Hey guys. I was listening to dream theater metropolis pt1. Any way John myung does a tap solo in that song, and I would like to write my own taps but I can't. Any advise? Remember I use a six string,
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tapping on a six string
- Thread starter Ibanez_Sr506
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Mayers said:
I'm used to playing with a pick and im trying to become a better bassist. I'm using my fingers more. And I would like to learn how to tap with out sounding like crap. Is there any good tecniques for tapping?
Ibanez_Sr506 said:
I'm no good in tapping, and I play with a pick as well. But I can tell you that: you have to practice, practice and practice tapping like anything else. There are many good video's for how to tap on youtube.
Just make sure you land the note solid and if you are pulling off to another note actually pull the string and not just take your finger off.
If you understand chords and how to make them, then you're already one big step towards writing good tapping lines (as with any bass line). Metropolis pt.1 is just one chord over four octaves, I believe (there's a video where he explains it).
The next step is obviously technique. And really, you just have to practice. I would just pick one song and practice it over and over. For example, when I was teaching myself tapping, I tried to play FCPREMIX by The Fall of Troy over and over and over, day after day. You have to build your finger string.
The number of strings on your bass shouldn't matter, although I'd say having a high C will give you some advantage musically, as it leaves for more room to be creative. I don't necessarily use the B string in tapping, but if you feel it works go for it.
But like they say: the only shortcut to getting better is practicing.
The next step is obviously technique. And really, you just have to practice. I would just pick one song and practice it over and over. For example, when I was teaching myself tapping, I tried to play FCPREMIX by The Fall of Troy over and over and over, day after day. You have to build your finger string.
The number of strings on your bass shouldn't matter, although I'd say having a high C will give you some advantage musically, as it leaves for more room to be creative. I don't necessarily use the B string in tapping, but if you feel it works go for it.
But like they say: the only shortcut to getting better is practicing.
theres bass tapping in fcpremix? gotta check that out again. anywhoo, i'd suggest checking out some bass tapping videos on youtube, mainly the victor wooten and stu hamm videos. learn how to make it musical too, i.e. dont just tap for the sake of tapping, make it mean something in the context of the song.
+1 for that
unwound said:
my question too
I get a good tone by not only hammering the string hard but also by holding my finger down on the string a bit longer (which won't be long if you're playing fast I know). but keeping the finger depressed right up until you hit the next note or even overlapping at times smooths it out for me. also, I have to reconfigure tapping bass lines compared to other styles so the hammer-ons go up the fretboard and not backward, you'll know what I mean when you start tapping
surprised someone hasn't posted this yet. This will give you a good idea on what he is doing, and how simple it really is.
Low action plays a pretty big role in tapping; that would be my first step if I were you. As for technique (aside from the Metropolis demo posted above), try to play simple scales like pentatonics or major/minors with just your left hand. IME the left hand hammering is the "difficult" part. Slowly integrate your right hand in to the equation and your set.
...or come to terms with the fact that tapping usually doesn't play that big of a role in most band settings..more of a "hey, look what I can do" kind of thing IMO/ Good luck!
...or come to terms with the fact that tapping usually doesn't play that big of a role in most band settings..more of a "hey, look what I can do" kind of thing IMO/ Good luck!
Played a show with Serpent and Seraph and the bassist did a whole song tapping all up and down the neck on all six strings. It sounded like a normal bass line but left me and another bands bassist in awe...
