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Guitar licks - Guitar Technique - Hammer-ons and Pull-offs

Before you try the guitar lick, practice the hammer-ons a lot-finger strength is needed and will come with practice. A hammer-on is done by first picking a note(open or fretted), then firmly and quickly planting a left hand finger on a different note(fret). Listen to the hammer-on guitar lick first, and then try to play it.

1. Hammer your finger on the guitar string firmly
2. Hammer your finger close to the fret
3. Let the first note ring slightly before hammering
4. Really think of a hammer hitting a nail
5. Finger numbers are below the guitar tab staff.

Examples of Hammer-Ons using the notes of the E Blues Scale
To play a pull-off, play fretted note to lower note or open string.(see below):

* Fret to Fret will be harder to do than open string to fret

(HEAR IT!)

It is easier to start playing hammer-ons and pull-offs using eighth notes

Pull-offs are done when a fretted note is picked, then the finger pulls off that note causing either the open string or fretted note to ring. As you see in Picture 2, the finger does not pull very far off of the guitar string.

1. Let the fingertip grab the guitar string slightly as it pulls off
2. The finger should pull up and over the adjacent string
3. Finger numbers are below the Tab staff
4. If you are doing a pull-off from a fretted note to another fretted note, put both fingers on their frets and then pull-off( PICTURE 1 to 2)

• Practice the examples of hammer-ons

• Practice each lick 3 times in a row (keep a steady beat)

• Practice each lick 3 times in a row with the metronome or the practice track

• Print out the WRITE YOUR OWN page

• Write out a Hammer lick and a Pull-off lick with quarter notes and half notes.

• Write out a Hammer lick and a Pull-off lick using eighth notes, quarter notes, and half notes

• Practice each one of your guitar licks 3 times in a row

• After writing a couple of licks, try creating some on the spot. Count the rhythm out loud as you play.

• Make sure your licks are 4 beats long