Top 3 Takeaways
1) Master tapping as a foundation for advanced guitar playing – start with simple hammer-ons, pull-offs, and three-note patterns before progressing to two-hand tapping.
2) Advanced techniques like sweep picking, hybrid picking, Travis picking, and inside picking expand your creative range – each adds new textures and styles to your playing.
3) Clarity and control matter more than speed – practicing slowly and cleanly will unlock the ability to play faster, more complex riffs and solos with confidence.
Advanced guitar techniques like sweep picking, travis picking, two-hand tapping open up a myriad of expression and creativity to playing guitar.
These aren’t just flashy tricks — they turn the guitar into a richer, fuller instrument capable of everything from delicate folk rhythms to blazing metal solos.
We’ll start dive into five advanced guitar techniques that every player should add to their toolbox.
Double Tapping
Two-hand tapping or double tapping is a technique that utilizes both hands to tap a series of notes and flourishes on the guitar.
Learning how to tap on guitar is a fun and impressive to any audience.
The fretting hand is tapping as usual, while the picking hand also moves to the fretboard and also taps.
There are 3 main techniques to nailing tapping on guitar:
1) Choosing Your Tapping Finger: Most players use their index or middle finger from the picking hand — experiment to see which feels most natural and provides the best control.
2) Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs: Practice hammering on with enough force to match your fretted notes, then add pull-offs (downward or upward) to release the note cleanly.
3) The Classic Three-Note Pattern: Start with the essential 5th–8th–12th fret pattern, playing it up, down, or both ways; focus on clean execution first, and let speed come later.
This is a technique that goes all the way back to tapping on ukulele, and very popular among guitarists like Eddie Van Halen.
With this technique one can execute gigantic arpeggios and perform interesting scales.
If you want to take it up another notch, one can also use this technique to shred diatonic scales.
Hybrid Picking
This picking style is a staple in country guitar playing.
Hybrid picking requires the player to play with their pick as well as the other fingers of their picking hand tat the same time.
This lets you pluck bass notes with the pick while using your middle and ring fingers for treble notes giving the guitar player a load of new options when it comes to riffing and lead work.
There’s a rhythm to this type of picking and it may be a bit awkward at first but with some practice, anyone can tackle this concept.
Inside Picking
Inside picking is a super tricky technique.
Simply put, it's when you pick between two strings.
For example, imagine the B and high E strings.
The idea of inside picking is to play notes with the pick attacking the strings from the inside space between those two strings.
This translates to a downstroke on the high E string and an upstroke on the B string, keeping your pick in between the two strings.
Inside picking is a type of alternate picking.
if you nail this technique, you will eventually be able to play smoother and faster.
Travis Picking
Travis picking, like hybrid picking, is the technique of utilizing multiple fingers of your picking hand.
Specifically using your thumb to play bass notes while your other fingers play the treble strings.
It’s different from hybrid picking because it does not require the use of a pick, and the bass notes played by the guitarist’s thumb is consistent throughout the entire song.
In Travis picking, the guitar player moves from the root note to the the fifth note and this adds a lot of drama, and almost sounds like the beat of a drum, or the bass notes of a piano.
Tracks like the classic “Keep On Truckin’” by Jorma Kaukonen employ this technique.
You may also find this technique extremely useful when it comes to playing country music, ragtime, and folk music.
Sweep Picking
Sweep picking is a guitar technique where the guitarist plays an entire arpeggio in one single sweep, instead of individually picking each string.
When performed fast, the result is a flurry of notes that seamlessly blend together.
This is a technique that is often associated with lightning-speed lead guitar often found within the metal and hardcore genres.
The basic idea of sweeping is fairly simple. It’s all about the smooth transition from one string to the next in one movement.
FAQ: Guitar Tapping
What is tapping on a guitar?
Tapping is a guitar technique where you use a finger from your picking hand (usually the index or middle finger) to hammer-on and pull-off notes directly on the fretboard, often creating fast, fluid runs.
Is guitar tapping hard to learn?
Tapping is easier than it looks. With slow, consistent practice focusing on clean hammer-ons and pull-offs, even beginners can add it to their playing.
Which finger is best for tapping on guitar?
Most guitarists use the index or middle finger of their picking hand. Both work — it comes down to comfort and control.
What songs use guitar tapping?
Iconic songs include Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption,” Steve Vai’s “For the Love of God,” and Joe Satriani’s “Midnight.” Tapping is also common in modern rock and metal solos.
Do I need long nails for tapping?
No. In fact, shorter nails make tapping easier since you’ll have better contact with the fretboard.
Can beginners learn tapping?
Yes! Start with simple three-note patterns before moving on to faster or more complex riffs.
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