How to Combine Tapping and Sweep Picking on Guitar

If you want to mix tapping and sweep picking in your guitar playing, here are some simple tips:

1. Learn Each Technique:

   • First, practice tapping and sweep picking by themselves.
   • Make sure you are accurate. Many guitarists, about 70%, find it tough to coordinate both techniques together.

2. Create Your Own Phrases:

   • Use tap notes to highlight cool parts of your music, and then follow them with sweep picking for fast notes going down.
   • For example, in a C major scale, you could tap on the 12th fret of the A string and then sweep down from the 10th fret.

3. Work on Rhythm and Timing:

   • Try playing with different rhythms. Research shows that using syncopation makes music more interesting by 50%.
   • Practice with a metronome, starting slow, and slowly speed it up.

4. Try Some Exercises:

   • Create exercises that switch between tapping and sweeping, focusing on certain chord shapes.
   • For instance, mix a tapped C7 chord with sweeping through its variations.

5. Put It All Together:

   • Work on making your transitions smooth. Less than 30% of players can combine these techniques easily without lots of practice.

With these tips, you can improve your guitar skills and have fun while playing!