Finger Tapping

By Shane Chess

4/27/02  

    Hey Shredders! Today we are going to do some basic tapping exercises. Tapping is one of my favorite things to do on the guitar. You can do some pretty cool sounding stuff if done properly! So let's jump right into it.

    Example 1 is a simple exercise to help you get the idea of how tapping is done.  All that you do is tap on the first string sixth fret with your picking hand on preferably your index or middle finger.  Just tap down and off the string.  Then very quickly hammer-on and pull-off on the second fret first string with your fret hand. Keep doing this for four times, then tap on the seventh fret and fret on the third fret. Be sure to tap on the actual frets! Keep doing this up and down the neck until you are comfortable, then move on to example 2.

T - Tap
H - Hammer-on
P - pull-off

Example 1:

T H P T H P T H P T H P T H P T H P T H P T H P
_6__2_0_6_ 2_0_6_2 0_6_2_0_____7_3_0_7_3_0_7_3_0_7_3_0_
I______________________________________________________I
I______________________________________________________I
I______________________________________________________I
I______________________________________________________I
I______________________________________________________I

    Example 2 is the D Mixolydian 2nd position.  Fret the fifth string fifth fret and tap on the twelfth fret and hammer on the rest of the notes on the fifth string.  Repeat this on each string until you get to the second string.  Then fret the second string seventh fret and tap on the fourteenth fret and then hammer out the rest of the notes.  Repeat this on the first string.

Example 2:
D Mixolydian 2nd Position

T H H H
E _______________________________________T__H_H_H____14_7_8_10_
B ____________________________T__H_H_H___14_7_8_10______________I
G ________________T__H_H_H___12_5_7_9___________________________I
D __T_H_H_H______12_5_7_9_______________________________________I
A _12_5_7_9______________________________________________________I
E _______________________________________________________________I

You can experiment with different scales and modes, just keep practicing! Next lesson we will get into some cool tapping licks and tricks!

SEE YA! -Shane