Sorta' off-topic..... Who invented guitar "tapping" ?

[Bryant]

I always thought Eddie Van Halen started the guitar tapping, but I stumbled upon a video of Chet Atkins doing it before Eddie. As a guitarist, I am certainly aware of Chet's reputation of being an absolute monster guitarist, but I can't say I am familiar with his work. Chet was doing guitar tapping in 1966, on his rendition of a song called "Orange Blossom Special." That is pretty wild. I had no idea.


Bryant

 

[Assault_Attack]

EV might not be the 1st but he took it to new heights.

Before EV in rock there was also Steve Hacket from genesis. I read where Gary Moore quit doing it when VH broke so people would not accuse him of copying Eddie.

Anymore guitar taping before EV??

 

[Wyvern]

According to some Internet research I did it goes musically as long as Paganini on violin.

On guitar properly seems to be dated to the 50's, check Jimmie Webster and Emmett Chapman.

Oh, and check this one out

 

[carnut]

That's a cool video Rolando !!!

 

[mdmatt4ever]

ace frehley did it before EVH

 

[Bryant]

That's a cool video Rolando !!!

I agree. That guy is tough !! I might as well link the Chet Atkins..... I think the harp player is Bon Jovi's uncle !!

 

[muzmaze]

He may have not been the first...but Alan Holdsworth quietly had a profound impact on players like Satch, Petrucci, Lifeson and Eddie. Of course Eddie redefined guitar and the tapping technique...Eddie digs Holdsworth bigtime.

 

[ElectricWiz]

I think Richie Blackmore is the first to reeeeally use it in heavy rock. But you hear bits and pieces of it all over the place in the late 60s early 70s. Also, Hendrix used it - though I admit in both cases I note, they weren't using it to fully developed Eddie-max. Oh, and I think I did read once that Eddie saw Page do it on Heartbreaker, and just kind of took the ball and ran with it.