5
Tapping Licks
By
Matt Hale
Matt here again
with a brief column concerning multi-finger tapping.
First
off T1=tapping with the first finger, T2= Tapping with the second
finger, and so on. Pay close attention to any extraneous noise
that occurs while tapping. This can be prevented either by using
a string dampener, or by muting the strings with the left hand.
Lick
#1 Simply follow the tab on this one. Make sure that
you maintain tapping accuracy and keep it clean.
Lick
#2 This lick is a great way to introduce yourself to
multi-finger tapping. In the tab I used the T2 and T3 fingers,
but if you are new to this type of play use your T1 and T2 fingers.
Each two string grouping begins with two adjacent string taps,
followed by two notes played with the left hand. This pattern
moves across the finger board until it reaches the b sting, where
the pattern shifts to a basic legato pattern.
Lick
#3 Is another great way to incorporate multi-finger tapping
into your playing. This lick requires the use of your T1 and T4
fingers. (a common problem is the inability for the T4 finger
to co-operate, so this lick will help) Begin by tapping with the
T4 finger, then immediately pull off to the notes fretted by the
left hand. Next tap with the first finger, and again pull off
to the left hand’s notes. This pattern moves across the fingerboard
and can lead to very fluid legato patterns.
Lick
#4 This Lick uses something I like to call cross-arm
tapping. Think piano. The first step requires two hammer-on’s
with the left hand (no picking at all). Next tap with the T1,T2,T3,T4
fingers of the right hand to the appropriate string. To help with
extra string noise use the left hand to mute all six string during
this section. Each finger will release as soon as the following
note sounds, not ringing tones. Once the T4 finger taps the 15th
fret on the high E string the left hand "crosses-over"
and hammers onto the 20th fret and then pulls back off to the
15th fret still being fretted by the right hand. Simply descend
the same way you ascended. This is a cool way to incorporate all
four fingers into your bag of tricks. Also, it can look very elegant
when played, much like a piano.
Lick
#5 Finally, this lick is very similar to lick #4. Use
hammer-ons to initiate the first the notes with the left hand
(c5). Secondly, Use the T1,T2,T4 fingers to tap the next five
notes. (again left hand will mute) Once the notes played with
the right hand have been played, return to the left hand hammer-ons
of the first chord, but in descending order. The next little chunk
of tapping goodness requires, again, three notes hammered by the
left hand. After this use the T1 finger to tap the g string at
the 12th fret and slide upward to the 15th fret. Then simply follow
the same procedure as before. T1,T2,T4 will tap each string they
are assigned to. The lick will descend the same way it ascendeds.
This is a fun, and different way to approach tapping. Try adding
it to your playing.
Thanks,
Matt
www.myspace.com/fret_happy
matthew.hale@wku.edu
