Finger tapping is a very fast guitar technique in which the picking hand is used to "tap" individual notes on the fretboard, while the fretting hand can either remain stationary or be used to do
hammer-ons/pull-offs to create even faster playing. Popularized in rock music by
Eddie van Halen (YT, great visual example) in the late 1970's, the technique has become almost essential for speed/metal guitar players. Although finger tapping has been dismissed as "wankery" by some, I think that the intense, jazzy stylings of
Stanley Jordan prove them wrong. (
here is Stanley playing two guitars!) For more tapping madness you can enjoy the furious, virtuous insanity of
Dragonforce (
full video), and be sure not to miss the speed genius of
Mr. Batio. Tapping isn't just for metal though, you can do it on a
bass or an
acoustic (amazing video).
Want to learn how?
This lesson should get you started.
posted by baphomet
on Dec 21, 2006 -
117 comments
