should i do it? to tap or not to tap

**john turner** · #1 10-25-2006, 05:37 PM

ok, i've been playing 7+ string basses for the past 13 years, but i have never worked on tapping on them. it seems like i may be falling behind the curve. with folks like jean baudin tearing up the net-waves with their mad ninja tap skillz, i'm wondering if i'm turning into a has been.

so what do you guys think?

ARCtrooper225 · #2 10-25-2006, 05:41 PM

Learn to tap, it can only help, and can open you up to more creative bass lines, and is an eye opener at shows. Go for it.

**john turner** · #3 10-26-2006, 07:51 AM

it's funny. i used to tap a lot on my 4 strings, but once i went to 7 in '93 i stopped cold turkey.

NJL · #4 10-26-2006, 07:55 AM

sure, why not? another tool in the ole' toolbox, right?

LifeIsBass · #5 10-26-2006, 08:58 AM

If you like tapping, then learn it. It's flashy, and a lot of people who don't know any better will automatically assume you're a great bassist if you can tap. I wouldn't spend a lot of time on it, though. I think it's much more important to master the more "traditional" techniques first. Work on it a little bit each day, and over time it'll come.

My jaw drops when I see someone who's really good at it do a nice tapping solo. Personally, though, I've never really got into it much. I just don't really enjoy doing it and it doesn't really sound that great on my basses. I much prefer to just rip into a nice fingerstyle or slap solo.

chaosMK · #6 10-26-2006, 09:05 AM

If I started using a 6 or 7 string, it would be for the extended tapping range.

agreatheight · #7 10-26-2006, 09:22 AM

You know, it's funny - I can tap reasonably well, but (with the exception of at home solo noodling, practicing it and needing to impress kids looking to take lessons) I NEVER do it. Sometimes I think I should have been woodshedding something more useful, like singing.

I didn't vote, but I am leaning towards no.

Alec W. Conway · #8 10-26-2006, 05:07 PM

The more tapping you have, the cooler it looks on stage

Plus, it always sounds cool when used right. I always try to look at the riff structures from the normal point of view and from the tapping point of view, helps me build bass lines that sound more rich, at least to my and my bandmates' ears.

MikeyFingers · #9 10-26-2006, 05:35 PM

I say you should at least try it. If you can do it, then do it! It opens a lot of possibilities for your music and nearly doubles what you can play. .

JoeCool82992 · #10 10-26-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LifeIsBass

If you like tapping, then learn it. It's flashy, and a lot of people who don't know any better will automatically assume you're a great bassist if you can tap. I wouldn't spend a lot of time on it, though. I think it's much more important to master the more "traditional" techniques first. Work on it a little bit each day, and over time it'll come.

My jaw drops when I see someone who's really good at it do a nice tapping solo. I much prefer to just rip into a nice fingerstyle or slap solo.

yeah... but personally I think so too, tapping sounds good on my bass and also if you can learn it, you can have some fun with guitarists.

brake · #11 10-27-2006, 07:22 AM

Sure, why not? It cant really hurt.

I really really dig chordal tapping stuff, as opposed to the Eddie Van Halen style.

One of my favourite tapping licks (tricks?) is to hammer the 1-5 down low with the fretting hand, then get the 10 up high with the plucking hand. It's kinda neat to play the 10th, then slide up/down on that one string and play a short melody.

Swimming Bird · #12 10-27-2006, 08:26 AM

More strings gets you closer to a Chapman Stick or Warr Guitar -- extended ranges just beg to be tapped. Also, I don't understand why you wouldn't want to learn as many techniques as possible. Just because something may not always have a practical place in the music you play, more knowledge is always better.

"Tapping is just for kegs." Heh.

FaithNoMan · #13 10-27-2006, 03:00 PM

I say you should try just because you are wondering about it.

If I asked TB if they think I should play the way I do, perhaps 90% of the people would tell me to change my style.

Baryonyx · #14 10-27-2006, 03:41 PM

Go for it, it's good fun. However, I'd never put it ahead of perfecting good fingerstyle and slap technique.

markjazzbassist · #15 10-27-2006, 07:25 PM

yes learn everything.

although, i really wanted to put NO cause let' be honest, everyone like's to tap a beer keg.

Poop-Loops · #16 10-27-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Go for it, it's good fun. However, I'd never put it ahead of perfecting good fingerstyle and slap technique.

Why is slap more important than tapping?

Clay_Bass · #17 10-28-2006, 10:23 AM

I actually use tapping alot in theater work. It allows for seamless page turns.

EADG mx · #18 10-28-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay_Bass

I actually use tapping alot in theater work. It allows for seamless page turns.

Agreed.

You've got a huge collection of 7 strings and want to know if you should tap on them? Of course you should!

Meanwhile tap is basically all I play and I'm stuck with a 5.. where's the justice?

peaveyuser · #19 10-28-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Why is slap more important than tapping?

Exactly i rather do tapping more than slapping because not as many people do it as slapping.

Swimming Bird · #20 10-28-2006, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaveyuser

Exactly i rather do tapping more than slapping because not as many people do it as slapping.

Why do you think they're mutually exclussive? Tap and slap!

One of my favorite excercises is to try to use as many techniques as I can think of in a line. Try slapping with tapped harmonics and upper-register fills.