Left Hand Tapping Guitar Lesson

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Left Hand Tapping

Taught by Mark Kroos in Extreme Folk Guitar seriesLength: 11:28Difficulty: 2.0 of 5

Left Hand Melody
Left Hand Melody (GP)

D Major Scale in DADGAD

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Extreme Folk Guitar

Found in our Beginner Lesson Sets

Extreme folk guitarist, Mark Kroos guides you step by step on the setup and technique aspect of playing in the style he deems "Extreme Folk." This style is also referred to by some as lap tapping.

Lesson 1

Introduction

Mark Kroos introduces himself and the lesson series he is starting. In this lesson, Mark talks about what he'll be covering in the lessons to come.

Length: 7:47 Difficulty: 0.0 FREE

Lesson 2

In the second lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark explains the ideal guitar setup for this style of playing. He talks about, strings, accessories and some things to watch out for in your setup.

Length: 7:43 Difficulty: 0.0 Members Only

Lesson 3

DADGAD Tuning

In lesson three of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark talks about the advantages of using DADGAD tuning in this style. He also demonstrates how to get in to DADGAD from standard tuning using your ear.

Length: 13:12 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only

Lesson 4

Basic Fingerstyle Technique

In lesson four of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark discusses basic fingerstyle technique. Although this isn't the main technique that will be utilized in this style, it does come in to play, so covering...

Length: 13:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 5

Basic Chords in DADGAD

Before jumping too far into the world of "extreme folk guitar," it's helpful to have a road map. In lesson five of his series, Mark Kroos covers some of the basic chords you'll utilize in this tuning.

Length: 7:51 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only

Lesson 6

Left Hand Tapping

In the sixth lesson of his extreme folk guitar series, Mark Kroos discusses the left hand tapping techniques used in this style.

Length: 11:28 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 7

Right Hand Tapping

Now that you've learned the basic approach to left hand tapping, Mark Kroos demonstrates the basic approach to right hand tapping.

Length: 11:42 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 8

Using a Capo

In his eighth lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the primary function of a capo - to change keys. He will discuss more creative and conceptual ideas for capo use in a future lesson.

Length: 6:24 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only

Lesson 9

Power Chords

In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses power chords and how they apply to DADGAD tuning. This tuning enables you to use one finger to make your power chords, allowing you to project the chords and stay out...

Length: 12:58 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only

Lesson 10

Combining Hands

Now that Mark has demonstrated tapping techniques for the left and right hands, it's time to combine them. In his ninth lesson, Mark provides a few exercises that help with this process.

Length: 9:41 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 11

Parallel Fifths

In his 11th extreme folk lesson, Mark Kroos discusses parallel fifths and how they can be used to create melody. DADGAD tuning is extremely conducive to this compositional technique.

Length: 12:14 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 12

DADGAD D Major Playing

In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the movable chord shapes necessary to play in a major key within DADGAD tuning.

Length: 16:22 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 13

DADGAD D Minor Playing

Now that you understand the basics of playing in D major, Mark discusses playing in D minor.

Length: 11:34 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 14

Percussive Techniques

In his fourteenth lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to turn your guitar into a drum kit.

Length: 19:37 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only

Lesson 15

Chords in D Minor

In lesson 15, Mark demonstrates some chord chord grips for the diatonic chords in D minor. He also discusses how relative minor keys relate to their major counterparts.

Length: 12:34 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 16

Cascading

In his sixteenth lesson in extreme folk guitar, Mark discusses a technique he calls "cascading." Cascading is a quick hammer-on and pull-off technique that allows notes within a melodic figure to run together...

Length: 12:47 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 17

More Cascading

Now that you've got the basic cascading technique under your belt, Mark is back with a look at what else you can do with this technique. In this lesson, he adds chords as well as picking into the mix.

Length: 18:44 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only

Lesson 18

Open D Tuning

In his 18th lesson with JamPlay, Mark Kroos discusses the advantages of working in Open D Tuning. Additionally, he teaches some fundamental chords in this tuning as well as how to get to it from DADGAD.

Length: 28:27 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 19

Natural Harmonics

Mark Kroos is back with a lesson on natural harmonics. You may be familiar with the concept, but Mark takes it to the next level and demonstrates how to include these harmonics in the songwriting process.

Length: 27:50 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only

Lesson 20

Creating Altered Tunings

In this lesson, Mark Kroos discusses why you may want to create your own altered tuning. He also provides some tuning tips and what to avoid.

Length: 20:55 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 21

6th Intervals

In this lesson, Mark Kroos takes a look at diatonic 6th intervals in both DADGAD and open D tuning.

Length: 33:51 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 22

Slap Harmonics

Mark is back with a lesson on slap harmonics. In this lesson, he covers when and how you might use this technique.

Length: 18:24 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 23

Harp Harmonics

Now that Mark has covered natural and slap harmonics, he provides a lesson on what are commonly referred to as "harp harmonics." This technique will allow you to add some flair to your playing and can...

Length: 16:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 24

CGDGGD Tuning

Mark Kroos covers a new tuning that you may want to try in your extreme folk playing. He covers the advantages of CGDGGD tuning, common chord shapes, and how to tune to it from DADGAD tuning.

Length: 25:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only

Lesson 25

Practice Strategies

To conclude the first part of his Extreme Folk Guitar teachings, Mark Kroos provides a lesson on practice strategies. He discusses the differences between playing and practicing, time management and using...

Length: 16:49 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only

Lesson 26

Octaves

Returning to his Extreme Folk Guitar series, Mark Kroos offers up a lesson on octaves. Just like in the movable fifths lesson, Mark discusses how and why you might utilize octaves in your playing. He demonstrates...

Length: 33:33 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 27

Thumb Percussion

In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates how to use your thumb to create percussive rhythms on the guitar. This is beneficial as a backing if you're singing, or have a lull in the music you're playing.

Length: 12:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 28

Explosive Pull-offs

In the lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates an easy, yet unique technique that can transform your playing and add some pop to your arrangements. Called an "explosive pull-off," this technique involves doing...

Length: 5:39 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only

Lesson 29

Partial Capos

In this lesson Mark discusses the use of a partial capo. He demonstrates how to utilize a partial capo and how this benefits your playing. Lastly, he discusses how to modify and create other partial...

Length: 18:02 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 30

Slap Pop Technique

In this lesson, Mark Kroos demonstrates the slap and pop techniques. Similar to slap bass, you can use this technique to add percussion and a unique sounding attack to your playing.

Length: 25:49 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 31

Clawhammer Technique

In this lesson, Mark builds on the slap pop technique taught in his last. This quasi "clawhammer" technique is something most commonly found in banjo playing. Mark discusses its uses and demonstrates...

Length: 15:17 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 32

Open G Tuning

Mark Kroos returns to his "Extreme Folk Guitar" series with a lesson on Open G tuning. He discusses and demonstrates the basic chords in the key as well as some of the advantages of playing in Open G versus...

Length: 28:48 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

Lesson 33

Muting With A Bandana

In this short lesson, Mark demonstrates how to utilize a bandana or handkerchief to accomplish a slight mute on your string. This helps to create a staccato rhythm effect that improves the groove.

Length: 12:35 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only

About Mark Kroos View Full Biography Mark Kroos plays 2 guitar necks at the same time. Originally from Lansing, MI but currently based in Williamsburg, VA he is one of the only people in the world touring his trade.

Mark Kroos plays 2 guitar necks at the same time. Originally from Lansing, MI but currently based in Williamsburg, VA he is one of the only people in the world touring his trade. His primarily instrumental style is characterized by open harmonies, polyphonic textures, incredible tapping technique, and is as entertaining to watch as it is to listen to. Live performances burst with energy and magnetism not typical of solo guitar music. Drawing influence from folk, Celtic, indie, and even punk rock artists as well as other great guitarists such as Michael Hedges, Phil Keaggy, Tommy Emmanuel and Leo Kottke, Mark Kroos has developed his own edge to the acoustic guitar.

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Left Hand Tapping Guitar Lesson

Left Hand Tapping

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