take you from the very beginning techniques of producing sound and quickly have you playing classic lines that employ those fundamental techniques. You will progress at your own pace and skill level, and be challenged as an individual.

You will also study the bass lines and history of some of the great slap bass players, including Louis Johnson, Larry Graham, Janice Johnson, Aaron Mills, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Alphonso Johnson, Freddie Washington, Doug Wimbush, Nate Phillips, and Victor Wooten. By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in traditional slap bass technique, the skills to play the vast majority of classic slap bass lines, and the technique to approach most modern styles of slap bass, including applying them to your own playing.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• apply basic octaves slap technique to your playing
• apply thumbing technique to your playing
• apply popping technique to your playing
• play pull-offs and hammer-ons effectively
• further develop your time and feel
• develop a good slap bass sound
• incorporate double stops and slides in your playing
• construct original slap bass lines

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