Charles Stewart

[Charles Stewart]

Just wanted to put up my site. I have two video's on it and a lot electronic stuff before I got into tapping. I have been practicing my tapping for about 8 months now. So any thing you notice I'm doing that might become a bad habit let me know. Thank You.

http://www.snaglesnatch.com

[Antonio]

Hi Charles,

I checked out your vids, and it looks like you have a really good start for someone that hasn't been at it for even a year yet! Your hand technique looks pretty precise from what I can see on the videos. I really like that you let you right hand be free by not putting your thumb against the back of the neck, as I really find that to be hindering, and that also lets your hand be in good position if you get into pieces that have polyphony in the right hand and need to use the thumb for tapping (as I do), and also if you decide to start adding vibrato, that hand position will aid in the execution of that as well. The only bad thing that I noticed was that your guitar was a bit out of tune (or some kind of intonation problem), especially on the Zelda piece, but you are doing really well...keep up the good work!

[Charles Stewart]

Thanks for your input. I was wondering about some exercises that would help with my hands being independent. I have a hard time playing a rhythm with my left hand and soloing with my right.

[jean_alexis]

Hi,

The usual exercise would be to take an ostinato (or rythm pattern) in the left hand, and then solo with the other hand with one rythm value, ie: quarter notes, half, wholes, eights.

The notes you play for your solo doen't matter for now, just concentrate on the rythm.
You can also try other fixed rythmic patterns with the right hand.

This should enhance your independance.

Then reverse hands ;)

[rjgoos]

People who take up the challenge of two-hand-tapping a conventional 6-string have my respect. It is a difficult assignment.

I tap a 10-string Stick, and I try to tap my son's old Strat copy. I liken the experience to the following gymastics analogy:

Stick=floor exercise
6-string=balance beam


Jay


I couldn't get the videos to work, but will try another computer later.

[James]

Nice analogy RJ. So I guess Trey Gunn's single-string ADG must be like doing gymanstics on a tightrope :)

A good technique there Charles. You make it look so effortless. I like the guitar design - Is it a Parker?

Not having tapped guitars for long enough, I can only speak from experience of playing the piano and drums. I guess after I've worked on something very slowly and can build it up over time, the mechanics come naturally - It's a bit like riding a bike. Though I've been playing piano for 14 years, I've only ever had classical training. I wouldn't find improvising around a fixed bass pattern that easy :rolleyes:

If you like, I could add your site to our resources section and list you among the six-string tappers. I found the website in general very confusing :eek:, but I could still put your page of videos as the link

[Charles Stewart]

Thats sound great. Thanks.

Yes its my Nike Parker with Sweat band.

[rjgoos]

Charles,

I finally had a chance to see your videos. Nice job!!

As I said before, two-hand-tappers of regular guitars automatically have my respect.

Regarding your guitar...what kind is it? The frets seem to be fairly substantial in the video. Does it have fairly large frets compared to most electric guitars?

Jay

[Charles Stewart]

Thank you. My guitar is a parker fly P 40. I think the frets might be a little bit bigger but not sure. They are not quite at the Yngwie level.