[kj] gash/slap bass

[fluw]

*slap bass was invented in /new orleans /by _pops foster_ and a small 
group of bass musicians playing in new orleans' '"the district" 
somewhere between 1900-1905.  it was in this era 1890's - 1905 when 
/church/ and /plantation/ /field/ music was evolving into blues, hot 
music and rag-time at the lawn parties, fish fry's and rent parties and 
the bass player originally playing tuba switched to /gut string upright 
bass/ and decided that a /arco/ (bow) and /pizzicato/ (pluck) would not 
be loud enough to keep up with the ever more intense performing styles 
of /hot music/ (jazz). this slap style, was incorporated by using the 
open palm of the picking hand to smack, grab and pop a string, or 
stings, depending on whether the stroke is a single hit, double slap or 
a raked triplet, continued to evolve within this music as it became 
/jazz /for a few decades until the time /bebop/ evolved and slap 
technique was considered passée.  before /bebop /killed the slap 
popularity, the slap style had been picked up in other forms of music, 
first string band swing, then big band swing, followed by, later blues 
styles: Rhythm and blues, western swing, and finally early rock and roll 
(rockabilly) where the style disappeared for a number of years after 
being revived in the 70's and still evolves to this day.

however alex is correct in referencing the modern electric bass thumb 
slap style and crediting larry graham with it's introduction when larry 
switched from guitar to bass and was backing his mother in church minus 
a drummer. hence necessitating larry to hit and pop the stings in order 
to generate more rhythm in the small ensemble.

but as to where larry's influence comes from... you can bet it comes 
directly from the 2/3's of a century that the slapped upright string 
bass dominated his culture's musical paradigm.
*

   

Alex Smith wrote:
> Oh for cryin' out loud, Level 42 did NOT invent the slap bass.The slap 
> bass style had been around since the late 60's courtesy of Larry 
> Graham of Sly & the Family Stone.
>  
> Alex in NYC
>
>
>     -----Original Message-----
>     From: iPat
>     Sent: May 9, 2006 9:27 AM
>     To: "A list about all things Killing Joke (the band!)"
>     Subject: Re: [kj] reasons why BTATS is gash
>
>     Im with you on this one bluce
>     The slap bass was very fashionable at the time. Level 42 were big
>     at the time - before BTAS mind you. Stanley Clark was influencing
>     many around me with their bass playing.
>
>   
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