Tapping Technique and Composition: Percussive Bass Tapping on “Riches to the Conjuror”

This lesson on Percussive Bass Tapping is from my song “Riches to the Conjuror” from the album A Lesson in Impermanence streaming on all major platforms.

Well, the video thumbnail says it all… Let’s turn the bass into a drum, shall we? I made a conscious decision a long time ago to not learn other instruments but to channel my desire to do so onto the bass. The technique used in this video is by far my new favorite to play with in a solo bass setting. By resting your right hand thumb on a string (any string, but I used the G and C strings here) by the bridge pick up and using your index/middle fingers to then pluck it you get a cutting “wood block” sound that you can use to provide your own backbeat.

It is incredibly fun and cool sounding but also can give your bandmates an idea of what you want the groove to be in a song idea that you’re writing. Please give it a watch, and if you dig it, please try it out in your own playing!

John Ferrara’s new album, A Lesson in Impermanence is streaming on Spotify and all major platforms. John is also available for private online lessons, via his website. Be sure to check out his Youtube channel.

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