Tapping in band setting?

[jamescalvin]

Most rock bands (that I know of) aren't really into the tapping too much (maybe because it causes too much attention to the bass player and God forbid if someone in the audience notices the bass player) but really, maybe because it gets a little quiet once the tapping starts. You'd have to crank up your sound a whole lot more to get that tapping out. Then once you get back into your groove, you'll have to adjust your volume again. That's one of the problems I find with tapping. The $hit sounds good though.

[xolin]

Originally Posted by jamescalvin

Most rock bands (that I know of) aren't really into the tapping too much (maybe because it causes too much attention to the bass player and God forbid if someone in the audience notices the bass player) but really, maybe because it gets a little quiet once the tapping starts. You'd have to crank up your sound a whole lot more to get that tapping out. Then once you get back into your groove, you'll have to adjust your volume again. That's one of the problems I find with tapping. The $hit sounds good though.

Depends on what your tone is like in the mix to begin with. If you have a nice cut through growl with enough on the mids and highs coming out clearly (and not too sharply) then you need not adjust anything.
Also, if you just turn up and play with a softer touch during the song then the tapping will seem louder.
If you're in one of those bands where you play the guitar part and nobody hears you, then it will have to be during a breakdown or something where the guitars turn down or you have a pedal that can boost you up.

[Demon]

Ok, ive decided to learn some tapping as an extra style, it was either that or slapping and i figured tapping wud give me more use fin metal^^ Just gotta get a nice tone cos some ive heard just wudnt fit it, it has to be a bit growly or atleast not as "happy" soundng.

[BrandonBass]

tapping on my bassis louder than when i pluck it. and i do pluck HARD at the bridge

[Demon]

Also, what would be a nice tab to train too? Also, on the right hand, is it worth using the ringfinger too for tapping? I use it for normal plucking, so its def gonna build strength.

[Daveman2]

I've been using some tapping in some Experimental Circa Survive style stuff with my band, you just gotta have the right place to have it fit in.

[mkettner]

If nothing else tapping really helps you learn your fret board and the options you have while playing anything. I have also noticed the best metal band (ie Metalica) do a lot of work with the Melody and tapping might be a good thing to insert in those moments.

[perfektspace6]

Originally Posted by Demon

Would you think that tapping would fit well and be usefull in a metal band setting?

Heck yeah! I played in progressive hard rockish style trio for a few years and was able to work in a fair amount of tapping riffs. The smaller band size was a great opportunity to tap out chords and add some extra dimension to our music. You could use it for intro's, cool breakdowns, soloing etc.

The reason you may not get "much sound" when tapping is probably an issue of setup and hand strength. Try playing some unison lines where you tap out a scale with both hands at the same time, one hand in the lower register and the other hand doubling that an octave or two above. It will also help a lot to brush up on chord structure as well.

Tapping is really cool because you can treat your bass like a piano by playing a bass line with one hand and a melody with the other or combine them for chords. You will definitely turn some heads with that style in the metal genre.

[phxlbrmpf]

I find that a decent dose of distortion can help with tapping in a rock/metal band. My band's music isn't very bass-heavy but I managed to come up with a distorted tapping riff a while ago and my bandmates liked it a lot. Now if only our singer hurried up with the lyrics, the song would already be done.

[mkettner]

I fully agree, anytime I have applied tapping it has really rounded out the sound and feel of the song. Bass players with a lot more experience then me have envied the tapping I have put in to my music. It is well worth the practice.

There are also a lot of great resources out there that will give some guidence and get your creative gears moving.

[Digo]

+1 on the satch advice, stu hamm plays the "metal" music very well but he gets just as good a reward wth his solos which include tapping also, tapping is better for solo work no metter what band