Tapping Basics

First of all, there are two types of tapping. One is with the left hand, which is already playing all the notes anyway, and the other is with the right hand, which actually has no business up there in the first place.

Tapping with the left hand is called “hammer-on” or “pull-off.” It’s actually the exact same technique, but they’re called differently because the effort is likely much smaller.

The proper tapping is indeed with the right hand, which typically holds the pick.

Tapping with the right hand is indicated on the tabs with small ‘T’s.
It’s also important not to do it with the index finger. Normally, you hold the pick there, and it takes far too much time to stash it somewhere and then retrieve it again for just a single tapped note.

Tapping Exercise 1

In this example, we’re playing an A minor arpeggio. Unlike normal arpeggios where only the left hand plays and the right hand plucks the strings, in this tapping example, no strings are played with the right hand at all.

It takes a bit of practice since initially it seems illogical to produce sounds from strings without actually plucking them. But you’ll get used to it, and eventually, it will work! 🙂

Tapping Exercise 2

In this example, we’re “cheating” a bit and making it sound much faster and more complicated than it actually is. This trick is used by many, and once you’ve played this example enough times, if someone plays the first 3 notes, you’ll know exactly where the rest of the lick is going.
I always tell my students to play this lick exactly like this only when they’re performing for someone who’s never seen such technical wizardry before. That way, they’ll never realize that most of it is just “cheating.”

The notes are exactly the same as in the first example. However, we’re moving up and down on the G string. That makes everyone think you’re playing about 100 more notes and at least 10 times faster.

Tapping Exercise 3

The last example is quite something. Because ‘normal’ tapping is just too boring (haha!), two-finger tapping is currently very trendy.
Actually, it’s so trendy right now that it’s almost going out of style again, but yes, practicing this won’t hurt and will give your technique a significant boost.

Here, close attention should be paid to the fingers. The middle finger and ring finger of the right hand should be used for tapping in this manner. The pinky finger (of the right hand) is generally a bit stubborn and doesn’t always cooperate as well as one would like. But of course, it’s all about practice, and even the pinky finger can be trained.

Why make it complicated when it can be simple?

Exactly. Tapping can also be very simple. For example:

In Number 1, the left hand remains stationary, and only the right hand moves up and down. Number 2 is exactly the opposite. Here, the right hand stays still, and the left one moves up and down.
This is the simplest form of tapping and can be learned quite quickly.

Sure, it may sound amazing and impress most people!

Pay close attention at the next concert and watch the guitarist when they start tapping (if they do at all).
Now you should have a pretty good idea which of the 4 variations they’re playing.