Finger-tapping = OUCH!

[wAvy]

I have begun attempting to learn a song which utilizes finger-tapping for the majority of the chorus. I have a few questions and thought that you guys could help me out.

1. If I lower the gauge of my strings from medium to light, will it help in any way, (not hurt my finger) or make the tapping itself sound worse?

2. Are some guitars not made for this? I have a Breedlove AD25 / SM and every time I tap a string a high pitched tone pops out and accompanies the tone that I want. Unless I mute the string with something on one of the frets before the tapped one, it always happens.

3. Any suggestions as to how to improve upon this skill would be helpful.

[GSR]

When you tap the notes, let them ring by keeping them pressed down. It will help build up strength in your fingers.

[bassman462]

ya, tapping is useless if the only sound you're getting is just the sound of your fingers hitting the string, you need to hold it so you can actually have the tone of the note ring out. that advice i personally got from vic(tor wooten.)

...kinda...

[a1075dd63aa12]

ya, tapping is useless if the only sound you're getting is just the sound of your fingers hitting the string, you need to hold it so you can actually have the tone of the note ring out. that advice i personally got from vic(tor wooten.)

...kinda...

are you sure it wasnt from your mum?

[Kahn]

it also helps if youre plugged in

[iha]

try this instructional video (it goes over tapping at the end)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw3JfzgFXrA

[Teego Time]

A lot of times the pulloff is just as, or more important than the tap itself.

[6_strings_for_life]

try this instructional video (it goes over tapping at the end)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw3JfzgFXrA

hahahah wow. I didnt learn a fucking thing, but that guy is such a tool it was very entertaining.

[Teego Time]

Also try to position your thumb behind the neck of the guitar, it promotes less accuracy in the beginning, but you'll be able to apply more force to the strings when you bring your fingers down. Just keep it up and it'll feel natural.

[Machtimus]

The anti-tone you get (the high pitched tone you get when you tap) can be stopped by either fretting higher on the neck (a fret or two before) or by putting something at the top of the neck like a scrunchi. Being plugged in usually helps with this as well.

[MountainDewser]

are there any videos to demo tapping? like a tutorial? for acoustic i mean. my brothers friend taps on acoustic and i have no clue how he does it. he has been playing 6 hours a day for about 6 years now though...

[Teego Time]

are there any videos to demo tapping? like a tutorial? for acoustic i mean. my brothers friend taps on acoustic and i have no clue how he does it. he has been playing 6 hours a day for about 6 years now though...

Its really not that hard. Just start slow and make sure you hit the strings with enough force to emit a sound.

[KicknGuitar]

For inspiration look here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbndgwfG22k
Just wonderful tone, and catches your ear, whether it's in his lap, or played almost upright.

1. Although I haven't had much experience with taping (only from messing around) changing string gauges will only adjust the tone, you want the taping/guitar to sound more high end, and treble like, go for a lower gauge string set... this also means, less pressure needed to tap down on the strings, and less to pull off, etc.
The heavier the gauge... the bassier the guitar...
So saying "making it sound worse" will be up to you, if the sound you're looking for isn't what you have yet, then think about what tone you do want.

2. Don't know about "tapping guitars", I would assume, with the right technique, you can achieve the correct sound.
The sound you're describing, sounds like when you tap on an open string. My idea would be,
One, Take the fretting hand, and well, mute the string(s) behind the fretted taps. Add slight pressure while you tap too, for I noticed if you very lightly mute the strings, you can still get the open string's note to mix with the tapping notes (my guess as to why it sounds like so.)
And/Or
Two, Instead of doing that move to one or more string(s) down, and transpose it to that string, fretting the original open string.
i.e.
Tap the 10th fret(D). The try it on the B string. Fretting the "E string" and tapping the D note on the B string.
E-(T10)-|----------------
B--------|--(5)-(T15)----
G--------|-----------------
D--------|-----------------
A--------|-----------------
E--------|-----------------

3. Improving this skill...well, practice practice practice. The more time you put in, the more productive it will be. And as always. Take it at an easy pace when learning something new. Once you have it perfect at that tempo, speed it up, slowly but surely.

Hope this helped. And good luck.