5 Finger Tapping

Learning to tap with more than three fingers isn't as hard as you might think, so in this lesson we're going to take a look at 5 finger tapping for guitar. The concept may be a little different for some, but the process of getting multi-finger tapping down is the same with any other technique.

All you have to do is start slow enough so that you can get the coordination down. Once you've got the muscle memory flowing, the tempo is a lot easier to keep than it is with standard three finger tapping.

Have a listen to this example, and then we'll break it down.





Here's a break down of the tapping process:

1. Tap the 11th fret with your picking hand index finger.
2. Pull off to the fretting hand index finger, which is anchored on the 5th fret.
3. Hammer-on/pull off from the 5th to the 7th fret with your ring finger.
4. Tap the 12th fret with your picking hand middle finger.
5. Pull off to the fretting hand index finger anchored on the 5th fret.
6. Hammer-on/ pull off from the 5th to the 8th fret with the pinkie finger.

That completes the whole cycle of this tap. The trick then is to make sure that you can loop the tap in good timing.

This particular five finger tapping exercise is of course minor, and is not appropriate for every style of music, but the formula for this type of guitar tapping can be customized to fit in with different styles of music.

It all depends on the tempo and key of the song that you want to use it in.

If for some reason you are having trouble with this exercise, focus on the index and middle fingers of the picking hand. Really give a lot of attention to those fingers when they are tapping.

Make sure to do this with the hammer-ons and pull offs as well. If you make it so that your intention is to have strong fingers, you will be golden with all things
guitar.