Contrapuntal Tapping

In the Beginner Tapping course, we learnt how to use the tapping technique to play a variety of different lines, from outlining chord progressions effectively using voice leading, to providing accompaniment parts using chords and arpeggiated figures. Consequently, you should by now be quite comfortable with the basic mechanics of the technique. In this course we will put the rhythmic independence ideas that were covered in the previous course to use in some contrapuntal basslines.

Counterpoint is the relationship between two or more parts that work together, but which are rhythmically independent. Music written in this way is described as ‘contrapuntal’. This chapter will explore some basic contrapuntal ideas on the bass, most of which will consist of a bassline performed by the fretting hand, and a melody or chordal motif performed by the picking hand.

Don't forget to hit the Download Resources button above to receive the PDF worksheet that accompanies these lessons! This course contains the following videos, each of which can be selected from the video player above: