Percussion: Sweeping Methods and Techniques (Guitar Lesson)

Percussion: Sweeping Methods and Techniques

Erik explains how he started using sweeping. He shows you the ins and outs of sweeping and plays an excerpt from one of his songs showing the technique in action. In the last scene, he talks candidly about the move and his struggles to perfect it.

Taught by Erik Mongrain in Erik Mongrain Artist Series seriesLength: 12:11Difficulty: 2.5 of 5

Supplemental Learning Material

Erik Mongrain Artist Series

Self-taught acoustic guitarist Erik Mongrain shows off some of his innovations and moves in this Phase 2 Artist Series.

About Erik Mongrain View Full Biography Erik Mongrain was born in Montreal on April 12, 1980. When he was young, he was more into sports than music. Growing up to the sounds of Metallica, Jimi Hendrix and mostly Kurt Cobain from Nirvana, Erik discovered an interest in guitar. At 14, he received a classical guitar as a gift and learnt by ear his favorite songs. A year later, he bought his very first electric guitar which allowed him to learn and play Nirvana songs to his delight.

Over the following four years, he learned guitar on his own, composed his own music and discovered Jean-Sebastian Bach classical guitar melodies, which he learned by heart. Around the age of 18, he discovered a Canadian guitar giant who goes by the name of Don Ross.

It was during this period in his life that Erik chose acoustic guitar as his favorite musical instrument through which he wished to share his passion with others around him. He made another major discovery with the contemporary music of a Californian named Michael Hedges. "It was a true revelation tome, I had finally found my niche" stated Erik. He is still a great fan of Michael Hedges to this day.

During that time, he discovered and experimented a technique, which was unknown to him until then, "lap tapping" "I immediately adopted that technique." With the guitar on his lap, he tapped the chords as if it were a piano. The effect was spectacular! People passing by on the streets were his first "fans". Over those years, Erik played in streets and subway stations in Montreal, in the U.S. as well as in Europe.

In Granada, Spain, a journalist came across this young Montrealer, who was then 21, sitting on the sidewalk and playing his guitar. Impressed by his talent, he wrote an article in the "Granada" newspaper and made the following prediction:

"As another great guitar tapping player, Stanley Jordan, Mongrain started out in the streets of Granada, he will continue on in the Barcelona subway and will probably end up recording on world class major labels"
  - Jesus Arias, Granada

Erik is a musician who is constantly researching and exploring the world of music. For almost two years now, Erik has resumed standard guitar posture and has been writing at tremendous speed songs in which the harmonies and melodies are profoundly inspired.

It is often said that one cannot fight fate. From streets to T.V. sets, this young self-taught guitar player has not betrayed the old saying. 2007, Erik Mongrain launches his first CD entitled "Fates" and now "Equilibrium" to the delight of music lovers.