Now that we've had some time to get used to the Right Hand (RH) position for Slap bass (this is assuming you're a right-handed bassist, if you're left-handed reverse the hands in the description), let's move on to adding notes with the left hand.
When I was first learning this style, this aspect gave me the most difficulty. I think it's because as finger or pick-style players, we spend most of our time making sure that both hands are in perfect sync and all of a sudden we have to do two contradictory rhythms with our hands. Here's a shortcut I've used with scores of students that's helped them.
For this exercise, we are hand drummers. Place the bass flat on your lap, strings up. Tap out the rhythms with the flat of your right and left hands.
When you feel comfortable with the timing of this, return the bass to it's normal position in your lap (or strapped on if you stand) and still play the RH rhythm with the flat of your hand, but place the Left Hand (LH) in the normal position with the thumb on the back of the bass neck.
Finally, strike the open E with the thumb of your right hand and play the LH rhythm by hitting (not fretting) the strings with the flat of your left hand.
To give you some additional challenges, I've thrown in a slapped and popped Octave line with LH slaps.
Don't forget to use your metronome with this exercise. And...Have Fun!
Peace and Low Notes,
Roy C. Vogt
Teach Me Bass Guitar
MP3 File
20100301 0740 BL