Slappin' Funky Ghost Notes

[Mantaray]

These are just some of the best(funkiest) ghost notes I've ever heard with a stingray. Sometimes I believe that the guy recorder first the live notes and after the ghost notes. Tell me about your techniques on the subject and I'll tell you mine.

Listen to this. It's PURE STINGRAY:

http://www.basslobster.com/sound_cave/wav/grooves/groovecarrot.wav

 

[Mantaray]

Pay REAL close attention to the ghost notes how amazingly they blend with the drums and the live notes!

 

[Nick2]

Aren't ghost notes a direct side product of slap bass? It's very very hard not to hit other strings with your thumb, you jsut damp the string with the palm of your hand, right?

 

[LeftyLB]

20 odd years ago they were accusing Mark King of not being truthful about overdubs on his solos etc.

You either got it or you ain't.

I wish I could slap like that!

In fact, sod it, I am going down stairs to get my Ray out and practice that right now.

Bye

 

[midopa]

Just a lot of practice is all it takes, friend. So look up the tabs for an exceedingly funky slap song and practice, practice, practice! I'm off to Carnegie Hall. See ya later~!

 

[LeftyLB]

Is that riff based around the open bottom E or is it an F? My tuning seems half way in between.

 

[Mantaray]

You either got it or you ain't.

That is SO true......

Well the trick is to try and fill ALL the gaps between the live notes you play. Try this and you'll see the difference:

1) Find a simple live note riff like this

2) Make a ghost note riff that matches with the above

3) When you slap a live note with your thumb(E or A string), pop a ghost note with your index or middle or third finger at the same time

4) When you pop a live note with your fingers(D or G string) slap a ghost with your thumb at the same time

5) When there is a gap between the riffs, play the ghost note riff in correct time and in a way that it blends correctly with your ghost note slapping during the live note riffs



Practice a LOT and you'll see a great improvement. Do practice a lot the muted pop.

 

[Mantaray]

Aren't ghost notes a direct side product of slap bass? It's very very hard not to hit other strings with your thumb, you jsut damp the string with the palm of your hand, right?

You only slap the low ones(E & A). You pop the rest(D&G).
As for damping this depends on what you play. Using the full palm is for a medium speed. For break-neck speed you do really quick dampings with your fingers.

 

[midopa]

Are you restricting what strings to slap and pop? Hey now! Pop the low strings for a awesome cable-like noise and slap the high strings for... um... weak output! I guess slapping high strings only comes in handy in rare instances, but popping low strings is phun phun phun!

 

[Mantaray]

Not at all. I said that you should play this way because this is the correct MECHANICS for a full bodied slap riff or solo with ghost notes. I agree that popping an E or D has a cool sounding effect but when you want to fill gaps and have to be real quick it just ain't practical.

 

[johans]

whoaa ...
so stingray

 

[cgworkman]

Are you restricting what strings to slap and pop? Hey now! Pop the low strings for a awesome cable-like noise and slap the high strings for... um... weak output! I guess slapping high strings only comes in handy in rare instances, but popping low strings is phun phun phun!

I slap all 4 strings. I do some intersting ghost notes by using my index finger and thumb on the E and A strings. Similar rhythm wise to what we just heard - but more "note" if you will.

In other words: I use my index and thumb on the same string. i.e. Thumb slap to E, index finder pop the E - but it's so stacato that they might as well be "ghose notes". But it can be applied for the "real" notes also.

 

[Nick2]

I cant get rapid fire ghost notes like that. no-one's ever really showed me(i learned to slap and pop by myself).How do you do it?

 

[midopa]

Great tutorials:

www.gazzbass.com

 

[uvapete]

thanks midopa

www.gazzbass.com

unbelievable.

I'm going to spend some serious time there.

The tone of his bass is a little (I don't know-- metallic?) but who cares. That guy just rips. And the video is key.

 

[midopa]

Just a little tip for those of the bassists out there trying to follow this guy's tutorials. Mr. Gazzbass uses DR Hi-Beams Extra Lite (it's a nasty light gauge set) on his basses, I think. I don't know how this will effect your playing, but he can certainly slap the strings with ease and still get a solid sound. So I'm guessing the light gauge has something to contribute to his form and style.

Anyhoot, havb phun y'all!

 

[Mantaray]

That is a cool site. Too bad my computer sound card is wrecked. I'll fix it and see...

 

[jubjub721]

well i find slapping the high strings is good when your tryin to play hella fast riff like this one


g-----------------------------------------------------
d----------------7--9-------------7--9
a----------7--9----------7--9------------7--9
e7--9--------------------------------------------- 7

i have been brushin up on my riffs and i luuuuv to play that really fast

 

[Nick2]

I slap the top strings, it's just it's hard to get them to make a loud sound, but I can't pop very fast, so I have to slap.

 

[Nick2]

And btw that slap riff is a piece of piss.Mebbe I should tab one of my solos and let you lot play it.