Fretboard Tapping

Fretboard Tapping is a technique that creates a very fast and fluid series of notes without using the pick. Although mostly popular  in Hard Rock, it can be heard in Classical and even some Folk/Instrumental playing. It is important to understand Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs before doing these since it incorporates both. 

The technique is very simple: 

• Step 1: With your fretting hand, place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the B string. Use the index or middle finger of your picking hand and tap the 10th fret of the B string.
• Step 2: As you release (pull off) your finger from the 10th fret, the 2nd note will sound.
• Step 3: Hammer-on the 5th fret with the ring finger of your fretting hand.
• Step 4: Go to Step 1 and repeat 

     T  P   H    T   P   H    T   P   H
E||------------------------------------------------------||
B||--10-^-2-^-5----10-^-2-^-5----10-^-2-^-5--------------||
G||------------------------------------------------------||
D||------------------------------------------------------||
A||------------------------------------------------------||
E||------------------------------------------------------||

The next technique is slightly different, instead of hammering on the last note, you will pull off the 2nd note to sound the 3rd.  

• Step 1: With your fretting hand, place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the B string. Please your index finger on the 2nd fret of the B string. Use the index or middle finger of your picking hand and tap the 12 fret of the B string. 
• Step 2: As you release (pull off) your finger from the 12th fret, the 2nd note will sound.
• Step 3: Pull-off and sound the 3rd note.
• Step 4: Go to Step 1 and repeat  
   

     T    P   P    T    P   P      T   P   P 
E||------------------------------------------------------||
B||--12-^-5-^-2----12-^-5-^-2-----12-^-5-^-2-------------||
G||------------------------------------------------------||
D||------------------------------------------------------||
A||------------------------------------------------------||
E||------------------------------------------------------||

That one will give your pinky a work out when done over and over.  

The next exercise is played the same way as the first riff, but pay attention to the tapped note as it changes.  

     T    P   H     T   P   H     T    P  H
E||------------------------------------------------------||
B||------------------------------------------------------||
G||--12-^-2-^-5----10-^-2-^-5----12-^-2-^-5--------------||
D||------------------------------------------------------||
A||------------------------------------------------------||
E||------------------------------------------------------||

Play this one slowly, over and over. I like the way it sounds on an acoustic guitar, it has a real mellow feel. Gradually build up the speed (tempo) as you master the technique.  

Make up some of your own riffs and mix it up a bit. Use the 1st and 2nd exercises together, even switching strings as you play. Once you feel pretty comfortable with these, try playing Van Halens' Eruption. The end of the instrumental uses the Fretboard Tapping technique.