Learning Tapping Techniques For Electric Guitar

Learning tapping techniques for the electric guitar is something that most beginners will want to do. It is a guitar playing skill that came to prominence with the debut of Van Halen in the late 1970s. It was the insane soloing of Eddie Van Halen that really brought the concept to the attention of generations of guitar players around the world, and it has since been incorporated into rock guitar playing as a regularly used and very effective trick. It shouldn't be overused though, as that both sounds dull and also destroys a little of the entertainment and mystique of the technique.

You will find that learning tapping techniques for electric guitar is easy to start off with (I actually discovered how to do it myself by accident, then looked around to learn more). Basically, it is the practice of using hammer-ons and pull-offs to create notes rather than picking a fretted note. Both hands are up on the fretboard, and done properly, it can give the sound of a great many more notes being played than actual physical movement.

It's a fun thing to do, and placed right it can sound really superb. So exactly how do you start? Well, there are any number of guitar lessons on tapping techniques out there, but you will find a good simple way to begin is just to focus on your top E string.

Okay - first of all you need to place your first finger on the fourth fret and your ring finger on the seventh. Perform some hammer-ons in this position. Then, between each movement of your left hand, take a finger from your right (I use my middle finger usually, as I'm generally still holding my pick) and play two notes by hammering the string on the 9th fret and pulling off. This creates five notes when you have moved your fingers twice (hammer on/pull off/hammer on with the fretting hand and hammer on/pull off with the picking hand).

This is a very, very basic way to start to learn tapping techniques for electric guitar, but once you have the hang of it you can start to experiment with including more strings and exploring the frets for beautiful runs of notes. Tapping is all about creating more notes while actually moving your hands less. This technique then creates a wonderfully fluid sound that can be a gorgeous embellishment to any guitar solo.

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Finger Tapping on Guitar

Finger tapping on guitar is a great way to get some cool sounds from your guitar it is a modern technique and is used a lot today. This technique is utilized by numerous players one main one is Eddie Van Halen. He uses this concept very well. Finger tapping is performed without using a pick. Instead, it is done by tapping the strings on your guitar using both hands in the process.

One handing finger tapping

Get hold of your picking hand then reach over to the fret board, have your eyes set on one particular string then simply tap the string then simply brush it downwards making a sound.

Two handed finger tapping

Two finger tapping is more difficult than one finger tapping because you have to use two fingers in coordination with each other and you have to get the timing right. However, with practice you shall get better and coordination won't be such a problem. First of all, with your fretting hand, just simply pick a single note on any string, keep your finger on it but don't play it. Now using your would be picking hand, simply pick a different note on the same string as your fretting hand. Tap the string hard and then brush it downwards using the flesh of your finger then release, hence making a sound. After this the note played by your fretting hand is immediately sounded. When you pick a note with one hand make sure that it is within the same scale as the other note that is played. This happens very quickly. Repeat this action and as soon as you have done it accurately then increase the speed.

As soon as you have mastered this then try moving your fretting hand to play another note including playing the first part and take in turn with each hand changing the note. This will give you a longer riff to play and make it sound a bit more interesting.

Keep practicing this until you get the coordination right as it takes time for your muscles to get used to it. You will eventually develop muscle memory and will then appear easier for you and not much thought is required. As soon as it appears easy try increasing the amount of notes adding one more note each time. Eventually try playing up the guitar using all 6 strings. Feel free to add some distortion to the sound and why not use some reverb it will make you sound like a cool guitarist. Keep practicing every day trying different notes. You will find yourself creating your own licks and riffs in no time.

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Author. Ameen Jabbar

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Simple Guitar Finger Tapping Tips

Finger tapping is a great way to play like Van Halen- seriously! Although he never invented it, he made it famous through a rock masterpiece entitled "Eruption." Guitar finger tapping involves rapidly tapping the finger board with your plucking hand while you're fretting hand is busy with rapid series of hammer-ons. Word of warning though, you need to play this with slower tempo before building up your speed.

There are different ways on how to play guitar finger tapping, but this is one is the most important: clean up your tones. You need to mute all the extra strings before tapping. Forgetting to do so will create unnecessary noise pulsating through your speakers; coupled with the overdrive cranking up your sound and what you have is total disaster. In order to mute the open strings, place your arms along the guitar's body. If you are not comfortable with this, wrap a rubber band around the first fret. What is important is to mute the open strings in order to lessen the distortion.

Your plucking thumb should be on top of the neck-anchoring the rest of the fingers so that they will stay in place. To keep your rhythm in-check, play with a metronome. Initially set it on the slowest tempo and climb your way up to the quicker pace.

It is much easier to tap with your middle finger. Don't get into trouble of hiding your pick just to tap with your index. It's just a waste of time. So, with those in mind try these exercises and bring your guitar playing to the next level.

On the highest E-string, place your index fretting finger on the 5th fret and your ring fretting finger on the 8th fret. Next, tap the 12th fret higher E-string with your middle plucking finger. Tap it really hard in order to bring out the sound before dong a downward motion (v). The last step is to pull-off the ring finger from the 8th with a downward motion (V). To begin the next cycle, perform a hammer-on with your ring finger.

One you've had enough practice, try a two-hand tapping-where the left hand plays the bass notes while your right hand gives out the melody. This technique is similar with playing a piano.

For more reference about finger tapping, you may want to listen to different guitarists like: Kirk Hamett's solo in Metallica's album, "...And Justice For All"; Joe Satriani's "Surfing with The Alien"; Diamond Head's "Am I Evil"; Steve Hackett in "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight" and any solos by Steve Vai.

Developing a finger tapping skill requires constant practice and finger strength. Don't be discouraged if you are not seeing any improvement.

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