Exercise 6 - Hammer-on’s and Pull-off’s

In this lesson we are going to learn two playing techniques with our left hand, Hammer-on’s and Pull-off’s. They both give a smooth sound, connecting notes especially when you are playing quick runs on the bass.

Hammer-on

A Hammer-on is when you pluck a string, then take  your middle finger, or any finger and strike down onto the note in the fret you are playing. So you have played two notes but only have plucked the string once. That’s a hammer-on.

Here is a hammer on the g string. I play open g and then hammer on the a note. I create the sound with my left hand.

On sheet music a Hammer-on is written with the letter H as the indicator over the note that you will be hammering.

Try these Hammer-on exercises.

Exercise 1 - Start with the open string  G then  hammer on with second finger the note A.

Exercise 2 - In this exercise we start on the G (4th) string and then move to the D string(3rd) using our second finger for the hammer - on technique.

Exercise 3 - In this exercise we start on our first finger on the 5th fret of the D string. We then hammer - on using our 3rd or 4th finger on the 7th fret.

Exercise 4 - This exercise is the same as Exercise 3, however, we also move to the A string and use the same pattern.

Exercise 5 - Here we are starting on the 12th fret of the G string. We start on our first finger, hammer - on with the second finger and and play the 3rd note with the 3rd finger.

Pull-off

A Pull- off is the opposite to a hammer-on. With this technique you start with a finger already pressed down on the string and then you pull the string sideways or off to play the next note.

Here are some Pull-Off exercises

Exercise 1 - In this exercise start on your second finger on the G string and pull - off the A note you are playing. Let the open string ring on it’s own. On the sheet music the Pull-off is indicated with the P above the note you are playing.

Exercise 2 - In this exercise we are starting on fret 14 on the G string. Use your 3rd or 4th finger to pull-off the A note and keep your 1st finger pressed down to play the second note.

Together Hammer-ons and pull-offs are important Bass techniques. they help create a smooth sound in passages and runs. Bass guitarists use them all the time for ease and flow when they are playing.

Have a go at these exercises here that use Hammer-ons and Pull-offs together.