Popularised by legends like Eddie Van Halen, tapping is a powerful and flashy electric guitar technique that can add excitement and complexity to your playing. If you’ve already mastered the basics of tapping, it’s time to dive deeper and explore some intermediate techniques that will expand your repertoire and elevate your playing to the next level.
Expanding Your Tapping Vocabulary
Tapping isn't just about hitting the right notes; it's about incorporating fluidity and precision. Start by working on your hammer-ons and pull-offs to ensure they are clean and consistent. This foundation is crucial for more advanced tapping techniques. Try practicing scales and arpeggios using both hands. This not only builds dexterity but also helps you visualise the fretboard in new ways. One exercise is to tap a simple scale pattern, like a pentatonic scale, and move it up and down the neck, focusing on even timing and clear articulation.
Two-Handed Tapping
Moving beyond single-finger tapping, two-handed tapping opens up a world of possibilities. This technique involves using multiple fingers from both hands to tap out intricate patterns. Begin with simple patterns, such as tapping an octave or a fifth above a fretted note with your picking hand. Once you’re comfortable, try incorporating more complex intervals and melodic sequences. A good practice routine is to play a chord with your fretting hand and tap out a melody or harmony with your picking hand. This creates a rich, layered sound that can add depth to your solos.
String Skipping Taps
For a more dynamic and challenging approach, string skipping taps are an excellent technique to master. This involves tapping on non-adjacent strings, creating wide intervals and unusual melodic jumps. Start by tapping on the sixth string and then skip to the fourth or third string. Practice this slowly at first, ensuring each note rings out clearly. This technique not only sounds impressive but also builds precision and control. As you become more comfortable, try incorporating string skipping taps into your solos and improvisations to add a unique flair to your playing.
Combining Tapping with Other Techniques
To truly master intermediate tapping, it’s essential to integrate it seamlessly with other techniques. For example, combining tapping with legato phrases can create fluid, lightning-fast runs. Practice playing a legato lick and then add tapped notes to extend the phrase. Similarly, incorporating tapping into your sweep picking can produce stunning arpeggios that span the entire neck. Start with a simple sweep picking pattern and add a tapped note at the highest point of the arpeggio. This not only sounds impressive but also helps in connecting different positions on the fretboard.
Exploring Rhythmic Variations
Intermediate tapping isn’t just about note choice; rhythm plays a crucial role. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns to make your tapping more expressive. Try syncopated rhythms or odd time signatures to break out of the typical eighth or sixteenth note patterns. Practice tapping along with a metronome, varying the rhythm to develop a strong sense of timing. This can add a unique rhythmic complexity to your solos, making them stand out.
By expanding your tapping vocabulary, exploring two-handed tapping, mastering string skipping, combining tapping with other techniques, and experimenting with rhythmic variations, you’ll unlock new dimensions of your playing. As with any technique, practice is key. Sign up for an electric guitar course in Singapore if you wish to explore more about electric guitar tapping techniques.
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