Beginner Guitar Lessons #4 - Pull offs & Hammer ons

I suppose we can try something different. Past the bare basics, something a little more fun to play with. I'll explain this as throughly and basic as i can.

Pull offs

Pull offs are a simple technique in which a picked note can be "pulled off" to a lower note. The technique is rather self explanatory.

For this lesson we'll use the 5th fret of the high E string to pull off to the 3rd fret. Pick the note on the 5th fret [A] with your middle finger. Now quickly and sharply, pull the note off, using your pointer finger, onto the 3rd fret. The result should be the note sharply changing from A to G.

It's as simple as it sounds. This technique can played very fast and is extremely common in guitar music. Far more "economic" than picking the notes quickly.

Hammer ons

Hammer ons basically are the opposite of pull offs. They are a technique in which one picked note can be hammered on, or sharply hit to a higher note. Like the lesson for pull offs, we'll start at the 5th fret of the High E string again. but instead, the hammer on will be done to the 7th fret [B]. Pick the notes at the 5th fret [A] with your pointer finger now. Use your middle finger now, to sharply hit the 7th fret. You should try and hit note sharp and firm in order to achieve the note change. After your middle finger has hit the 7th fret, you can lift your pointer finger.

Combination

Pull offs and Hammer ons go together like spokes and wheels. They can be used together to achieve fast smooth and flowing licks. Try Hammering on a note and then pulling it back off. You only have to pick once to achieve the sound of three notes.

Hammer ons and pull offs can be used anywhere on the fretboard and can be played with more than 2 notes. Try hammering on 3 notes in a row, or pulling off 3 notes in a row.

When used together, you can play far faster than all picked notes.

Pulling off open strings

I'm sure it has become obvious already that this can be done. But if it hasn't, there's still not much to explain. Pick any note on the fretboard. Now "flick" the note off sharply of course, until it plays the open string of that note. All you're simply doing is using your finger as a guitar pick to flick the note off, just as a guitar pick flicks the string.

That's just about it, have fun!

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