Tapping

Master the iconic two-hand technique that defined rock guitar—from Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption" to modern virtuosos.

The game-changer: Tapping allows you to play notes with your picking hand, effectively giving you two fretting hands. This unlocks impossibly wide intervals, lightning-fast arpeggios, and sounds that seem superhuman. Eddie Van Halen made it famous, but anyone can learn it.

What is Tapping?

The Technique

Using your picking hand to fret notes

Tapping means using fingers from your picking hand (usually index or middle finger) to "hammer on" notes on the fretboard, just like your fretting hand does. Instead of picking, you tap the string hard enough to make it ring, then pull off to reveal notes fretted by your other hand.

Why Tapping?

• Play intervals impossible with one hand (wide stretches, multiple octaves)

• Extremely fast legato runs without picking every note

• Unique, fluid sound that's instantly recognizable

• Visual impact—looks as impressive as it sounds

Notation

T = Tap (picking hand), H = Hammer-on, P = Pull-off

Basic Technique

The Tapping Motion

Which Finger?

Most players use their picking hand index or middle finger. Index is more common for single-note tapping, middle for two-hand tapping patterns.

The Tap

Strike the string firmly with the pad of your finger (not the tip) right behind the fret, just like a hammer-on. The motion comes from your wrist or arm, not just the finger.

Common mistake: Tapping too softly. You need to hit hard enough to make the note ring clearly.

The Pull-Off

After tapping, pull your finger off the string with a slight downward motion (toward the floor). This "plucks" the string and makes the next note ring.

Don't just lift straight up—pull slightly to give the string energy.

Muting

Use your picking hand palm or unused fingers to mute unwanted string noise. Tapping can create sympathetic vibrations on other strings—muting is crucial for clean sound.

Essential Exercises

Exercise 1: Basic Three-Note Pattern

Your first tapping lick

e|---12-5-0-12-5-0-12-5-0---|
    T  P P T  P P T  P P

Tap 12th fret, pull off to 5th, pull off to open

Setup: Fret the 5th fret with your fretting hand index finger

Motion: Tap 12th fret with picking hand index, pull off to 5th fret, pull off to open string

Goal: All three notes should have equal volume. Practice slowly until smooth.

Exercise 2: Classic Van Halen Pattern

The iconic "Eruption" style lick

e|---12-8-5-12-8-5-12-8-5---|
    T  H P T  H P T  H P

Tap 12, hammer 8, pull off to 5

Setup: Fret 5th fret with fretting hand index, 8th fret with ring finger ready

Motion: Tap 12th, hammer on 8th with fretting hand, pull off both to reveal 5th fret

Sound: This creates a cascading, fluid arpeggio sound

Exercise 3: Two-String Tapping

Expanding across strings

B|---12-5-0-------------|
G|----------12-5-0-----|
    T  P P  T  P P

Tap on B string, then G string

Once you're comfortable on one string, expand to two strings. This creates wider, more interesting patterns. Make sure to mute the B string when moving to the G string to avoid unwanted noise.

Exercise 4: Ascending Tapping Run

Building speed and fluidity

e|---12-5-0-13-6-1-14-7-2-15-8-3---|
    T  P P T  P P T  P P T  P P

Move up the fretboard chromatically

This exercise builds speed and position shifting. Start slow (60 BPM) and gradually increase tempo. Focus on even volume and clean pull-offs.

Advanced Tapping Techniques

Two-Hand Tapping

Using multiple fingers from both hands

Advanced players use multiple fingers from both hands to create piano-like passages. Stanley Jordan and Tosin Abasi are masters of this technique.

e|---12---8---5---3---|
B|------10---7---5----|
    T1  T2  H   H

T1 = picking hand index, T2 = picking hand middle

Technique: Both hands tap independently, creating chords or polyphonic lines

Challenge: Requires excellent muting and finger independence

Sound: Can sound like two guitarists playing at once

Tapped Harmonics

Combining tapping with artificial harmonics

Tap 12 frets above a fretted note to create a harmonic. This produces a bell-like, ethereal tone.

Example: Fret 5th fret, tap 17th fret (12 frets higher) = harmonic

Sound: High-pitched, bell-like tone

Use: Eddie Van Halen used this extensively; creates dramatic, soaring notes

Common Mistakes & Fixes

Why Your Tapping Sounds Weak

Mistake 1: Tapping Too Softly

Tapped notes are quieter than fretted notes, making the pattern sound uneven.

Fix: Tap harder! Use your wrist or arm, not just your finger. The tapped note should be as loud as the pulled-off notes.

Mistake 2: Weak Pull-Offs

Lifting finger straight up instead of pulling off, resulting in dead notes.

Fix: Pull your finger downward (toward floor) as you lift off. This "plucks" the string and makes the next note ring clearly.

Mistake 3: Poor Muting

Unwanted strings ring out, creating a muddy, noisy sound.

Fix: Use your picking hand palm to mute lower strings, and unused fretting hand fingers to touch (but not press) higher strings.

Tapping Practice Routine

30-Day Tapping Mastery

Week 1: Foundation

• Exercise 1: 10 minutes daily at 60 BPM

• Focus: Even volume on all three notes, clean pull-offs

Week 2: Van Halen Pattern

• Exercise 2: 15 minutes daily, gradually increase tempo

• Focus: Fluid hammer-on after tap, smooth cascade

Week 3: String Crossing

• Exercise 3: Two-string patterns, 15 minutes daily

• Focus: Muting previous string when moving to next

Week 4: Musical Application

• Learn tapping licks from songs (Van Halen, Satriani, Vai)

• Create your own tapping patterns over chord progressions