Slapping and popping are ways to produce percussive sounds on a stringed instrument. It is primarily used on the double bass or bass guitar. Slapping on bass guitar involves using the edge of one's knuckle, where it is particularly bony, to quickly strike the string against the fretboard.

What does slapping the bass do?

Slap bass is exactly what you think it is. By slapping the strings, bassists can get a distinct percussive sound they couldn't have gotten by picking or plucking the strings. ... This technique works for bass guitars as well as double bass instruments.

What is slap in music?

Slap is slang verb meaning “to be excellent or amazing.” It's especially used to refer to a song someone finds extremely good, as in This song slaps! ... When a track makes you want to get up and move, it slaps.