10 Easy Slap Bass Songs for Beginners (2026 List)

What are the easiest slap bass songs for beginners? Start with "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen and "Can't Stop" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their simple, repetitive rhythms focus on the root note, making them perfect for learning the technique. Getting that classic percussive sound is more about timing and clean technique than complex notes, and these tracks are the perfect starting point. If you want to dive into funk, learning these essential slap bass songs for beginners will build the foundational thumb and pop skills you need to tackle any groove.

tl;dr: The Easiest Slap Songs to Learn First

• "Can't Stop" – Red Hot Chili Peppers: This is the ultimate starting point. The main riff is a simple, muted slap pattern that is perfect for developing your right-hand rhythm and consistency.
• "Another One Bites the Dust" – Queen: John Deacon's iconic line isn't traditional slap, but it's perfect for practicing slapping root notes with a focus on timing.
• "Higher Ground" – Stevie Wonder / Red Hot Chili Peppers: Flea's version is a slap bass masterpiece. The core riff is a repeating pattern that helps you practice moving between strings with your thumb.
• "Forget Me Nots" – Patrice Rushen: A classic funk groove. The bassline is built on a simple octave pattern, which is a fundamental shape in slap bass playing.

The Best Slap Bass Songs for Beginners

Getting into slap bass can feel like a huge challenge. You see players like Flea or Victor Wooten flying across the fretboard and think it's impossible. The secret is starting with the right songs. You need riffs that are slow, repetitive, and built on core slap and pop mechanics. This list of slap bass songs for beginners will get you grooving without overwhelming you.

1. "Can't Stop" – Red Hot Chili Peppers

This is ground zero for many aspiring slap bassists, and for good reason. Flea’s riff is almost entirely percussive. He uses heavy muting with his fretting hand, so you're not worried about hitting specific notes perfectly at first.

• Why it's great for beginners: The pattern is simple and repeats throughout the verses. It forces you to focus 100% on your right-hand timing and the consistency of your thumb slap.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, left-hand muting, dead notes. This song is a masterclass in creating a groove with rhythm, not melody.
• Pro Tip: Don't hit the string too hard. A relaxed, whip-like motion with your thumb will produce a much punchier and clearer tone than trying to hammer it.

2. "Higher Ground" – Stevie Wonder (RHCP Version)

Flea's interpretation of this Stevie Wonder classic is an absolute funk-rock anthem. The main riff is an energetic pattern on the E and A strings that is incredibly fun to play.

• Why it's great for beginners: It introduces you to moving between strings with your thumb slaps while maintaining a steady rhythm. The pattern is memorable and locks into the drum beat perfectly.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, hammer-ons, and string crossing. You'll learn to keep your hand moving while landing accurately on different strings.
• Pro Tip: Start slow. Use a metronome and gradually increase the speed. The goal is to play it cleanly, not quickly. Rushing will only lead to sloppy technique. This is one of the all-time best funk bass lines and a rite of passage for bassists.

3. "Forget Me Nots" – Patrice Rushen

This iconic bassline from Freddie Washington is pure funk gold. It's built around octaves, a cornerstone of slap bass. An octave is when you play the same note, but one is higher in pitch than the other (e.g., the 5th fret on the A string and the 7th fret on the G string).

• Why it's great for beginners: It's the perfect introduction to the "thumb-pop" combination. You'll slap the low note with your thumb and pop the high note with your index or middle finger.
• Key techniques: Octaves, thumb slaps, finger pops. This song will build the muscle memory you need for thousands of other funk and disco tunes.
• Pro Tip: Make sure your popped notes are as loud and clear as your slapped notes. Many beginners have a weak pop. Focus on getting a crisp "snap" by pulling the string away from the body and letting it snap back against the fretboard.

4. "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" – Sly & The Family Stone

This is it: the song widely credited with inventing and popularizing the slap bass technique, thanks to the legendary Larry Graham. The riff is simple, powerful, and lays the groundwork for everything that came after.

• Why it's great for beginners: The entire line is played on an open E string. You don't even need your fretting hand at first! This lets you isolate and perfect your thumb slapping motion without any other distractions.
• Key techniques: Open string thumb slaps. It's all about rhythm, feel, and getting a consistent, punchy tone from your thumb.
• Pro Tip: Pay attention to the rests and the space between the notes. The power of this riff is in its syncopation and groove, not just the notes themselves.

5. "Aeroplane" – Red Hot Chili Peppers

Another Flea masterpiece from the One Hot Minute album, this one is a bit more melodic than "Can't Stop" but still very approachable for new players. The main groove is super bouncy and fun.

• Why it's great for beginners: It combines simple slapped notes with a few popped notes, helping you coordinate the two motions smoothly. The tempo is moderate, giving you time to think.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, pops, and slides. The slide at the end of the phrase adds a little bit of flavor and is a great, easy way to make your playing sound more professional.
• Pro Tip: The chorus switches to a fingerstyle line. This is a great opportunity to practice transitioning between different techniques within the same song, a key skill for any versatile bassist. For players inspired by Flea's style, exploring other iconic bass lines is a great next step.

6. "Take The Power Back" – Rage Against the Machine

Tim Commerford's basslines are known for being heavy, groovy, and creative. This track has a fantastic slap riff that is aggressive and rhythmic but not overly complicated.

• Why it's great for beginners: The riff is repetitive and uses a simple box shape on the fretboard that is easy to remember. It teaches you how to use dead notes as part of the groove.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, dead notes, hammer-ons. The dead notes (slapping a muted string) are essential for the percussive feel of this riff.
• Pro Tip: You need to dig in a bit to get Tim's aggressive tone. Don't be afraid to slap with a bit more force, but maintain control. A good setup on your bass with lower action will make this much easier.

7. "Get on the Floor" – Michael Jackson

Louis Johnson, nicknamed "Thunder Thumbs," is another slap bass pioneer. His work on Michael Jackson's Off the Wall is legendary. This track has an infectious slap line that will get anyone dancing.

• Why it's great for beginners: It's another fantastic song for practicing octaves. The pattern is consistent and stays locked in with the kick drum, which helps you develop a strong sense of rhythm. It's a prime example of a beginner funk bass line.
• Key techniques: Octaves, thumb slaps, pops, syncopation. The rhythm is a little trickier than some others on this list, so start slow.
• Pro Tip: Listen closely to how Johnson's bassline interacts with the drums. Slap bass isn't just a solo technique; it's part of the rhythm section's foundation. Your job is to lock in with the drummer.

8. "Fly Away" – Lenny Kravitz

This rock anthem features a simple but incredibly effective slap bass riff. It's a two-bar pattern that repeats for most of the song, making it very easy to learn and memorize.

• Why it's great for beginners: Simplicity and repetition. The riff primarily uses the open E string and a few fretted notes on the A string. It's a great exercise for building stamina.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps and hammer-ons. The key is to keep the energy up and maintain a consistent volume throughout the song.
• Pro Tip: This riff is all about the feel. Try to get a bit of a "swing" in your rhythm rather than playing it perfectly straight. It's that little bit of swagger that makes the line groove so hard. Many of the best bass intros in rock use this kind of simple, powerful approach.

9. "Glide" – Pleasure

Nathaniel Phillips delivered one of the smoothest and most influential slap bass lines of all time on this track. It's a bit more challenging than the others, but the main phrase is a pattern you can loop and practice until it's perfect.

• Why it's great for beginners (with a little practice): It introduces more melodic movement and combines slaps, pops, and hammer-ons into a fluid phrase. Mastering this riff will significantly improve your overall technique.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, pops, hammer-ons, and string skipping (popping the G string after slapping the E string).
• Pro Tip: Break the riff down into smaller chunks. Master the first two beats, then the next two, and then string them together. This "chunking" method is highly effective for learning more complex lines.

10. "Theme from Seinfeld"

Yes, really! That quirky, iconic TV theme is a fantastic slap bass exercise. It was played on a fretless bass on the recording, but you can absolutely play it on a standard fretted bass.

• Why it's great for beginners: The line is playful and forces you to move around the neck. It's not based on a single repeating riff, so it helps you practice sight-reading simple slap bass tabs and thinking more melodically.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, pops, slides, and trills (fast hammer-on/pull-off combinations).
• Pro Tip: Because the line is so melodic, focus on making every note clear and distinct. This is a great piece for working on the accuracy of both your fretting and slapping hands.

11. "Dark Necessities" – Red Hot Chili Peppers

This track from the album The Getaway shows a more modern and melodic side of Flea's slap playing. The main verse riff is a beautiful and groovy line that uses both slaps and finger pops.

• Why it's great for beginners: It's played at a relaxed tempo and combines slapped root notes with popped melodic fills. This teaches you how to use slap and pop to create a complete musical statement, not just a percussive effect.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, double-pops (popping two notes in quick succession), hammer-ons.
• Pro Tip: Pay close attention to the dynamics. Flea doesn't play every note at the same volume. Some slaps are accents, while others are softer ghost notes that add to the feel. Practicing dynamics will make your playing sound much more professional.

12. "Good Times" – Chic

Bernard Edwards was a fingerstyle master, but his iconic bassline for "Good Times" is so fundamental to funk that it's a perfect riff to adapt for slap practice. Its simple octave structure makes it an ideal workout.

• Why it's great for beginners: It's the ultimate octave workout. The entire song is built on a simple, repeating octave pattern that moves through a chord progression. It’s perfect for practicing clean thumb slaps on the low notes and crisp pops on the high notes.
• Key techniques: Octaves, timing, and consistency. Your goal is to make the octaves sound perfectly in time with the drums, creating a huge, danceable foundation.
• Pro Tip: Muting is critical here. Use your fretting hand to mute the strings you aren't playing to avoid unwanted noise. A clean octave line with good muting sounds incredibly tight and professional. The influence of this bassline is massive, having been sampled by artists with a high net worth like Busta Rhymes.

13. "Pick Up the Pieces" – Average White Band

This instrumental funk classic has a driving bassline that is a fantastic exercise in stamina and right-hand technique. The main riff is a syncopated pattern that is incredibly fun to lock into.

• Why it's great for beginners: It builds your rhythmic vocabulary. The pattern isn't just on the beat; it uses syncopation (playing on the off-beats) to create its funky feel.
• Key techniques: Thumb slaps, syncopation, and dead notes. Slapping muted strings is a huge part of this song's percussive attack.
• Pro Tip: Listen to the horn section and try to mimic their rhythmic phrasing with your bassline. Thinking like a horn player can help you nail the feel of classic funk tunes. It's a style that even artists like Donna Summer incorporated into their disco hits.

14. "Let's Go Crazy" – Prince

Prince was a phenomenal musician on every instrument, and his basslines were no exception. The synth-bass line in "Let's Go Crazy" translates perfectly to slap bass and is a simple, high-energy riff.

• Why it's great for beginners: The riff is short, repetitive, and uses only a few notes. It’s a great way to practice playing with speed and aggression without being technically difficult.
• Key techniques: Fast thumb slaps, repetition, and stamina.
• Pro Tip: This is all about energy. Play it like you mean it! This is a great song to play standing up and moving around to really get into the groove. That raw energy crosses genres, from Prince's funk-rock to metal bands with a surprisingly high DragonForce net worth.

15. "Brick House" – Commodores

Ronald LaPread’s bassline is the definition of groovy. While the original is fingerstyle, its octave-heavy structure and rhythmic pocket make it another perfect candidate for a slap bass adaptation.

• Why it's great for beginners: It teaches you about groove and "the pocket." The line sits perfectly between the kick and snare drum. Learning to feel that space is a crucial skill for any bassist.
• Key techniques: Octaves, slides, and rhythmic precision. The slide into the first note of the riff is a key part of its flavor.
• Pro Tip: Record yourself playing this line along with the original track. Listen back and ask yourself: "Am I perfectly in time with the drummer?" This is the best way to develop a rock-solid sense of time.

Song Title	Artist	Key Technique Focus	Difficulty (1-5)
Can't Stop	Red Hot Chili Peppers	Thumb Slaps & Muting	1
Another One Bites the Dust	Queen	Rhythmic Accuracy	1
Higher Ground	Red Hot Chili Peppers	String Crossing	2
Forget Me Nots	Patrice Rushen	Octaves (Slap & Pop)	2
Thank You	Sly & The Family Stone	Open String Slapping	1
Aeroplane	Red Hot Chili Peppers	Slap, Pop & Slides	2
Take The Power Back	Rage Against the Machine	Aggressive Slaps & Dead Notes	3
Get on the Floor	Michael Jackson	Syncopated Octaves	3
Fly Away	Lenny Kravitz	Stamina & Hammer-ons	2
Glide	Pleasure	Melodic Slap Phrases	4
Theme from Seinfeld	Jonathan Wolff	Melodic Movement	3
Dark Necessities	Red Hot Chili Peppers	Melodic Slap & Double-Pops	3
Good Times	Chic	Octave Consistency	2
Pick Up the Pieces	Average White Band	Syncopation & Dead Notes	3
Brick House	Commodores	Groove & Pocket	2

Core Techniques: Nailing the Thumb and Pop

Learning songs is the goal, but you need to nail the fundamental mechanics first. Let's break down the essential movements. Focused thumb technique practice like this is non-negotiable.

The Thumb Slap: Your Rhythmic Foundation

The "slap" is the engine of this technique. It provides the low-end punch and rhythmic drive.

1. Hand Position: Make a loose fist with your right hand (or left, if you're a lefty) and give a "thumbs up." Keep your wrist straight and relaxed.
2. The Motion: Rotate your forearm as if you're turning a doorknob. The motion should come from your elbow and forearm, not your wrist.
3. The Contact: The goal is to strike the string with the bony side of your thumb knuckle. You want to hit the string right over the last fret of the neck. Aim to bounce your thumb off the string immediately, like a trampoline. Don't let it rest there.

A common issue for beginners is a "rumbly" or unclear tone. This often comes from hitting the string with the fleshy part of the thumb or letting the thumb rest on the string after the hit. Focus on a quick, percussive bounce.

The Index Finger Pop: Adding the High-End Snap

The "pop" is the sharp, snappy counterpoint to the thumb slap. It's typically used on the higher strings (D and G).

1. Hand Position: After your thumb slap, your other fingers should be curled naturally under the higher strings.
2. The Motion: Hook your index or middle fingertip under the string you want to pop.
3. The Release: Pull the string up and away from the body of the bass and then release it, letting it snap back against the frets. This collision is what creates the signature "pop" sound.

A weak pop is a common problem. You need to be aggressive enough to get a good snap, but controlled enough that you don't pull the string out of tune. It's a fine balance that comes with practice.

Muting: The Secret to a Clean Slap Tone

This is the most overlooked but most important part of the technique. Uncontrolled, ringing strings will make your slap bass sound muddy and unprofessional. You need to use both hands to keep things clean.

• Fretting Hand: Use your index finger to lightly touch the strings you aren't playing. For example, if you're slapping the E string, let the tip of your fretting finger rest gently across the A, D, and G strings to keep them quiet.
• Slapping Hand: After you slap with your thumb, let the fleshy part of your palm rest on the lower strings to mute them. You can also use your unused fingers to mute the higher strings.

Mastering muting is a huge step. It's what separates sloppy playing from tight, professional grooves you'd hear from artists with a high net worth like Chris Stapleton.

Gear Recommendations for a Killer Slap Tone

While you can slap on any bass, some gear makes it easier to get that classic bright, percussive sound.

Best Bass Guitars for Slap

You're looking for a bass with good string spacing and a bright, punchy tone.

• Fender Jazz Bass: This is the quintessential slap machine. The two single-coil pickups provide a bright, articulate tone with a tight low end that is perfect for slap. The narrow neck is also very comfortable for many players.

Music Man StingRay: Another icon of the slap world. The StingRay's humbucker pickup and active preamp give it an aggressive, punchy tone with a sizzling top end that cuts through any mix.

Sire Marcus Miller Series: Designed with the slap legend himself, these basses offer incredible value and are specifically voiced to produce a fantastic slap tone right out of the box.

Strings and Amps

Your gear choices make a huge difference.

• Strings: Roundwound steel strings are the way to go for a bright, modern slap tone. Look for a fresh set, as old, dead strings will sound dull and lifeless. For specific recommendations, check out our guide to the best bass strings for slap.
• Amplifier EQ: To get a great slap tone, you'll typically want to use a "scooped" EQ setting on your amp. This means boosting the bass and treble frequencies while cutting the mid-range frequencies. This emphasizes the low-end punch of the slap and the high-end snap of the pop.

Getting a handle on your gear is as important as your technique. Knowing how to dial in the right sound is a key skill, just like knowing how to promote your music on Twitter is for a modern artist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I learn slap bass without knowing fingerstyle first?

Yes, you can. While many teachers recommend learning basic fingerstyle first to understand the instrument, there's no rule that says you must. If your primary goal is to play slap, you can start with basic thumb and pop exercises from day one. Focusing on the music that inspires you is the best way to stay motivated.

How do I stop my strings from ringing out and making noise?

This is all about muting. You need to use both your fretting hand and your slapping hand to silence any strings you aren't actively playing. For your fretting hand, use your index finger to lightly touch the higher strings. For your slapping hand, use your palm and unused fingers to rest on the strings after a hit. It feels awkward at first but will become second nature.

Why does my slap tone sound dull and not punchy?

This can be due to a few factors. First, check your technique. Make sure you're striking the string with the bony part of your thumb and letting it bounce off quickly. Second, check your gear. Old, dead strings will kill your slap tone. Put on a fresh set of roundwound steel strings. Finally, adjust your amp's EQ: boost the bass and treble, and cut the mids.

How long does it take to get good at slap bass?

It depends on your practice routine. With consistent, focused practice (even 15-20 minutes a day), you can learn the basic motion and play simple riffs within a few weeks. Becoming truly proficient and developing speed, accuracy, and a great feel can take months or years. The key is consistent, mindful practice.

Is slap bass only for funk music?

Absolutely not! While slap bass was born in funk, it has spread to nearly every genre. You can hear it in rock (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine), pop (Duran Duran), jazz fusion (Marcus Miller), and even country music. It's a versatile technique for adding rhythmic excitement to any style of music.

What's the difference between slapping and popping?

Slapping and popping are two halves of the same technique. The "slap" is when you strike a lower string (usually E or A) with your thumb, creating a deep, percussive sound. The "pop" is when you use your index or middle finger to snap a higher string (usually D or G), creating a bright, trebly sound. Combining them creates the full, classic slap bass groove.