Single Hand Slaps

• 1). Relax the hands and rest them on the rim of the drum. For the open slap, cup one hand slightly with the fingers in front of the palm. This will be your playing hand. Place the other hand just above the drum skin but not touching the drum.
  
  
• 2). Bring the playing hand down on the drum to play the “slap," hitting the rim on the drum with your palm and letting the fingers bounce off the drum skin with a slap. Keep the hand relaxed and repeat until you hear the snap of the slap tone.
  
  
• 3). Relax both hands and place on the rim of the drum. For closed slap keep one hand placed on the skin of the drum. Lift the other hand and form the cup with fingers bent slightly forward.
  
  
• 4). Maintain one hand on the drum skin. Bring the other down on the drum as before, hitting the rim with the palm but snapping the fingertips off the head to play the slap.
  
  

Two Hand Slaps

• 1). Place both hands on the edge of the drum. For open slap with both hands, lift one hand ready to play the slap. The other should be relaxed just above the drum skin but not touching it.
  
  
• 2). Bring the playing hand down. As the first hand hits the rim of the drum and slaps the head with the fingers, lift the alternate hand and repeat the process on the other side. Gradually increase in speed.
  
  
• 3). For closed slaps, relax both hands keep one hand on the drum skin. Lift the other hand and play the slap using the palm and fingertips.
  
  
• 4). Lift the alternate hand and repeat on the other side. Gradually increase the speed of playing.