Talk:Tapping

Untitled
I'm going to remove that line about Page - there is no tapping whatsoever in the Heartbreaker solo. It's fret hand pulloffs - 5p2p0 on the G string - Eddie was inspired by this to come up with the idea for tapping when he saw that you could use the fret hand up higher on the D string as sort of a movable nut and then use the picking hand finger to sound the high note. That 5p2p0 becomes t10p7p5 - it's the same notes: C A G. TabsAZ 23 October 2005

This is in conflict with another piece on Jimmy Page, which attributes the first use of the tapping technique to him.

I have another candidate for the "first": Enver Izmailov. Gaidash 1 July 2005 23:24 (UTC)

Jimmie Webster predates Izmailov by a few decades. See Dave Bunker's page on the history of tapping

I think someone should add back the "Portato" technique in two-handed tapping, because by applying this technique the guitarist can increase the ability of controlling dynamics.

Lenny Breau - That no one has mentioned Lenny Breau is shameful. Brprivate (talk) 20:53, 9 April 2015 (UTC)

Hammer-on removed
A hammer-on is not the same thing as two-handed tapping, so I'm removing that.216.249.144.15 18:42, 24 April 2006 (UTC)

Hammer-on involved
Hammer-on should be added back, although it's not same as tapping:

An ordinary tapping consists of hammer-on and pull-off.

For example, 12t8p5 The guitarist should tap(right hand hammer-on) on the 12th fret, and then release (right hand pull-off) to the 8th fret, while the left hand finger should plant on the 8th fret before releasing the 12fret.

For the 2-hand tapping (which is totally another matter to ordinary tapping approach), the guitarist can tap (right hand hammer-on) the note, and sustain it; meanwhile, left hand can be playing the bass melody/accompaniment.

In short, hammer-on is one of the components that build up the tapping technique, so I think it should be added back.

Two handed arpeggio
should the term two handed arpeggio be included somewhere in the artical? as it is an accepted term for the technique in many musical circles, and sometimes more acurately discribes the what is being played.--Anthraxrulz 05:31, 1 August 2006 (UTC)

Mr. Crowley Tapping Reference Removed
Neither solo (middle or ending) involve tapping. Parts of each contain left hand hammer on/pull off alternated with picking, but that is an entirely different thing. The beginning arpegio section of the exiting solo is all picked. For confirmation, there is video footage available on the net of Randy playing this song. - Celtic Katie

Makeshift capo
Another technique that should be included here is the use of either hand as a sort of capo, placing a finger (or fingers, to create more complex tapping licks) accross the fretboard, using the available hand to tap out runs or licks (or whatever you want to call them). This technique is useful in changing key mid-performance seemlessly, or in just creating more complex tapping leads and solos. Input? ---Kyle

One-Handed given much more detail
Alright, so I decided to go into a lot of detail about the One-Handed technique. I just felt there wasn't anywhere near as much practical and technical information contained there, like for instance in the Sweep Picking article. Maybe I went a biiiit overboard, but you can never have too much information, right..? ;)

Confusion over "tapping" and "right-hand hammer ons/pull offs"
What is mostly being discussed here and explained as "tapping" (and doesn't seem to be clear) is really the technique of right handed hammer ons and pull offs used in tandem with left handed hammer ons and pull offs. I'll refer to this technique as "right-handed hammer ons" for simplicity. A perfect example of this on Van Halen's first album is in the solo "Eruption" where "most" of the technique being used there is "right-handed hammer ons". I used the word "most" above in reference to "Eruption" because arguably, the last two notes of the piece sound like "tapping" (not sure) where he then allows the guitar/amp to go into feedback and then uses his digital delay to drop the pitch (like a dive bar but it's not). Tapping is different. Tapping is taking any note, anywhere on the fretboard, and quickly tapping your finger twelve frets above that note. For example, fret the first string with your index on the fifth fret (A). Now, move up 12 frets to the 17th fret and, using your index finger, merely "tap" the string. Like tapping your finger on a table. You get a combination of both the note and the harmonic associated with the remaining length of the string. Eddie starts putting more tapping in their second album and then by their "Mean Street" album, he's gone completely bonker tapping happy. Check it out. Some of you that have a classical guitar background may think that he's fretting a note with his left hand (for right-handed guitarists), and then moving his right hand up 12 frets to do a regular harmonic. An example of this would be to place your left hand index finger on the first string fifth fret (making an A). Then put your right hand index finger directly over the 17th fret (12 frets up) and pick the string with either your middle finger or usually your ring finger. Instead of getting an "E" harmonic on the 12th fret, you get an "A" harmonic five frets up. This is not what Eddie is doing! He is "tapping" like I explained above. The current Wikipedia definition of "Tapping" is incorrect. If you don't believe me, just ask "Eddie".

67.187.174.15 23:49, 21 February 2007 (UTC) Steve

Audio samples
Hi. On fr: we've added two audio samples which may be interesting: jd 15:46, 25 March 2007 (UTC)
 * commons:Guitare tapping.ogg (distorsion)
 * commons:Clean tapping sample.ogg (clean)

Van Halen
Shouldn't there be some mention of Eddie in the two handed tapping section? He obviously didnt invent it but many think he did and he did some amazing stuff with it

One Handed Tapping Question
Hey people, the article you've made is great. But I have a doubt about the "one handed tapping" section. ¿Does really exist "one handed tapping" as a technique that involves both hands?

I mean, I think one handed tapping is a way of playing the fret only with one hand (usually left hand, you can use the right hand, but it is less usual), like Jason Becker does on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVynmM7fDZs

Or even in the intro of this AC/DC's video, Thundestruck:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNvV00-hWRA

When the technique uses both hands to play, then I think it's allways two handed tapping. What I mean is, even the EVH technique was two handed, but in a very basic form, using just one finger tapping mixed with left hand legato, all in the same string, in order to make a "cascade-like sound" effect.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong. Please, let me know your opinion. :-)


 * That was my thought too on reading this page -- I've never heard the "Eruption" technique described as "one-handed tapping". As you say, on its face it's just incorrect. Perhaps there's a usage out there I'm not familiar with, though. Ornetto (talk) 15:26, 14 December 2008 (UTC)


 * In what way is "one-handed tapping" different from a simple hammer-on? Weeb Dingle (talk) 06:41, 27 April 2017 (UTC)

Two hand tapping above the fretboard
I can't find info on the Internet anywhere about the technique in which both hands are on the same side above the fretboard. I know in the "Through The Fire and Flames" video Totman and Li each use this technique.


 * Please clarify how a guitar is played with both hands "above the fretboard." Weeb Dingle (talk) 06:42, 27 April 2017 (UTC)


 * like how normal playing is with your hand under the neck they mean tapping with your hand above the neck to tap on the lower strings more easily. Imagine_offline (talk) 11:44, 10 August 2020 (EST) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.203.65.90 (talk)

History
There is no mention of Celedonio Romero in this article at all but if you listen to his "Fantasia" from Suite Andalucia you can hear this. There are also films of Pepe and Angel playing and tapping on classical guitar - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ciir5unOJo.

It's an area that should be explored. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.179.180.116 (talk) 17:46, 27 June 2009 (UTC)

I'm surprised there is no mention of Angus Young from AC/DC. In the 1976 recording of "Dirty Deeds", the solo clearly uses finger tapping of a similar technique that Eddie Van Halen uses just two years later with Eruption. He's working up the scale just as EVH does. I think it's fair to say AC/DC are a fairly influential band and this record pre-dates Van Halen. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.170.226.61 (talk) 07:46, 4 August 2015 (UTC)

Disambiguation
Seems like the term 'tapping' is used in many different contexts. I note the disambiguation page which exists. Would it make sense for the disambiguation page to have the title 'tapping' and for this to be tapping (guitar) or something similar? Hugh Mason (talk) 15:55, 13 August 2010 (UTC)


 * Having re-read the article and this Talk page, I'm inclined to agree, but I'm getting the impression it wouldn't help much. Seems as though fanboys would rather insist that their personal Guitar God "does that too!!" rather than pause to figure out what's actually being discussed.
 * No mention of Fred Frith? Shame!
 * Here's how I see it: If everyone does it, then it's not notable, therefore the entire article should be deleted.
 * For example, I might have to cut Some guitarists may choose to tap using the sharp edge of their pick instead of fingers... and everything else pasted in here that runs off in that direction. FWIW — speaking as a guitarist, I'll say that occasionally whacking the high-E string with the edge of the pick IS NOT AT ALL like actual both-hands fretting as employed by DeArmond or Chapman or Jordan.
 * Paganini was more showman than virtuoso. Smeck too was primarily a showman. The History section is more appropriately Precedents.
 * That One-handed tapping section is a decent-enough instructional bit about hammer/pull playing (WP:NOHOWTO), but totally lacking citation, therefore opinion, therefore would have no place in a WP article — fix it or cut it. The next section is almost as bad, because it BEGINS by implying that a pulloff is somehow inherent to tap-style playing, which is entirely untrue. Both inflict pedagogical terms (again, WP:NOHOWTO) to obfuscate the lack of understanding. I'm pretty certain that Tapped harmonics section is nonsense, and certainly doesn't recognize pinch harmonic technique.
 * Also, let's reduce some of the fanboy ravings, such as repeated intrusion of Saint Eddy (I count 13 apppearances of the surname). Anyone who wants specifics can head to the bios. Besides, Guthrie Govan plays better AND faster AND does so without breaking a sweat... Weeb Dingle (talk) 07:43, 27 April 2017 (UTC)

Wow, did you just talk about people fanboying and than say "Besides, Guthrie Govan plays better AND faster AND does so without breaking a sweat...", don't you feel the hypocrisy? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:1C0:CA01:DDE0:20CA:A82E:D515:42B8 (talk) 19:11, 3 January 2020 (UTC)

Removed tabs
I removed the tabs as they disrupt the flow of the article were instructional and therefore violated WP:NOHOWTO.-- — Keithbob • Talk  • 17:45, 4 May 2011 (UTC)

Edit
Repgrased this part: "Tapping is used exclusively by some players (...)"; it is ambiguous, seems that only such players use this technique. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 201.19.160.73 (talk) 12:37, 20 January 2013 (UTC)

necessary reduction of raving & redundancy
Let me note again: Saint Eddie has his own WP article, and THAT is the proper place for lauding his many talents.

On to specifics. Let's begin with Although secretive about this technique before the release of his band's 1978 eponymous debut album Van Halen... which is utter barking nonsense. The man certainly demonstrated his percussive technique BEFORE the album's release, and likely often between their 1972 founding and their radio-play breakthrough. In any case, proving it was a close-held secret is — barring some sort of verifiable paperwork for trademark or patent or whatever -- likely impossible. At best, any such claim needs attribution to remain.

I will also be reducing the Chapman comments — again, Emmett Chapman and Chapman Stick offer plenty of room (some might say "far too much") for detail.

Does anyone actually CARE when/where so-and-so heard such-and-such exhibit some tapping method? If so, then maybe group this stuff together and make it non-boring. Weeb Dingle (talk) 18:24, 30 April 2017 (UTC)

I'm going to chop the History section, beginning with unsourced fanboy claims about who tapped when. Predictably, most of the claims demonstrate an inability to differentiate occasional use of hammer-on and pull-off (and the pick-tap gimmick) from actual two-handed tap-style technique, therefore really do not belong at all in Tapping except as a counterpoint "this is what we're NOT talking about" manner. Anyone who wishes to restore this nonsense had better point to some knowledgable source (preferably an actual guitarist) who can definitively identify tap-style performances. Weeb Dingle (talk) 18:43, 22 July 2018 (UTC)

not sure van halen popularised it
Frank Zappa was guitar tapping on live TV, in front of 20-30 million audiences, in the mid 70s. I saw him on one of the major talk shows doing it in 1975 as I recall

Brian May/Eddie Van Halen
https://ultimateclassicrock.com/brian-may-eddie-van-halen-star-fleet-2023/ (specifically the end) Is this reliable/notable/relevant? Mapsax (talk) 02:09, 10 August 2023 (UTC)