• From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-02-14
  • Posts: 318

Topic: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

Hey everyone,

I've been watching and trying to learn and understand the movements Joe makes at around 1:58, that little slap-style riff he does, I don't know actually what to call it. I've learned myself by ear quit a bit now, but that last piece of perfection seems to escape me. Does someone has a tip or so for this? Here's the video, he plays it in the RAH too;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAvEKXG8rtE

Rick

I don't charge for mistakes. - Joe Bonamassa
  • Registered: 2012-04-26
  • Posts: 6

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

Love that technique! Really wish he would do more of it. Perhaps on the acoustic tour in Europe. It's sort of like a bass players thing (e.g. Victor Wooten), but it's also a little reminiscent of something I've seen Tommy Emmanuel do. But could totally be a JB invention for all I know. You might check out some Tommy videos to see if you can see more.

Interesting topic.

  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
  • Posts: 1,304

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

I think Musant is right in that it is very reminiscent of a bass players technique - plucking the string straight up HARD so that it slaps back against the fretboard for that sound, then immediately placing the right palm back on the string to eliminate any nasty overtones.

It looks to be mainly the low E string, but I think in that video, Joe is doing it to the other strings also, AS WELL AS pulling off with his left hand for added goodness... Definitely not an easy technique to master, but as Musant also suggested - check out some Tommy Emmanuel videos for similar work.  Tommy is one of the best entertainers I've had the privilege to see...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Danville, IL
  • Registered: 2012-02-18
  • Posts: 458

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

Very common bass player technique.  How do I know?  Anybody else have an avatar on here of themselves playing bass?

<-- that's my Steinberger! smile

Check out Michael Hedges for some *dynamic* acoustic playing.

kestrou

  • From: Cambridge
  • Registered: 2011-01-15
  • Posts: 912

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

I'll post a quick tutorial

Jonny L

Videos of my playing: http://www.youtube.com/user/JonnyLowtherMusic
  • Registered: 2012-04-26
  • Posts: 6

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

Another example, from the last show I attended. Sound and video are not well synced, but the audio is good. The slap section starts at 1:53.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjw2ktEHBqU

  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-02-14
  • Posts: 318

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

I'd loved to see a tutorial.

Great example, because the audio's very good. The thing that fascinates me is that if you do get that slap-part under control, Joe still plays so many notes in between the slap-parts (a lot of different versions around youtube, most of them are around 2009 if I remember this good).

I don't charge for mistakes. - Joe Bonamassa
  • From: The Netherlands
  • Registered: 2010-02-14
  • Posts: 318

Re: Acoustic Slap-Style Part

Just found a video that has a very good focus on this part (around 2:03):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbm-Xsu- … re=related

I don't charge for mistakes. - Joe Bonamassa