Tapping Tutorial - introduction to "touch style"

[Devo]

Hey everyone

a couple have e-mailed me recently expressing an interest in "touch style" technique for the guitar, so I decided that I would run a set of tutorials starting with some standard tapping exercises and working up to some really intricate stuff so everyone could have a go.

If you want I can post some mp3s to go with the tab and backing tracks for the later tutorials.

If you have any questions let me know

enjoy

Steve

[Devo]

Tutorial one

tutorial one

heres some nice stuff to start with,

with the first exercise the thing to watch out for is that when ascending, the index finger on the left hand sounds the notes (can be tricky and often end up chocked or muffled)

similarly with the second exercise.

the third is just standard scale passage.

see ya soon

(Edited by Devo at 11:52 pm on July 17, 2001)

[jem7vwh]

nice job

[bachle7]

Quote: from Devo on 4:49 pm on July 17,
with the first exercise the thing to watch out for is that when ascending, the index finger on the left hand sounds the notes (can be tricky and often end up chocked or muffled)

Do you mean that you should hammer on with the index finger?

[Devo]

exactly,

when your ascending your left hand leads and right hand follows so your left hand index finger has to hammer the notes

(cheers jem7vwh it will get alot trickier I promise)

[bachle7]

Devo, *Thanks! *I have never tapped an ascending run before; that's awesome! *-Andy

[Devo]

cool man!

keep an eye out ! the next one is almost finished and Im working on a backing track for the first piece which will use all the examples up to when its released

Steve

[JT Szymanski]

How do you keep the excess noise down when you jump strings. *Mute with edge of fretting fingers or right hand palm?

[Devo]

you use the palm of your right hand to mute the bass strings and the under side of your fingers on your left hand to mute the treble strings.

for one finger right-hand I find this to be the easiest, when we move on to all four fingers in the right hand the left hand technique is adapted to the right hand.

Steve

[Devo]

tutorial two

watch out for the where the right hand makes two "taps" I use my index and second finger, Vai style players will use second and third, its only a matter of personal preference.

again make sure to sound the notes with your left hand clearly,

this is an exercise in independance so the left hand dosent require a "pull-off" from the right.

this ones slightly trickier :glare: but looks and sounds

Steve

[Devo]

is this stuff still too easy, I can bump it up a few notches?

If this pace is cool, let me know

steve

[JT Szymanski]

Thanks for the help. *This stuff is all new to me, so the pace is fine.

[Devo]

Example Piece

Click Here

Here is the first page of a piece by an english guitarist Shawn Baxter (guitar techniques),

I dont know if its exactly 100% correct but it has been stuck in my mind for the last three or so years.

It uses all the techniques from the first two tutorials.

I play it 16ths at about 190 ish any faster and I find you lose the melody.

He plays it around 140 ish I think so dont go sacrificing accuracy for speed!!!

Ill post the next page tommorow.
but for now enjoy.

Steve


(Edited by Devo at 9:43 pm on July 26, 2001)

[Devo]

OK what next, whoever is reading this should decide.

Im almost finished the standard sort of tapping stuff, as at this early stage we have covered almost all the basics and most of the harder parts.

we can go in one of two directions;

Stanley Jordan 'Stairway To Heavan'
or
more standard tapping tricks.

post and let me know

Steve

[The Euphor]

Go towards the total touch style!
Staircase in Devon would be great. Even though they've got elevators...

I would like to see more stuff where the hands play separately, like chords and melody. The same song I hope.

Good work, Steve! Tap on...