How to Play Indian Slap Bass

“Indian Slap Bass” is playing the Bass Guitar just like the Indian classical percussion instruments Tabla, Mridangam or Kanjira.  This is a very simple method because strings are hit like two drum sticks: The index finger acts like one stick and the middle and ring fingers held close together form the other stick. The exercise to begin is hitting the last string with fore finger (F) first and then with the other two fingers, middle and ring (MR). To be precise, the right hand fingering is F-MR-F-MR | F-MR-F-MR for 1-2-3-4 | 1-2-3-4.  Later the playing is reversed to MR-F-MR-F | MR-F-MR-F.  Subsequently it is practiced on other strings.  The same exercise is also practiced on more than one string by slapping alternately.  The player can choose his/her convenient position of left hand fingers on the fretboard. In the beginning it is always better to hold the strings half muted with left hand fingers. The sound created when the string is hit with MR fingers is slightly different from the sound created by F finger.  The strings which are not aimed to hit may also ring in the beginning.  But when it is practiced for few months, the hitting will be controlled.  It is therefore better to begin this on a four string bass, because the gap between the strings is higher than other bass guitars having more strings.  Many different methods/exercises can be worked out to get playability and to avoid the problems caused by crossing the strings, fingers and notes.  Any method is difficult in the beginning and the result is also not apparent immediately. But those who practice persistently will succeed in the application of any difficult technique.  It does not matter how an instrument is played, it only matters how it sounds.

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