How to Slap and Pop on Acoustic Guitar

In this acoustic guitar lesson, Marc Seal teaches us common bass-style techniques like slapping and popping to coax some different sounds from your acoustic. Add some plucking and percussive clicking and you are ready to put it all together in a riff that will really improve your fingerstyle technique.

Marc Seal is an Elixir® Strings endorsing artist, Taylor Guitars product specialist and host of The Ultimate Guitar Show. Learn more at marcseal.com.

Skill Level:  Beginner to Intermediate

Strings Played

Acoustic Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB® Coating, Medium Gauge
Electric Nickel Plated Steel with OPTIWEB® Coating, Light Gauge

  • Acoustic Phosphor Bronze with NANOWEB Coating
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  • Electric Nickel Plated Steel with OPTIWEB Coating
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More Acoustic Guitar Tips & Tricks

  • How To Hybrid Pick – Beginner Acoustic Guitar Lesson

    Use this easy riff to improve your hybrid picking.

  • How to Arpeggiate More Efficiently

    Seasoned guitarist Marc Seal demonstrates how to arpeggiate (play chords one note at a time) more efficiently and accurately using a technique known as “pick leading.”

  • Learn to Play Percussive Acoustic Guitar Rhythms

    Maneli Jamal demonstrates how to get percussive elements out of the acoustic guitar while playing a chord progressions in 4/4.