Styles - Sweep / Legatto / tapping

[Spudmurphy]

Recently there have been a lot of good videos posted by forum members.

They display excellent technique in the use of sweep picking, legatto, tapping (a la EVH).

It's not a style that I play but would like to learn the technique. Apart from going to a Guitar teacher, can anybody recommend any books/Dvd's to start me on my way.
HELP !!!!
Cheers
Spud

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I taught myself some tapping by listening to EVH and fooling around with scales, so I don't really know of any good books or videos to buy. Generally I just screw around with tapping when I want to toss in some quick notes since I can't pick with any decent speed.

A good way to start would be with 2 finger tapping.

An easy way I found to practice 2 finger tapping is with a tapped major scale is on an open string - you play the first open string (I usually pluck it with my finger), then with your fret hand hammer on to a note in the scale, and then with your fret hand tap the next note above in the scale (while this note sounds, lift your hammer-on finger). Next, lift your tapping finger to sound out the open string again. If done properly, you should only have to "pluck" the open string the first time, the rest of the time it sounds by when you pull off your tapping finger.

G Major decend tapping lick
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----h--t---h--t---h-t---h--t---h-t---h-t---h-t---h-t---h-t---h-t---h-t---h-t--
-0-11-12-0-9-11-0-7-9-0-9-11-0-7-9-0-5-7-0-7-9-0-5-7-0-4-5-0-5-7-0-4-5-0-2-4-0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I use a similar idea in the tapping lick (more specifilcally in the descending tapped run) in this clip from PUSM FEST '05
http://www.andrapos.com/Vids/Taptaptap.mpg (7.4mg)


I hope that helps you get started, at least until someone suggests a book

 

[PugNinjas]

Spud,

Hey now, got a hankering for some sweet legato and tapping runs ??

My first guitar teacher, who is a ridiculous player, once offered me this advice "Take any line or phrase from a song you like and work on it without picking all the notes" I used to not really understand what he was talking about (I was about 11 yrs old) but eventually I grasped the concept. There are so many cool little fills from any of your guitar playing gods that you can end up creating a whole new vibe to your favorite tunes.

If you want to go crazy look for some tasty Paul Gilbert instructional DVD's. Pete suggested Eddie Van Halen which is another perfect example. Vai also does some incredible runs nad his site offers some insight into his technique.

I don't know if it's still available but Frank Gambale had an amazing sweep picking video which is almost scary.

I would recommend checking out some of the sites like Tab Universe because if you search out some of these aformentioned cats, there is a quick transcription of licks you could heist from the site and work on.


Good luck in your quest for some new techniques!!!

Can we expect to see you in some spandex and Steve Stevens inspired hair in the near future?????


Pug

 

[SteveB]

Spud,

+1 on Pug's Paul Gilbert recommendation. He has some great instruction on sweep picking, and he's a good teacher. I wish he'd do an updated video on DVD though.. I think he only had old VHS stuff from REH.

 

[J-Nick]

John Petrucci's instructional video also has a lesson on sweep picking... I really like his video very well made and instructive. I don't think he has anything on tapping however...

 

[CudBucket]

John Petrucci's instructional video also has a lesson on sweep picking... I really like his video very well made and instructive. I don't think he has anything on tapping however...

While Petrucci's Rock Discipline is a good DVD, the sweeping section is short, just one exercise and not very flexible.

 

[Jonny Dubai]

I learned from the guitar mags, friends and a bit of musical theory that I knew. The Paul G stuff is amazing.

Also check out the stuff on the chops from hell web site. I am going to get some stuff from there when i get home for the summer.

I remember learning sweeps. I was using 3 notes per string. All i was doing was sweeping over a mini chord, a bit of palm mutting and rolling my fingers a bit in the chord shape. Once you know where all the mini chords in the scale (3-4 notes) are it gets easier. Then you are ready for some monster sweeps.....see Gilbert!

 

[ripley]

oh, check out Rusty Cooley's instructional stuff. he's the real deal.

may be just a little musically tasteless, but technically fantastic and insightful.

highly recommend it.

 

[jeffrey]

The JP video is good for general knowledge and facility, but as said previously, the sweeping section is pretty short. Everything else is pretty comprehensive though.