If you're familiar with EFT Tapping, you've likely heard of the basic Tapping points like the side of the hand or the eyebrow point. But there's another powerful point that's sometimes overlooked: the Gamut point.
This special point, when combined with specific eye movements and humming in what's called the 9 Gamut procedure, can be particularly powerful for processing difficult emotions and intrusive thoughts.
Everything here assumes just a little familiarity, and our complete tapping guide fills in the rest.
What is the Gamut point?
The Gamut point is located on the back of either hand, in the indentation between the knuckles of the ring finger and little finger, about half an inch back from the knuckles. This point is also sometimes called the Triple Warmer 3 (TW3) point in traditional Chinese medicine, as it corresponds to the Triple Warmer meridian.
The Gamut point is a unique Tapping point because it's connected to parts of the brain involved in memory processing and emotional regulation. When we stimulate the Gamut point while performing specific eye movements and actions, we can help our brains process information in new ways.
Tapping or gently massaging this point is thought to help release repetitive thinking, obsessing, and worry, while promoting hope, calmness of mind, clarity, and connection with positive possibilities. It’s a helpful Tapping point to stimulate when feeling stressed or reactive, to help calm the brain and body back down.
Where is the Gamut point?
Hold either hand palm down and look at the back of it. Find the gap between your ring finger knuckle and your pinky finger knuckle, then slide about half an inch back toward your wrist, into the small dip between those two tendons. That's the Gamut point. Tap it gently with two fingers of your other hand, or just rub it in a small circle: either way works, and either hand works. It's a small area, so you don't have to hit it exactly to get the benefit.
It isn't one of the nine main points on most Tapping point charts, since it's an add-on step rather than part of the core sequence. It comes out of the more elaborate diagnostic sequences of Thought Field Therapy, the practice EFT grew out of, where practitioners used specific eye movements to test which "algorithm" of points a person needed.
The 9 Gamut Procedure: A powerful addition to your Tapping practice
The 9 Gamut procedure is a specialized sequence originally taught by Gary Craig that combines:
- Continuous tapping on the Gamut point
- Nine specific actions performed while Tapping
- Bilateral stimulation through eye movements (similar to techniques used in EMDR).
This combination makes it particularly effective for:
- Processing traumatic memories
- Reducing intrusive thoughts
- Calming anxiety
- Integrating left and right brain activity
- Enhancing overall emotional processing
How to do the 9 Gamut procedure
While continuously tapping on the EFT Gamut point, perform these nine steps in order:
- Close your eyes
- Open your eyes
- Look hard down to the right (keeping your head still)
- Look hard down to the left
- Roll your eyes in a circle clockwise (like you are following an imaginary clock)
- Roll your eyes in a circle counterclockwise
- Hum a few seconds of a tune (like “Happy Birthday,” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”)
- Count from 1 to 5
- Hum a few seconds of a tune again
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Here's the same sequence walked through one action at a time, so you know exactly what each step is doing. Keep tapping the Gamut point continuously through all nine.
- Close your eyes. A normal, blink-length close is enough. Then move straight to the next step.
- Open your eyes. Keep your head still for the rest of the sequence; only your eyes move from here on.
- Look hard down to the right. As far as it comfortably goes, without straining your neck.
- Look hard down to the left. Same idea, the opposite direction.
- Roll your eyes in a full circle, clockwise. Trace the face of an imaginary clock.
- Roll your eyes in a full circle, counterclockwise. Trace the same clock backward.
- Hum a few seconds of a tune. "Happy Birthday" is the classic choice. Humming and eye movements draw on different parts of the brain, which is the point.
- Count out loud from 1 to 5. This step pulls in the more analytical, language-driven side of the brain.
- Hum a few seconds of a tune again. The same tune or a different one, it doesn't matter which.
One full pass through all nine actions, while tapping the Gamut point, takes under a minute. Used inside a longer round, you'll typically run through it once, then move on to the rest of your Tapping points.
Gamut point benefits
The Gamut point and 9 Gamut procedure offer several unique benefits:
- Enhanced Bilateral Stimulation: Like EMDR therapy, the eye movements in the 9 Gamut procedure help stimulate both hemispheres of the brain, potentially improving emotional processing.
- Deeper Integration: The combination of Tapping, eye movements, and cognitive tasks helps integrate multiple techniques and thus multiple layers of benefits..
- Pattern Interruption: The sequence helps break negative thought patterns by engaging different parts of your brain.
- Emotional Release: Many find it particularly effective for releasing stuck emotions and processing difficult memories.
- Improved Focus: The procedure may help clear mental fog and enhance concentration.
When to use the Gamut point or the 9 Gamut procedure
The Gamut point and 9 Gamut procedure can be especially helpful when:
- You feel stuck with traditional Tapping, and you aren’t getting the results you’re hoping for
- You are processing trauma (even trauma from when you were so young you can’t distinctly remember it)
- You feel off but don’t know why
- You need to break through emotional blocks
- You want to enhance your regular Tapping routine
You can use the Gamut point in several ways:
- As an addition to the basic Tapping sequence: Include it in your standard Tapping rounds, adding this point to the traditional points.
- As a standalone practice: Simply tap or rub the Gamut point whenever you need quick emotional relief
- Combined with other techniques: It works well with bilateral Tapping, EMDR, and other related techniques
Do you still need the Gamut point?
Most modern EFT doesn't use it. Gary Craig taught the 9 Gamut procedure as part of his original, full-length EFT Basic Recipe, and it's still in there for anyone who wants the complete, classic version. But the simplified sequence most people, including us, teach today, the one in our complete tapping guide, leaves it out and still gets strong results for the large majority of issues.
That doesn't make it a relic. People tend to reach for the Gamut point and the 9 Gamut procedure when they're stuck: a round of regular Tapping isn't moving the number, the issue feels foggy or hard to name, or they're working with something old enough that they can't remember when it started. In those cases, the extra step of adding eye movement, humming, and counting on top of the Tapping can unstick something that straight Tapping alone didn't.
Think of it as a tool in the toolbox, not a required step. Get comfortable with the basic Tapping sequence first, and come back to the Gamut point when you want an extra layer for something that feels stuck.
What our data shows
The Gamut point itself isn't tracked as its own session inside The Tapping Solution App; it's a technique layered onto a regular round, not a separate guided meditation. But the numbers on general, getting-started Tapping are strong. Across the 7 sessions in our Getting Started category (239,422 completions), users' self-rated distress drops from an average of 6.1 to 3.5, a 42% drop, in a single sitting. Our own Intro to Tapping and The App session alone has been completed 41,742 times, with ratings dropping from 5.6 to 4.2. And in a peer-reviewed study of 270,461 Tapping Solution App users, a single guided session lowered self-rated anxiety by an average of 44% and stress by 45% (Church & Stapleton, 2020, published in JMIR mHealth and uHealth).
- Instantly reduce anxiety and stress
- Fall asleep faster and sleep better
- Boost productivity, stay motivated
- Relieve chronic or occasional pain
- Release anger, find peace
Common Questions About the Gamut Point
Can I skip parts of the 9 Gamut procedure?
While you can, it's recommended to do all nine steps as each serves a specific purpose in the overall process.
How often should I use the Gamut point in EFT?
You can use it as often as needed, either as part of your regular Tapping routine, as a standalone practice, or whenever you feel stuck.
Does it matter which hand I use?
No, you can use either hand. Choose whichever feels more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gamut point?
The Gamut point is located on the back of either hand, in the indentation between the knuckles of the ring finger and little finger, about half an inch back from the knuckles. This point is also sometimes called the Triple Warmer 3 (TW3) point in traditional Chinese medicine, as it corresponds to the Triple Warmer meridian.
Where is the Gamut point?
On the back of either hand, in the small dip between the knuckles of your ring finger and pinky finger, about half an inch toward the wrist. You can tap it gently with two fingers or rub it in a small circle. Either hand works.
What is the 9 Gamut procedure?
A sequence of nine actions, eye movements, humming, and counting, done while continuously tapping the Gamut point: close your eyes, open your eyes, look down right, look down left, roll your eyes clockwise, roll your eyes counterclockwise, hum a tune, count to 5, then hum again. Gary Craig taught it as part of the original EFT Basic Recipe to add bilateral brain stimulation to a round of Tapping.
Do you need the Gamut point in EFT?
No. Most modern, simplified EFT, including the version we teach, skips it and works well without it. It's an optional extra step people reach for when they feel stuck, are processing something old or hard to pin down, or want an added layer on their regular Tapping round.
What is the Gamut point for?
It adds bilateral stimulation, similar in idea to techniques used in EMDR, to a round of Tapping. People use it for processing stuck or hard-to-place emotions, trauma from before they can remember, and breaking through when regular Tapping alone isn't moving the number.
Is the Gamut point part of the basic recipe?
It's part of Gary Craig's original, full-length EFT Basic Recipe, but not part of the shortened, simplified sequence most people use today. You can add it to any round as an extra step.
Ready to experience the benefits of the Gamut point for yourself?
The Gamut point and 9 Gamut procedure offer a unique and powerful addition to your EFT Tapping practice. Whether you're looking to process difficult emotions, break through mental blocks, or simply enhance your regular Tapping routine, this technique can help take your healing journey to the next level.
Remember, while it might feel a bit unusual at first to do the eye movements and humming, each component of the 9 Gamut procedure serves an important purpose in helping your brain process and release whatever may be troubling you. Be patient with yourself as you learn this technique, and stay open to experiencing its benefits.
And remember you can always tap or rub on the EFT Gamut point on your hand to experience the benefits right away.
Looking for more guided support for your Tapping journey?
Download The Tapping Solution App today for hundreds of guided Tapping meditations designed to help you find relief from stress, anxiety, difficult emotions, and more.
Until next time... Keep Tapping!
Nick Ortner
