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Spank the Plank

4 Extra Debut. Mitch Benn investigates the slap bass technique which became the engine of funk – gearing up for a live performance. From 2011.

The low, rootsy twang prevalent in funk music is called β€˜slap bass’ - a tricky, sometimes divisive guitar technique involving whacking the bass strings with your thumb.

Comedian Mitch Benn charts its progression from the upright double basses of the 1930s, through Elvis Presley to the high energy rock of bands like Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Primus.

Talking to players like Yolanda Charles, Mark King and Guy Pratt, and musicologist Sid Griffin, Mitch discovers how the bass guitar emerged from back of the stage to the front, and into the bright lights of disco and '70s funk.

But Mitch is going to do more than talk about slap bass.

He's going to learn how to do it and in preparation for a very discerning audience at the legendary Wunjo’s Bass and Keyboard Shop in London’s Denmark Street.

Producer: Kevin Core

First broadcast on ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 in November 2011.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 10 Dec 2021 02:30
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

Clips

See all clips from Spank the Plank (2)

Music Played

  • The Jam (feat. Graham Central Station)

  • I Want Your Love (feat. Guy Pratt)

  • That's Alright Mama (feat. Elvis Presley)

  • Lessons In Love (feat. Level 42)

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

    No Chump Love Sucker

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers

    Nobody Weird Like Me

  • Ramones

    Blitzkrieg Bop

  • The Beatles

    Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!

  • Jonathan Wolff

    Seinfeld

  • Tommy the Cat (feat. Primus)

  • Jonathan Wolff

    Seinfeld

    Featured Artist: Kevin Core.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Nov 2014 11:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Thu 9 Dec 2021 14:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 10 Dec 2021 02:30
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra

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