ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tapping

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtæpɪŋ// UK //tˈæpɪŋ// tap·ping

n. a way of playing a stringed instrument by hitting the strings with your fingers. You use this to make notes without using a pick or your other hand to pull the strings.

n. a technique for playing stringed instruments, particularly the guitar, where the player strikes the strings against the fingerboard to produce notes. Often involves both hands on the fretboard to create rapid, fluid melodic lines.


SIMPLE

He learned two-handed tapping to play faster solos.

CONTEXTUAL

The guitarist used tapping to create a cascading waterfall effect during the bridge of the song.

COMPLEX

While traditionally associated with heavy metal, tapping has been adopted by acoustic fingerstyle players to incorporate percussive elements and complex polyphony into their solo performances.

Synonyms
Usage

Uncountable when referring to the musical technique; countable when referring to a specific instance or sound of a tap.

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