Damn you Justin King!!

[Teego Time]

So I decided to learn Laravee... cuz there's a tab for it. And truthfully, the tab doesn't look to bad, and because there's a good video of it I have a feeling I can totally do this.

My problem is: WTF is Justin doing with his right hand? Would someone be so kind and explain to me how to play slap guitar, and how to "pop" on the guitar? Not to mention the other techniques he uses in that song.

I KNOW this song is tough, but I'm confident that if I can learn it, it will broaden my abilities as a guitar play and make me SO much better. Not to mention the fact that the song is just rad.

[Teego Time]

First to reply to my own thread. I'm going to add what I find online as I see it. But I want feedback from you guys, or anyone who knows how to play like this.

Guest Instructor John Shaugnessy

In this lesson , John talks about the styles of
Louis Johnson, Stanley Clarke and Flea. The overall
lesson focuses on "Thumb Slap" and "String Pop", and
explains the techniques used to perform slap bass,
using specific thumb and wrist movements.

Intro To Slap Bass by John Shaugnessy

"Slap Bass" is a phrase that has many meanings. From
simple deep grooves to flashy pyrotechnics, everyone
has a different idea of what it means to slap. With
this column, I hope to give you some insights into
slap bass and how you can make it work for you.
Lets get started.

The first thing - and I can’t stress this enough-is to
PRACTICE WITH A METRONOME!
Slapping is very rhythmic and requires complete connec-
tion with the rest of the rhythm section; good time is
essential. Using a drum machine is okay, but you need
to develop your own "internal clock". If you do use your
drum machine, set it to a simple bass drum pulse.


Slap and pop technique

The first element of slap bass is the right hand slap-and
-pop technique. There are many different ways to do this,
so first I will show the "classic" style used by bassists
like Louis Johnson, Stanley Clarke, and Flea. This is a
two-part process:

1) Thumb Slap - Start with your thumb parallel to the string
you want to strike, just below the body fret. Flick your wrist,
and strike the string using only the side of the thumb, near
the first joint. Turn your wrist back out to let the string
vibrate, and "reload" for the next attack. Flick your wrist
harder on the smaller strings (D and G).

The momentum should come from the wrist; DO NOT push your thumb
into the string.

2) String Pop String popping is the other half of right hand
technique. Start with the edge of the first finger slightly
under the string under the string. Keeping your finger rigid,
turn the wrist out and lift the string up. Keep your fingers
together, and slightly bent, at all times. Don’t stick your
fingers underneath the string and grab; just use the side of
your first finger. Always keep your fingers in the same position:
The less movement your hands do, the more fluid your technique
will become.

The motion should come entirely from your wrist, not the fingers.

Practice moving back and forth between the two, using the E (or
your lowest string) and G strings. When you can do it comfortably,
move the thumb up to the next highest string, then the next highest,
and so on. Eventually you will be slapping and popping on the same
string!
Now move your "pop" fingers down to the D string and repeat the
process.

[Teego Time]

Now, for a quick conversation with Justin King....the crowned prince of acoustic wizardry. Obviously, Justin is a HUGE talent on this front - an amazing player and an exceptionally cool guy who not only amazes audiences, but is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with other players. In addition to the tapping, slapping, and whatnot, Justin employs a dangerous combination of traditional fingerstyle techniques, slap funk bass guitar techniques, and, well, just about everything but the kitchen sink. If he pulls out a kitchen sink for his next recording...well, you read it hear first!

David: I noticed you have an extremely fast flamenco-esque sort of thing. Are you using a finger plus your thumb for that fast strumming thing you do? Do you have any tips on how to do that?

Justin: Yeah - Rotate your wrist as hard as you can to the left and then to the right. Then let your arm dangle by your side and shake it out. This helps limber up the muscles in your forearms and wrist - you have to be very relaxed in order to get any speed going. This technique is based on triplets. The full pattern is: down-stroke with your middle fingers, followed by a down-stroke with your thumb, then up-stroke with your thumb. I would suggest NOT playing this on a guitar at first, try playing it on the sides of tables, your thigh, etc.. Its easier to get the basic pattern down if you don't have to also think about chords and fingering.

David: Your right hand tapping technique is used in a totally different context from guys like Michael Hedges and Preston Reed. How do you come up with those chordal thing, and can you give any specific examples or practice segments?

Justin: I like the sound of tapping over a chord, all of the things that happen with the relation of open notes to the chorded notes to the tapped notes, there can be a lot of cool interplay there. I like to build staggered chords out of single tapped notes, almost like a John Coltrane approach. I think a good example of tapped chords and schizophrenic single note tapping is the first track on 'Le Bleu'. (note: There is a review of "Le Bleu" at Tinfoil Music.)

David: What sort of practice advice do you have?

Justin: Just play a lot - loose track of time. If something is hard to do at first, that just means its hard, but you'll be able to do it if you put yourself into it, or put it into you.... or both. Finally, use the force!

David: Thanx, Justin!

Justin: Thanks, David. Take care.

[DMBFan63]

I suggest learning easier songs before trying justin king. Try looking at praisedave's thread about this song too, there are a lot of suggestions on what you should do to prepare yourself for this song. This isn't a walk in the park, and will likely take several months to be able to play it close enough to make it sound right

[Kukini]

Or give him the benefit of the doubt and let him try. Some things come easier to some people and if it would take you 3 months, it might take him 3 days...

[MWR]

Or give him the benefit of the doubt and let him try. Some things come easier to some people and if it would take you 3 months, it might take him 3 days...

Yeaaah riiiiight...im gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there. There isn't a single person who posts here that could play that song decently in three days. That was just a stupid post my friend.

[mangold]

... you remind me of me when i was but a lad...

and it only took me like 5 days mike, not that mines perfect.

go for it teego, just take your time. if you have any specific questions ill be happy to help you without judging you.

[DMBFan63]

Or give him the benefit of the doubt and let him try. Some things come easier to some people and if it would take you 3 months, it might take him 3 days...

Yeaaah riiiiight...im gonna have to go ahead and disagree with you there. There isn't a single person who posts here that could play that song decently in three days. That was just a stupid post my friend.

I don't think there are many people here who could play as well as justin king in 3 months either. That technique is a hard one to master like Justin King has

[MWR]

... you remind me of me when i was but a lad...

and it only took me like 5 days mike, not that mines perfect.

go for it teego, just take your time. if you have any specific questions ill be happy to help you without judging you.

What in tha hell. It took you 5 day to learn the first 30 seconds. That isnt' even half of the song so please stand down boy!

[mangold]

... you remind me of me when i was but a lad...

and it only took me like 5 days mike, not that mines perfect.

go for it teego, just take your time. if you have any specific questions ill be happy to help you without judging you.

What in tha hell. It took you 5 day to learn the first 30 seconds. That isnt' even half of the song so please stand down boy!

he inquired about slap pop, so i assumed he was talking about learning mostly the intro, seeing as that is the slap pop section. all im sayin is it can be done and you should try to help him, and i dont mean by telling him he cant do it.

[MWR]

When did I say "he can't do it".

I would love to help him but he already has twice the info that I could have given him. Thanks for that btw.
If you have specific problems than I'm all ears.

[mangold]

When did I say "he can't do it".

I would love to help him but he already has twice the info that I could have given him. Thanks for that btw.
If you have specific problems than I'm all ears.

youre right, he did pretty much educate himself, sorry mike. i lashed out irrationally

[MWR]

Okay here we go. I'll probably get ten posts saying this isn't the same thing but it's a start.

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/LJ2/LJ2T11a.html

[Tranman66]

Okay here we go. I'll probably get ten posts saying this isn't the same thing but it's a start.

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/LJ2/LJ2T11a.html

hahhahaa

such a goooo video. love the part where he sings that stupid line. Good video for pops tho, nice.

[mangold]

that is a pretty good start, the hand makes the same general motion... but the lick is soooo annoying...