Slap bass has come a long way since Larry Graham first championed the style in the 1970s. 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. In the hands of the players you're about to read about, it has truly become a worthy addition to the electric bassist's technical arsenal.
From Larry Graham (the godfather of ‘thumpin’ and plucking’) to Flea’s furious slaps and pops with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and, of course, the phenomenal Victor Wooten, be sure to listen to all of the players mentioned in this list – there is a lot to be learned from each of them. Oh, and don’t forget to also check out our guide to the , too. As a member of Prince’s NPG and power rock trio 3RDEYEGIRL, Ida Nielsen’s old-school funk meets new-school soul style undoubtedly pays homage to the purple one.
In the months following Prince’s passing, Nielsen returned to her native Denmark to finish recording her solo album. is a fine example of her aggressively precise slap technique. Stuart Zender made an audacious statement with this killer from Jamiroquai’s first album Although quite simplistic in structure, there’s nothing simple about the groove and feel.
Funkier and funkier with every turn, Zender brought his slap bass chops together with a sense of restraint that he became an expert at employing throughout . Loaded with crisp energy, the deep-pocket slap groove holding down this uncompromising hip-ho.