The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

[sustain]

Hello guys, how do you finger-tap, I see guys like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and even some of you guys do it, but I still can't figure out how to do it properly!?!?!? Can you guys give me some exercises or something so I can learn how to finger-tap!?!?!? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/band.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/help.gif[/img]

[Shawn Lutz]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

it is basically just hammer-ons and pull-offs using your pick hand. I use the middle finger on my picking hand so I can go back and forth from tapping to picking smoothly.

[fuel0707]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

Shawn's right and I also agree with him on using the pick hand's middle finger for tapping. I like using that finger because I can continue to hold the pick in its regular playing position. That also allows you to do some Greg Howe- or Richie Kotzen-style sweep-and-tap licks.

To add to what Shawn said, you need to hammer on with the pick hand finger right behind the fret and give it a pretty good "whack" to get it to sound. Obviously, a higher gain setting will help the tapped note to come through, but with practice you'll probably be able to tap on an acoustic.

If you want a simple exercise to practice, try this one. On the B string, start with your left hand hammering from the 5th fret to the 8th fret. Then tap with your pick hand finger on the 12th fret, then pull off to the 8th fret and then to the 5th. Then repeat the same the notes again - up and back. You'll be playing an E minor arpeggio but more importantly it will give you a little melodic tapping exercise.

[MetalChef]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

I suggest you learn to tap with whatever finger works for you..index or middle, ring, pinky.

When I tap, I slightly flick or push the string a bit, enough to get the string to sound nicely, but not enough to bend the note. Aim to get the sound and tone smooth, very liquid like.

work on this with every finger on your picking hand...then you can start doing some really crazy multi finger tapping stuff once you get it down.

[Miffy rules]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

Pluck the string with your pick finger, but do NOT stab the fret board with it. It'd be eaiser if you rest your forearm on the body, and only use your palm and finer a little bit. Relax, and it'll go fast. [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] Well, theoretically. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[etaeniura]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

You can also use your picking hand finger to tap harmonics. The easiest ones are to tap 5,7 or 12 frets up from whatever note you are fretting. All you have to do is tap the string very lightly at those frets as the string is played. You can combine this with the "regualar" tapping to get some cool sounds.

[RR05xx]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

One thing that i will add is to take it slow and build speed. One thing that can wreck a tap is if you hit another string by accident (and your fret hand is doing something else and is not there to muffle) so you get a noise instead of that cool liquid effect you are probably after.

The "classic" EVH tap sequence is Tap then pull off to your fret hand pointer finger and then Hammer on with your fret hand pinky (ala eruption).

Try this:

On the third string:

Fret the 6th fret with your fret hand pointer finger and then "tap" with your pick hand (whatever finger - usually middle) at the 13th fret and pull off to your fret hand pointer finger (already fretting the 6th fret) and then hammer onto the 9th fret with your fret hand pinky. Make sure to let each note ring out for the full effect. (And add some distortion and flange and you are there)

Other poeple have there own tricks and sequences.

Good Luck.

[sustain]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

Thanks guys, what got me VERY interested in finger-tapping is when I downloaded this Steve Vai G3 thing and he was doing VERY INSANE tapping, the video was 1 minute and 10 seconds in length. Maybe one day I will be able to host it on a site or something!!! [img]graemlins/band.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[fuel0707]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

For what it's worth, I just got Greg Howe's REH video, "Hot Rock Licks" and he covers tapping pretty well. And he's got some interesting ways to use it to play lines across the neck instead of just along one string, ala "Eruption".

[KidPredator]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

I actually just turn the pick around a bit and tap with the pick.

I find it brings more sound and articulation to the tapping, it comes out louder IMHO.

However it is a double-edged sword, it is very easy to f**k it up and hit two strings or something like that, however it is the method I prefer and have practiced.

Try every way until there is one you like and practice that one and all the ones you hate. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[robofist]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

I use a pick sometimes too, but mostly for realy fast patterns that are meant to sound like tremolo picking. It's a sharper sound but, I'll agree, way easier to miss.

[delt]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

i also use the edge of the pick mostly, my right hand fingertips don't have enough "punch" to really sound the note.... practice i guess.....

you should see those finnish guitarists like Alexi Laiho or Jani Liimatainen doing sweep arpeggios and sticking a few tapped notes right smack in the middle of a sweep at 20 notes/second .......... insane.

[RacerX]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

Originally posted by delt:
Alexi Laiho

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Who? [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[delt]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

just some dude who formed a fuckin awesome black/death metal band and plays in another band with another kickass guitarist, and is also one of the best guitarists known to the human species [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[RacerX]

Re: The Technique of Finger-Tapping...

Easy, fella, I know who he is. He's been mentioned here over & over. [img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]