Slap bass question?

Question

Got a quick question for all slap basses. I know there are two different ways to play the note, either by striking it with the thumb or by plucking it.
`What I need to ask is whether there is any hard and fast rule for deciding how to play the string. I'm referring to pieces played by ear rather than by slap bass music.
Anything appreciated!

Answer 1

In music there are no "hard and fast" rules as such. it depends on which beat or beats you want to emphasise

It really depends on the style of the music. For example I would usually use the thumb for the first beat in a bar, and then again (possibly) on the third (in 4/4 time).

You could either play DUM dah DUM dah or DUM dah dah dah for 4/4 . Having said that, in 3/4 I sometimes do DUM DUM dah - it would depend on the piece you were playing and the beats you want to stand out. You can even reverse the emphasis by plucking harder than the thumb slap to get dum DAH dum DAH - good for syncopating and funk. You just have to try things out and see what sounds and feels good. You don't have to stick to the same pattern, you could play verses one way and choruses a different way!

Answer 2

I was thinking is a teapot just a jug in disguise???