Guitar Tapping Techniques: Master The Art Of Shredding With These Expert Tips

If you’re a fan of rock and metal music, you’ve probably heard the term “guitar tapping” before. This technique, also known as “two-handed tapping” or “touch-style guitar”, involves using your fretting hand to tap the fretboard instead of plucking the strings with a pick or your fingers. The technique creates a range of sounds, from gentle, melodic tapping to blistering, lightning-fast runs. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of guitar tapping and give you some tips and techniques to help you master the technique.Guitar tapping has become a popular method of playing lead guitar in rock and metal music. It allows the player to produce different sounds and create runs which would not be possible with conventional techniques. In this article, we will explore the art of guitar tapping. From basic tapping exercises to advanced shredding techniques, we will cover everything you need to know to become a master of guitar tapping.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced guitarist, mastering guitar tapping takes practice, patience, and the right technique. In the following sections, we’ll break down some of the fundamental tapping exercises and play styles, as well as some advanced techniques that’ll take your playing to the next level. So let’s dive in!Before we jump into the exercises, let’s take a moment to understand the mechanics of guitar tapping. Essentially, you’ll be using your fretting hand to hammer-on and pull-off notes on the fretboard, rather than plucking the strings with your right hand. This allows you to play lightning-fast runs and complex melodies that would be difficult or impossible with conventional techniques.Once you have a basic understanding of guitar tapping mechanics, the best place to start is with some simple tapping exercises. In the next section, we’ll cover one-finger, two-finger, and three-finger tapping exercises that will help you build speed, accuracy, and coordination. These exercises are also great warm-ups for more advanced techniques, so make sure you practice them regularly!After you’ve mastered the basic tapping exercises, you can move on to more advanced techniques. In the third section of this article, we’ll cover arpeggio tapping, sweep tapping, hammer-on/pull-off tapping, and slide tapping. Each of these techniques requires a high level of technical proficiency and precision, so take your time and practice them slowly at first. With regular practice, you’ll be shredding like a pro in no time!

Basic Tapping Exercises

One of the most popular exercises to begin tapping on guitar is the one-finger tap. This exercise involves tapping the string with one finger and pulling off with another finger. By practicing this exercise, beginners can get their fingers used to the technique and build speed and accuracy with their tapping.To advance further, you can move on to the two-finger and three-finger tapping exercises which are more complex. Two-finger tap combines two notes, while three-finger tap involves using three fingers simultaneously to produce rapid sequences of notes. As you gain momentum, you’ll notice your hand coordination and finger strength improving, which is essential for more advanced tapping techniques.

Two-finger tapping exercises are significant for developing finger flexibility and increasing tap speed. A standard two-finger tapping exercise involves tapping the string with your index finger and pulling off with your ring finger. Additionally, you can try a reverse two-finger tapping exercise where you will tap with your ring finger and pull off with the index finger. This exercise will improve your finger coordination and rhythmic accuracy. Once you have mastered the two-finger tap, you can move towards three-finger tapping which will help you in playing more complex and faster tapping sequences.For three-finger tapping exercises, start with tapping with your index, middle, and ring finger, then sliding up a fret and repeating the sequence. You can also try various patterns with three fingers, such as tapping with the middle finger and the ring finger and then using the pinky finger to pull off. Keep practicing each exercise until your timing and accuracy become second nature, then gradually ramp up the speed and complexity to get comfortable with advanced tapping techniques.Moving into advanced tapping techniques, arpeggio tapping is the first technique where you will tap out an arpeggio pattern on the fretboard. Arpeggio tapping uses sweeping motions, simultaneous hammer-on, and pull-off techniques. It requires a lot of time and practice to get it right and develop speed and accuracy. Another important technique is the sweep tap, which is similar to arpeggio tapping but incorporates sweeping motion. This technique mostly used for shredding and seamless movement in solos. Keep working on each technique at a slower pace and practice it until you can speed up without compromising accuracy.

Advanced Tapping Techniques

One of the most popular techniques in guitar tapping is the arpeggio tap. This technique involves tapping out different arpeggios on the fretboard to create complex sounds with a lot of movement. To perform an arpeggio tap, you need to use your fretting hand to tap out the notes while using your picking hand to sweep across the strings. This technique can be used to create a wide range of different sounds, from fast and technical to slow and melodic. To master the arpeggio tap, it’s important to practice slowly and focus on your technique, building up speed over time.

Another popular technique in guitar tapping is the sweep tap. This technique involves sweeping across the strings with your picking hand, while tapping out notes with your fretting hand. The goal is to create a fast and fluid motion that seamlessly combines picking and tapping techniques. While this technique can be difficult to master, it can create an impressive and unique sound that can elevate your playing to the next level. To improve your sweep tapping skills, it’s important to practice regularly and start with slow, simple patterns before working your way up to more complex ones.When performing the slide tap, you use your fretting hand to slide up or down the string after tapping a note. This can create a unique and interesting sound that can be used in a variety of musical contexts. To perform a slide tap, you need to use your fretting hand to tap a note, then slide your finger up or down the string while maintaining contact with the string. This will cause the pitch of the tapped note to change, creating a sliding sound. Practice this technique slowly and focus on precision, as it can be difficult to control the pitch of the slide tap. With time and practice, you’ll be able to incorporate this technique into your music and create a unique and distinctive sound.Continuing with advanced tapping techniques, another option is the hammer-on/pull-off tap. This technique involves hammering on and pulling off with the fretting hand while tapping with another finger. To perform a hammer-on/pull-off tap, you need to start by tapping a note with your finger, then immediately following up with a hammer-on or pull-off with your fretting hand on the same string. This creates a rapid and rhythmic tapping sound that can add interest and complexity to your playing. To master this technique, it’s important to start slowly and practice each component separately before combining them. Pay attention to hand coordination and timing, gradually building up speed and complexity as your skill improves.

Tips for Improving Your Tapping

Another advanced tapping technique is the legato tap, which involves using legato playing techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides in combination with tapping. This creates a fluid and seamless sound that’s great for fast and technical playing.

To perform a legato tap, start by tapping a note with your fretting hand. Then use legato techniques like hammer-ons and pull-offs to add additional notes on the same string. You can also use slides to move between different strings while still tapping with your picking hand.

This technique requires a high level of finger strength and dexterity, so it’s important to start slowly and practice regularly. Focus on your hand positioning and timing, gradually building up speed and complexity over time. With practice, you’ll be able to use the legato tap to create intricate and impressive sounds that will wow any audience.

The tap harmonic is another advanced tapping technique that can be used to create unique and interesting sounds. This technique involves tapping a note on the fretboard with your fretting hand and then immediately touching the string with a finger on your picking hand, creating a harmonic sound.

To perform a tap harmonic, first tap a note on the fretboard as you would with any other tapping technique. Quickly lift the tapping finger away from the fretboard while simultaneously touching the string above the fret with a finger on your picking hand. This will create a harmonic sound that’s characteristic of the technique.

The key to performing a tap harmonic is applying the right amount of pressure with your picking hand finger. Too much pressure will mute the note, while too little pressure will fail to produce the harmonic. With practice, you’ll be able to find the sweet spot that produces the best sound, allowing you to incorporate this unique technique into your playing for added flair and complexity.Continuing with advanced tapping techniques, the final technique we’ll discuss is the double-handed tap, which involves using both hands to tap on the fretboard simultaneously. This technique creates a complex and impressive sound that’s great for fast and technical playing.

To perform a double-handed tap, start by positioning your hands on the fretboard with the fingers of your left hand on the lower strings and the fingers of your right hand on the higher strings. Then, simultaneously tap notes on the fretboard with both hands to create complex patterns and melodies.

By incorporating the double-handed tap into your playing, you can create intricate and impressive sounds that will make your guitar playing stand out. With practice and dedication, you’ll be able to master this technique and use it to take your playing to the next level.

Conclusion

While it’s important to practice these advanced tapping techniques individually, don’t forget to incorporate them into your playing as a whole. Once you have a good grasp of these techniques, try integrating them with other techniques like bending, vibrato, and tapping in different positions on the fretboard. This will allow you to create dynamic and interesting solos that showcase your tapping skills while also demonstrating your versatility as a guitarist.

It’s also important to remember that while tapping can be an impressive technique, it’s not the only tool in your arsenal. Make sure to incorporate other techniques like picking, strumming, and legato playing into your playing as well. By combining different techniques, you’ll be able to create a unique and distinctive sound that’s all your own.

In summary, guitar tapping is a technique that can take your playing to the next level, and with these tips and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to mastering it. Start with the basics, practice regularly, and focus on your technique, and before you know it, you’ll be shredding like a pro.

Whether you’re performing for a live audience, recording in the studio, or just jamming with friends at home, guitar tapping can add a new dimension to your playing. By experimenting with different techniques and incorporating them into your own style, you can create unique and impressive sounds that will leave a lasting impression on your listeners.

So why not give it a try? With these tips and techniques, you’ll be well-equipped to start exploring the world of guitar tapping. Remember to start with the basics, practice regularly, and focus on your technique, and you’ll be on your way to mastering this exciting technique in no time.