Tapping volume

[charic]

Being a huge dream theater fan (and also soon to get a 6 string) ive been practicing my tapping technique. However the volume suffers quite dramatically. I guess this could be solved using a compression? However I was wondering if this was down to technique?

[jenich CZ]

practise, practise and practise even more...

Work on it and you´ll see the outcomes...It´s possible to eaqual it with hardest slapping or poping...with a dose of effort of course.

[JustOpenYourMind]

Are your strings fairly old? If you are the kind of bass player that keeps the same strings for 6 months you'll find out old strings don't do well at all for tapping. New strings sound best for tapping.

[charic]

nah my strings stay on a max of 2 months. It probably doesn't help that im using really thick rotosounds? If i remember right my E is 110. Also use a fender P atm if that changes anything?

My future 6 is probably the trb 1006, is this a good bass for this style? Ive been told its a very versatile bass and it seemed it to me but whats your opinion?

[ThorBassManiac]

Whenever I do tapping I use a pedal to boost my volume and it works just fine. It also helps to have active pickups and boost the volume through your knobs a tad.

[Naterade]

The TRB 1006 is a great bass for tapping. I have the TRB 1005 and have no problems with tapping. The TRBs are very bright even with the treble rolled off completely.

I have medium light strings on my TRB with pretty low action.
With enough practice you'll build up your finger strength for tapping. My volume increases significantly when I tap compared to regular finger style.

[Christopher]

Speed counts. A fast attack will result in noticeably greater tapping volume.

[Bo_H]

Billy Sheehan's advice: hit the strings HARD!

b5

[Jazz Ad]

Just compress the hell out of your signal.
It will sound much better anyway and you will save practice time for things that matter.

[Nukes4U]

You could also try raising your pickups or lowering your action. Just make sure you don't develop any buzz or whurr.

[AmazingGracePlayer]

Keep practicing and your finger strength will increase. Hitting the strings hard really isn't a good way since it will give a very percussive tone to it. You want teach tap to be supported with force but not driven by force.

[Raum]

Odd. Whenever I tap, it's distinctly louder than any other form of playing I do except using a pick.

[Kalyptic]

To get good pressure try anchoring the thumb behind the neck like your other hand. ( If you need a pedal to tap correctly then you arent tapping corectly. Tapping is a technique and should not need effects to create. Though some techniques require pedals this one doesnt.) Practice

[tbone409]

i start off tapping scales, and adjust my finger or pick volume so i can stay relatively constant, for me it's about a lighter touch with my normal playing style so i can switch back and forth consistently. though after about a month your hand will just start to get stronger.