h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Don't worry, it's me that's out of place, posting completely irrelevantly to a conversation that me and Bassman were having so long ago he probably doesn't even remember. I'll post it on his PS instead.
As you were.

good plan

Sounds like the jack socket has got a bit loose - if you can get at it either by taking off the scratchplate or by access from a rear cover plate, you might find that bending the contact that makes with the tip of the plug is all thats needed. While you're about it, you can give the whole socket a good clean with a little solvent on a cotton bud. This will improve the signal from the instrument no end. Just don't get any solvent on the paintwork.

As for "Slap" Bass....

The first thing you need to ensure is that the action is sufficiently low and even across all the strings. I have found this is very important, as it helps even out the volume of each individual string. I was finding that my action was too high, which made it difficult to get any great volume out of the top 2 strings when "Slapped" - they were OK when "Popped".

The first thing with "Slapping" is to make sure your hands are relaxed. I'm right handed, as will most people be, so I'll do all my talking here from this point of view. All the volume generated by your thumb hitting the strings is generated by having a supple right wrist. You need to hit the string with the inside of the knuckle of your right thumb. Put your hand flat on the table in front of you and rotate your wrist back and forth causing your thumb to tap on the table. The part that hits the table is the part that should hit the strings.

You will need to wear the Bass quite high when you play, as your thumb needs to point along the string and not across it. The ideal place to hit the string is round about the last fret. Obviously as you get more of a feel for it you can move your right hand further from, or closer to the bridge. Remember you need to be able to hook a finger under the strings to "pop" them as well, and the position of your hand will partly be dictated by the position of the pickup(s).

There is a lot more to tell about "Slapping" just try some of this out and tell me how you get on, I can post more tips a little later. Don't be afraid to ask.



Bassman

*feeling out of place again*

Don't feel out of place....

Have some and a



Bassman

maybe i should just leave. (incidentally, i'm allergic to chocolate and i don't drink....)

Don't go matey.... didn't mean to offend....



Bassman

i'm not offended!!!
just think i may be here by complete accident...and that makes me feel rather out of place...

Never mind - if you've got a musical bone in your body, you're in the right company.... so what's your poison?



Bassman

um. i play the piano? was that the question?

Great - just the Piano - or keyboards in general?



Bassman

keyborads in general...

So who are your heroes, if I played keyboards, I suppose mine would be Tony Banks or Dave Greenfield



Bassman

i actually don't know any keyboard players. i just learned it for the entertainment value of playing and instrument.

Lost for words....



Bassman

sorry?