Slap Pop Technique in Drop D Tuning

We are building on the slap-bass techniques from lesson 6 by introducing a pop!

Firstly, we need to de-tune our low E string from E to D so we are in Drop D tuning.

Example 1 - Method

• Slap the Low E string with ‘bounce’ coming away from the strings (quickly kill the sound with the fretting hand)

• Repeat this again, but leave the fretting hand covering the strings

• Then, percussive string slap, leaving the picking hand ready to ‘pop’ a note rather than ‘bouncing’ off

We ‘pop’ the note by hooking our finger underneath the string and pulling away - as shown in the video (02:07)

• Percussive string slap

• Play through the chord

This method forms the basis of the exercise, with a chord change each time. 

Bars 5 & 6 are where we introduce a tail riff to finish the whole exercise.

We start the same as the bars previous:

• Two slaps of the Low E string, percussive string slap and note ‘pop’ 

• Then, we form an octave shape by playing the 5th fret on the low E and D strings, using second and third fingers

• Slap the Low E string

• ‘Pop’ the D and G strings, using the first and second finger

• Move this octave shape down to frets and repeat exactly the percussive slap and ‘pop’ 

Lastly, in bar 6, we have a turn-around riff:

• Slap-bass the low E string

• Hammer-on 3rd fret and 5th fret of the E string

• Slide to 7th fret

• Finish by slapping the 5th fret and then the 3rd fret, allowing these notes to sound out