I slap on five. It takes some adaptation, but it's worth the work, I think. I don't know what your preference is, but I'd avoid slapping on the low B. Others might like the dull "thunk", but I've never found the tone pleasing.

Basically, you have to learn accuracy. It takes a more subtle approach with a five-string, I've found. You'll adapt in time.

Good luck!

Bo

Good thing for me: I don't use a low-b. I use that set of GHS boomers with the high-c. I decided long ago that the sound of a low-b isn't what I wanted.

What kind of changes did you have to make to your technique, beside improving your accuracy?

That shows how different people can be. I couldn't get used to high-C tuning so I went back to low-B.

The only thing I have done to make the adjustment on slapping on five is to be more subtle. I've noticed that a lot of people think slapping is supposed to involve a lot of plucking hand movement.

When I got my right hand to calm down a little, my five-string accuracy improved a lot and my four string chops are clearer and more defined. Basically, I had to get my head and hand to realize that you don't have to beat your bass to make it do what you need it do. Treat it like a lady and it will respond in kind.

One more thing in the slapping thumb. Some folks slap directly down on the string and bounce it off. I do not--I choose to strike the string and let my thumb "pass through" to the fretboard. For me, this gives a meatier tone and allows for more speed in some instances as I can bring the thumb back up--striking the string--and ready myself for another thumb strike. It's called double thumbing.

That's probably more info than you wanted, but I tend to talk too much--sorry! : )

Bo

Slaaping is something I need to work on! I can do it every once in a while and it sounds great! I have some trouble gettting hand in the right position and slapping the correct string! LOL! :^D
Clifton

That definitely not too much. Very informative!

I'm not the best when it comes to slapping, so I haven't gotten the double thumbing thing down yet.

I also noticed what you noticed: brutalizing your bass doesn't equal better sound. The more I relax, the better I get. Too bad I have problems relaxing my hands, especially when I'm thinking about what I'm going to do. Hrm. I'll get there though.

One thing I've noticed about double-thumbing on a 5-string is that it's a lot like using a pick, without the pick. It involves a lot of the same technique and accuracy. Also, slapping on a fretless works fine for me (Carvin LB75). It has a nice, growling tone, but it doesn't work for all styles. One other thing, as far as not beating the bass to death, I tend to agree. The harder you try to hit the string, the more likely you are to miss it. Plus, playing harder will make you very tired very fast. One final thing, proper use of a compressor can greatly improve the overall slapping sound. It will help tighten everything up and create a more dynamically even response, characteristic of slapping styles.

Hope this helps!

Practice slow...
Slapping the low B is fine.

As alex said, practice. Start slow and gradually speed it up. Depending on what bass you have and the bridge on it, you may also need to mute the B string to keep it from ringing out. When I started slappin' on my 5'er it drove me nuts because the B string would constantly get louder while slapping the E until I realized I was not hitting it but that it would start "playing" on its own.

ML

What others said.
One thing that helped me out much when I changed from 4 to 5 was looking the picking/slapping hand.
When I was practising some line I had used to play with 4 strings I played it slow and looked my slapping hand all the time. That way I could easily and quite fast notice what I was doing "wrong".

-V

IMHO accuracy is the key to slapping on a five string. Im not a fan of slapping on the B string. I would suggest doing scales as you work on slapping ,start slowly, then build up speed as you get better at it, this will help your accuracy.