String Energy

 

When using a tapping, or touch, guitar-based technique, I'm learning that a successful technique, or more specifically, a successful technique for me, has to do with string energy.  You don't have to consider this as much, if at all, when using a traditional approach that involves a plectrum, or "pick."  The pick transfers the energy from your right hand and right wrist directly into the string.  The pick becomes a tool of energy transferal.  When using a touch or tap approach, you don't have that intercedent.  You're directly putting the raw energy into the string with your fingers.

I've been using the tap approach for a few years now, and my technique for this is constantly evolving.  As I learn about energy transferal or energy transmission directly into the strings, I'm forced to consider how much energy is appropriate for what I want to achieve.  This has layers of meaning, but for now, I'll break it out into two areas: single-string attacks, and multi-string attacks for tapping chords or harmonic structures.

Single-string attacks:  Lot of energy, especially in legato playing.  Counter-intuitive.  

Multi-string attacks: While you may not hear or be aware of a single-string attack, you will hear and be aware of it in a multi-string attack.  When tapping chords, you're usually simultaneously tapping between two and five strings.  On my double- and triple-course instruments, that number immediately changes from two to five to four to twelve.  That's a lot of simultaneous attacks.  This results in added transients and percussiveness.  

Less energy is required than in single-string work.  Also counter-intuitive.  

Of course, if a more percussive attack is desired, that's easy to do.  I find that at times, staying with a more percussive attack can tend to intensify or propel the momentum forward.  Like other areas of technique, using or not using a percussive approach is just one more tool; one more paint color in the palette. 

I suspect this is an area of technique wherein I'll be constantly learning.  That's exciting.  Also challenging.

More to come.

-kk