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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Slaps, When and Where

2 replies [Last post]
Fri, 08/09/2013 - 11:33
Homer
Homer's picture
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Level 5
Joined: 11/22/2012

Hi David...I have a question regarding slaps (and pulls to a lesser extent).

Sometimes when listening to a song, the slaps are very subtle and sometimes can hardly be discerned. So, when I am learning a piece, if I am listening, and learning by ear, I may not include a slap (or even a pull), because it is not obvious, until I look at the PDF.

So, I guess my question is, when and where specifically would one use a slap or a pull? Should I slap notes (almost) all the time, or are there specific instances where a slap should be used?

Is a slap just a characteristic of the type of music we are learning (Chicago blues) and a technique to give added texture and fullness to the notes, and should therefore be used as often as possible?

Homer.

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Fri, 08/09/2013 - 14:43
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Great question. Slaps are generally used as much as possible in blues. When a song is more melody-drivel (such as a melody adapted for the harmonica)... when you want to sound pretty... it's less common. Pulls are used on the upbeat, and with swing-eighths, so it tends to be most commonly used in Shuffles and Swings, and to a smaller extent Slow Blues (you won't see them in Rock-Beats and Two-Beats for example). Slaps are used to add fullness to your sound and pulls are there to add rhythm.

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Fri, 08/09/2013 - 17:13
#2
Taylor Ward
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011
I used to have a hard time

I used to have a hard time hearing slaps and pulls too. As you follow the transcriptions and learn more songs you'll be able to pick them out by ear better and also get an intuitive sense about where to put them. You'll be able to hear that L that Little Walter uses lots of pulls while Butterfield, not so much. At least that's been my experience...

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