Spider Tapping

There are so many great techniques that have been invented on the guitar over the past 35 years that some of them just fall through the cracks and nobody really thinks about them anymore.

This technique I’m going to show you today is an extension of the right hand tapping technique that Edward Van Halen made famous. I first saw this technique being performed by Jeff Watson of Night Ranger back in the 80’s.

I just call it “Spider Tapping” which is basically when you use up to all eight of your fingers to hammer-on and pull-off notes that are on the same string. With practice, this technique allows you to create blistering speed licks.

This is also an excellent way to build strength and reach in all of your fingers that will help you with playing guitar in general.

The tab below depicts this technique being applied to the third string (G) using seven fingers to create triplets in the key of Bb.

Need help reading tablature?

You begin by plucking the G string with one of your right hand fingers (I prefer my 1st finger) to sound the first note, then it’s hammer-ons and pull-offs to create the flow.

ho = hammer-on

po = pull-off

Right Hand Fingers

p = thumb (pulgar) (just FYI. not used in this piece)

i = index (indice)

m = middle (medio)

a = ring (anular)

e = pinky (extremo)

Left Hand Fingers

1 = index

2 = middle

3 = ring

4 = pinky


D Eb F G A Bb C Bb A G F Eb
1 2 4 i m a e a m i 4 2
po ho ho ho ho ho ho po po po po po
E ---------------------------------------------------------
B ---------------------------------------------------------
G --7---8---10--12--14--15--17--15--14--12--10--8---------
D ---------------------------------------------------------
A ---------------------------------------------------------
E ---------------------------------------------------------

REPEAT as many times as you wish.

Some things to remember…

– Your right hand needs to be perpendicular to the neck.

– You attack the strings as if you were playing a piano.

– Keep your fingers stretched out over the frets they’re assigned to.

Break this lick into separate parts too! Practice each part individually especially the right hand segment as you will need to get a feel for where you are on the neck and really give your right hand pinky a work-out!

Now, this is a difficult run to master but if you add it to your practice routine, you’ll see the benefits after just a few weeks.

Remember…You don’t have to only use these fingers and strings. If you know your scale patterns…GO FOR IT!

Article by Will Landrum

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