The Mousetrap
September 05 - October 12, 2025
Two-handed guitar playing, also known as tapping, has become a staple of modern guitar technique. This method involves using both hands to play notes on the fretboard, allowing for increased speed, dexterity, and expressive range. While popularized by guitarists like Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai, Steve Lynch is often credited with developing and perfecting the two-handed tapping technique.
: His first book, written while still a student at GIT, became a foundational text for the tapping style. Instructional Influence
Lynch's two-handed tapping technique involves using both hands to play notes on the fretboard, creating a rich, layered sound. This technique requires a great deal of hand dexterity, finger strength, and coordination. Lynch's mastery of this technique has allowed him to create complex, intricate solos that are both melodic and technically impressive. steve lynch two handed guitarist pdf link download
Originally published in 1982, this remains the definitive guide for his tapping method. It is still available for purchase through retailers like Instructional Lessons:
According to Guitar World , Lynch focused heavily on music theory, applying arpeggios, triads, and chord inversions to his two-hand tapping 1.2.4.
In the landscape of 1980s hard rock, one name stands out for technical innovation and blistering speed: , the lead guitarist for Autograph . While many players of that era were heavily influenced by Eddie Van Halen's tapping, Lynch refined the technique into a specialized, polyphonic art form. His seminal instructional book, "The Right Touch: The Art of Hammering Notes with the Right Hand," became a bible for aspiring shredders.
Influenced by jazz fusion pioneers and music theorists at the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), Lynch developed a complete . This approach treats the fretboard like a piano, utilizing all four fingers of both the left and right hands to execute complex scales, arpeggios, and polyphonic lines. Core Concepts of Lynch's Two-Handed Technique
Nearly all tapping is executed with a motion that comes from the , not the finger joints. The goal is to produce a clear, loud note with minimal effort. Two-handed guitar playing, also known as tapping, has
If you are searching for a PDF to learn his style, you are likely looking for these key components:
Fretdown a note with your left hand on the 5th fret (index). With your right hand, tap the (Right Index). Tap the 10th fret (Right Middle). Tap the 11th fret (Right Ring). Tap the 12th fret (Right Pinky).
Finger Independence: Lynch’s exercises focus on strengthening the pinky and ring fingers of the picking hand, which are often neglected by traditional players.
Unlike mere tapping "tips," the book provides a structured curriculum for both hands.
Steve Lynch, the blazing lead guitarist for the 1980s rock band Autograph, is recognized as a pioneer of two-handed tapping. While Eddie Van Halen brought tapping to the mainstream, Lynch took the technique into the realm of classical-influenced, polyphonic mastery, famously documenting his approach in instructional videos. : His first book, written while still a
Vertical vs. Horizontal Movement: While most guitarists think in linear scales, Lynch’s method encourages vertical movement across strings to create "cluster" chords.
: Keep an eye on major video-on-demand platforms. Instructional videos from the REH catalog, including Lynch's, are occasionally re-released in digital format (such as on Amazon Prime Video or specialty guitar streaming sites). This is a modern, convenient way to watch the original lesson.
Steve Lynch is widely regarded as one of the most innovative guitarists of the 1980s, primarily known for his tenure with the multi-platinum rock band Autograph. While the era was filled with "shredders," Lynch distinguished himself by perfecting a complex 8-finger tapping style that transformed the guitar into a polyphonic instrument, capable of sounds previously reserved for the piano or synthesizer. For guitarists searching for a steve lynch two handed guitarist pdf link download, understanding the theory and physical execution behind his method is the first step toward mastering this legendary approach. The Mechanics of the 8-Finger Style
Additionally, Steve Lynch has remained an active educator throughout his career, occasionally teaching at the Musician’s Institute (GIT) and releasing updated instructional video courses through online guitar education academies. Checking authorized guitar lesson platforms often yields high-definition video breakdowns of his exact text exercises, complete with accurate, interactive on-screen tab notation.
