Tapping can open up exciting new musical options for guitar players, especially once you get the hang of the technique.

At its heart, tapping means using your fingers to make notes on the guitar's fretboard. You can even use both hands! This lets you play unique melodies and rhythms.

Here’s how tapping can help you make music:

1. Play Faster and Smoother: Tapping lets you play quick pieces that might be tough if you're just using a pick. For example, you can change a simple scale into something really cool by tapping. You can play a major scale like this:

   • Use your picking hand for the first few notes and then tap on the higher notes with your other hand.

2. Create Interesting Chords: With tapping, you can check out complicated chord shapes that are hard to play in the usual way. By tapping different notes, you can make lots of sound layers. For instance, try tapping an arpeggio with a Cmaj7 chord:

   • Instead of strumming, use your left hand for the lower notes and your right hand to tap the higher ones.

3. Add Rhythm and Melody: Tapping helps you bring rhythms and beats into your solos. You can mix tapping with legato (which means playing smoothly) to make a flowing sound that's fun to listen to.

In the end, getting good at tapping can take your guitar skills to the next level and give you a new way to express your musical ideas!