The Eighth Note
This is an eighth note. It lasts for half a count. There are eight eighth notes in one bar of * time.
When eighth notes are joined together the tails are replaced by one beam.
Play the following example using the thumb slapping technique in exactly the same way as you would play quarter, half or whole notes. The only difference here is that the notes are closer together. Tap your foot on each beat and count out loud as you play. Listen carefully as you play and make sure all the notes are even in length, tone and volume.
Once you can play eighth notes on the open A string, try moving across all of the strings as shown here. Once again, keep your notes even in length, tone and volume.
Here are some slap bass lines which make use of eighth notes. As with everything you play, be sure to use left hand damping to avoid extra unwanted sounds.
Practice your Blues scales using 8th notes as shown here. First run through the scale playing each note once, and then playing each note twice. Make sure all your notes sound strong and even.
