lesson summary
Lesson 21 of 50 in our Rock Series: Basics of Tapping
Brad Henecke covers the basic techniques used in two-hand tapping. He explains how tapping is used in the context of a rock guitar solo.
Chapter 1: (1:04) Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn the basic mechanics of a technique called tapping. In his introduction music, Brad demonstrates how this technique can be used to great effect.
Chapter 2: (13:51) Tapping
Note: Open the “Supplemental Content” tab for tablature to this lick.
Brad demonstrates how to play a great tapping lick using the A minor pentatonic scale. This lick makes for a great basic tapping exercise. This particular lick utilizes the1st and 3rd boxes of the pentatonic scale.
Begin by fretting the 5th fret of the high E string with the first finger. Then, using the right hand, tap the tenth fret of the same string and perform a pull-off. Finally, hammer onto the 8th fret with the pinky finger. This tapping sequence is played in a triplet rhythm. Repeatedly practice this sequence with a metronome until it becomes effortless. Remember to start very slowly and gradually build up the tempo. A tapped lick that is played cleanly will actually sound faster than a lick that is played sloppily at a more rapid tempo.
In the context of the lick, this sequence is repeated four times on each string. Make a careful note of the necessary left hand adjustments when moving from string to string.
2nd Tapping Lick
Note: Open the “Supplemental Content” tab for tablature to this lick
It is possible to play the first lick Brad demonstrated without tapping. This involves some difficult left hand stretches. However, it is possible. In this situation, a guitarist may choose to tap the lick, or simply use the left hand to finger everything. This decision is based on a few important factors. Tapping produces an altogether different tone than basic hammer-ons and pull-offs. If this tone suits the lick better, than the lick should be tapped. The lick’s context within the whole solo also determines whether such a lick should be tapped. For example, if an elaborate tapping section follows the lick, tap the first lick to eliminate unnecessary right hand adjustments.
The second lick Brad demonstrates is an example of a more traditional tapping lick. It is not possible to play this lick using just one hand. Tapping is typically employed to play a series of rapid arpeggios. The individual notes that comprise a chord form an arpeggio. Playing arpeggios allows you to outline specific chords throughout the course of a solo. For example, this particular lick begins with an Am arpeggio. Then, a C major arpeggio is played on the B string. Like the first lick, this lick ends with a tapped A note and a large descending slide.
Combining Both Licks
Note: Open the “Supplemental Content” tab for tablature to this lick.
Play the basic tapping sequence from the second lick. Tap the 12th fret with the third finger. Then, perform the sequence from the first lick with the second finger. This creates a brand new lick that works great over an Am chord. This lick is very difficult to play. Play as slow as possible to ensure that the tone produced with the third finger is identical to the tone produced by the middle finger.
Tapping in a Musical Context
Once you feel comfortable with the basic mechanics of tapping, experiment with creating your own tapping licks. Also, learn some tapping licks from your favorite recordings.
Note: Open the Supplemental Content tab for tablature to some infamous tapping licks.
After amassing a library of tapping licks, begin to incorporate them into the context of your own solos. Practice playing them over sort of rhythmic backing track.
Tapping has a very distinct sound. If you use this technique too frequently, it will lose all of its effect. Remember that with special techniques, it is very easy to have too much of a good thing.
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Phase 2, Genre-Based Guitar Lessons
Phase 2 of our teaching method focuses on genre specific techniques and skills. After you have mastered all of the lessons and topics covered in Phase 1, you then move onto your preferred genre of music. Our phase 2
lessons are taught with the overall idea that you are already equipped with a basic understanding of the guitar, how to play notes, read tablature, and position your finger correctly.
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about Brad Henecke
Brad Henecke: Performing Classic Rock Guitarist
Brad Henecke was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on May 5th of 1963. He has been a fan of music for as long as he & his family can remember. You could always find him running around the farm wailing on his cardboard guitar, pretending to be a member of the rock band KISS. Additional inspiration came during his first concert when he got the chance to see Boston & Sammy Hagar in the early 1970's.
This opened up a whole new world of rock and roll music for him; his parents noticed his growing interest in music and enrolled
him into guitar lessons when he was 13.
From there he jumped into two years of lessons at a local music store in Cedar Rapids. After discovering Eddie Van Halen, Brad knew that the
guitar would always be a part of his life. He took his love throughout the city as he played as a pit musician & jammed at parties for friends.
This made him thirsty for more. He enrolled classes at Kirkwood Community College & also took lessons from the one & only Craig-Erickson (www.craig-erickson.com).
His love for music landed him a gig opening for Molly Hatchet in Cedar Rapids with a band called "Slap & Tickle". He has also played in the Greeley
Stampede show for quite a few years with “True Northâ€.
Brad is currently playing in Greeley, Colorado with a rock band titled "Ragged Doll". They play a wide variety of music with an emphasis on
classic rock from the 60's to present, with Brad playing electric guitar in the five piece lineup.
He currently jams on his all-time favorite guitar: a Paul Reed Smith Custom 24. Beyond guitar, he plays also plays drums & bass guitar. He has
also been known to thrash a banjo from time to time. He is still actively playing & passing his 31 years of playing experience on to others (you!).
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