Where is the median...

[FretDragon]

... between vertical (single string shredder style) and contrapunctal (tap instrument style) tapping?

I'm still searching for a style/sound in my head for acoustic guitar and feel I'm looking for something between the 2.

The characteristics of an acoustic guitar limit the tapping area from the open strings to about the 10th fret at most before creating ugly overpowering dissonant notes from the nut to the fretted note - so dividing the fretboard up into "regions" for each hand is not really applicable.

I have *heard* a few players doing this, but tab/lessons to get started have been elusive. What a fun journey though!

[Jersey Ray]

Check out any of Trey Gunn's solo work for the answer you seek.

[FretDragon]

Wow! That's going to take some digesting - cool stuff.

Happy holidays to all!

[traktor]

Originally posted by FretDragon
The characteristics of an acoustic guitar limit the tapping area from the open strings to about the 10th fret at most before creating ugly overpowering dissonant notes from the nut to the fretted note - I know little about acoustic guitars and have never tried tapping on one, but if I understand you correctly you're either talking about (a) getting an extra sound from the string vibrating between note and fret during the time you're holding the string down, or (b) getting a ringing of open string when you let go of a string.

Either way, have you installed a fret damper? That is, a strip of some absorbent cloth-like material woven above and below the strings between the nut and the first fret?

[FretDragon]

Good point Traktor. I have used the "scrunchie" method before and still get the extra ringing of a note produced between the nut and fret, but will have to try a more industrial strength damping solution.

[traktor]

Try the spongy rubber stuff sold at hardware stores for shelf liner. Cut a strip twice as long as you need. Go UNDER all the strings and then come back, weaving OVER and UNDER the strings. Does the job for me.

[Jersey Ray]

Fret Dragon,

you could check out the greatest hits package that just came out - I think it includes video, and with video you can really appreciate what Trey has been doing lately. 2 handed melodic material, but also 2 handed chordal patterns and wicked rhythms.

Actually, with that in mind, if youa re really adventurous, seek out the work of Enver Ismailov, a Russian/Tatar guitarist who taps some wicked stuff.

Ismailov's work may be more closely related to acoustic guitar, since he uses a reguar 6 string electric.

[rockola]

Ismailov's work may be more closely related to acoustic guitar, since he uses a reguar 6 string electric.

Or even two at the same time! I saw Izmailov play here in Helsinki maybe five years ago, what a guy. Simply phenomenal.

[rjgoos]

Regarding fret dampers:

Just for fun, I have been tapping my son's $125 Stratocaster copy (I had the action set low, and I tuned everything down a fourth), and it doesn't sound too bad at all (way too few strings for my purposes, though).

Anyhow, I found the IDEAL string damper for this instrument...are you ready for this....some folded up kleenex (about 6-8 layers thick, by about 2.5 cm wide after folding) placed under the strings between the nut and first fret. Not only does it dampen the strings well enough, but the first fret strings are still fully tappable. At least the price is right...

R. Jay Goos


P.S. Is Jimmie Webster's book available anywhere? I think for historic purposes, it would be interesting to read...and I would guess there are some points in the book that are still very valid today.