Tapping Your Foot

In this lesson, we'll learn why and how we tap our feet when playing guitar. It might sound like a silly thing, but it's not! Tapping your foot is essential to create a relationship between you and the music, and it'll help you develop your internal sense of time. Together, let’s make this a habit! :) 

 

WHY DO MUSICIANS TAP THEIR FEET

Tapping your foot when listening or making music is a great way to stay aware of where the beat is. That helps you feel the song’s groove while keeping up with the rhythm. It makes the whole playing more personal!

When you practice tapping your foot when playing strumming patterns, you can use a metronome to keep steady time and help you develop your inner sense of time!  

 

HOW TO TAP YOUR FOOT WHEN PLAYING GUITAR

Tap your foot on the opposite side you play your guitar. If you play right-handed guitar, tap with your left foot. And vice-versa! This way, your instrument will always stay in place. 

You must stay aware of your guitar posture too! Ensure you know how to hold your guitar and the best way to position yourself with the instrument. 

You can tap using either your toes or your heel. To avoid getting leg cramps, I recommend using your heel to tap. If you want to use both, switch from toes to heel when your calves get tired.

We tap once on every beat. If a song has four beats per bar, tap your foot four times per bar. Keep your foot consistent and steady! If you don't know what a bar of music is, learn it here.

 

HOW TO PRACTICE 

To practice and develop this skill, try to tap your feet every time there’s music playing - even if it's just the tip of your toe! With time, you’ll start feeling the timing and improve your 'inner metronome.' 

The goal is to make tapping your foot automatic. Think about when you stand next to a speaker, and you can feel the bass inside your chest. Tap into that feeling – pun intended! :)