Arpeggios
(05 Jan 05)
Tapping Arpeggios: Intervallic Hand Dance!!!
Now we'll dive into what most young guitarists love 'n like: Tapping!! Who loves tapping?? I've never met someone who doesn't like tapping (besides me, of course!!) Even when I don't like tapping very much, I have to admit that tapping offers a different, legato, flowing kind of sound favored by many guitarists.
To start this segment of the article, first we'll have to talk about WHAT FINGER TO USE WHEN TAPPING. For me, it's just a matter of taste. I've seen many guitarists tapping with their middle finger, while holding the pick between the thumb and index. Most guitarists tap that way. Some others like to tap with their index finger, holding his pick between the other fingers (like Nuno Bettencourt and Michael Romeo, for example).
Personally, I think that tapping with the index works best for me: It gives me a lot of proyection and besides, that's the finger we use to do almost anything!! I mean, we push buttons with our index fingers, play arcade video games with our index and a whole lot of different stuff!! As I tap, I usually hold my pick in mi ring finger, coiling it around the pick. But I've seen people holding it between their middle finger and thumb. It's basically the same…as long as you don't drop the pick, it's ok!!
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Our first example depicts one of the most common forms of tapping arpeggio. It's found on almost all the shred songs, and it was made popular by Edward Van Halen on his trademark song "Eruption". It's just a sequence of sextuplets, and the first and the 4th note are tapped with the right hand. Pretty simple shape, not very hard to play and still fun!!
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This second lick is almost the same pattern as the last one we checked, but the notes are arranged in a slightly different way. Use the same principle we used in the first one.
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This one shows the same first tapped arpeggio pattern, but in a more melodical, structural way. It's the same basic principle, but played in more than one string. In fact, you'll be using the first two strings to handle this one. Remember to tap firmly with your finger, and to mute the strings as you jump from string to string.
Now we'll check out a cool, cascading tapping arpeggio. We'll cover 5 strings, and our right hand will be literally dancing on the fretboard. We'll use hammer-ons from nowhere too, so be sure to slam your left hand finger on the fretboard. Practice this one slowly, as it tends to be a lil' hard to play it cleanly. Again, be sure to mute the strings with your left hand in this one. Practice slowly!!
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Now, we'll add the ascending part to the lick to finish it up. Granted, the ascending part is a lot harder, but just practice slowly, increasing the tempo as you feel confident with the lick. Also, be aware of your left hand and those hammer-ons from nowhere, since they are the important part and perhaps the difficult part of the lick itself.
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