Hammer-ons and pull-offs, known by their official name as “slurs,” are super cool…
They help you sound better, play faster, and can allow you to do things you could not do with a pick.
So let’s talk about how they work and how to make them sound better if you are already using them.
Dig it!
28 replies to "Hammer-ons And Pull-offs Better (or at all)"
Griff, I hate to “call you out,” but…
When I do a hammer-on slur, it’s kinda like “tapping.”. I have descending licks that I play, where I don’t even pick the D or A strings (depending on where I stop), and it sounds just fine. I’m not just “perpetuating the energy of the pick.”
Likewise, with pull-offs, I flick the string like you described. I don’t have any nitpicks about that!
I practice both of these techniques on my acoustic guitar, too. (No “overdrive.”)
The trick is to make all the notes sound the same (assuming I want them to), and THAT takes PRACTICE!
Otherwise, great lesson!
ENJOYED THIS LITTLE LESSON. BUT HAVEN’T RECEIVED ANY MORE SINCE. WHAT’S UP WITH THAT?
Great lesson as always, Griff, and the first I’ve received in a while
Regards from Forest of Dean here in the UK
I missed you Griff, very happy to receive your emails and awesome lessons again!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!!
I feel like I rely too much on ‘slurring’ . I need to work more on picking more notes.
Merry Christmas Griff!
Thanksh for this leshun, Griff.
Great lesson, it’s good to hear from you again, after about 6 months of lessons coming in. It was a surprise to see one this morning in my email. Hope they keep coming!
Funny, after a few beers, I can slur both my guitar and vocals at the same time!
My biggest technical challenges playing the guitar are pull offs and bends. Hammer ons are easier for me. I tend to play more acoustic than electric. Even when I play electric, I don’t own any pedals. Not one. Sooooo, overdrive isn’t an option. I do like the exercises. I can start using some of that as a warm up or even something to practice while I’m watching TV. Thanks for another practical, hands on lesson Griff.
Thanks, Griff. Because I don’t often use a pick, slurs are essential to my playing. I use them a lot, and have gotten fairly handy at it, but you can always get a fresh perspective and you have given me that. Good exercises for strengthening my slurs too! Cheers!
Finally, instructor comment on amp setup! I lean towards playing “clean” and struggled with hammer on volume. I did not make the connection to hammer on volume & overdrive for a number of reasons. That knowledge is worth its weight in gold. Thank you.
I’m not the only one whose voice gets lower on the way down and higher on the way up. Really nice technique exercise.
I enjoyed the lesson I am new to soloing this will help me in my practicing. Thanks Griff
nice lesson. always enjoy them, don’t always accomplish the skill level I desire.
at 79yo with arthritis in my left hand it is difficult.
started at age 10.. lots of desire, little talent… stopped playing in my 20’s, life happens.
Yo! Mike. Join the club of ancient, lifelong beginners?
Merry Christmas.🎄
What’s your take on why people have what I call guitar face when they are playing lead about everybody does it. Just wondering..
Great explanation. With the music I play there are a lot of pull-offs and hammer-ons. I practice them all the time. Again thanks.
Griff this lesson will absolutely improve my slurrs and just adding a little overdrive and being quicker alone made an immediate improvement thanks again for another great lesson
WATCH HENDRIX DO THE SLURS AT THE MONTERAY POP FESTIVAL . 1968 THE CROUD WENT WILD HE JUST DID SLURS WITH OUT PICKING .
WELL, MY DAUGHTER IS IN OREGAN, PORTLAND REED COLLGE ALL MY KIDS ARE FROWN, BUT MY #2 SON STILL LIVES AT HOME HE JUTS GEADUATED FROM SANTAMONICA COLLOGE HE IS AGREAT PIOANO PLAYER AND A GRETA DJ AND MUCICAN
BACK IN 1982 WE WENT FOR A GIG AT DISNEYLAND. WE WHERE RECOMNDED BY BOBBY SHERMAN WE HAD ASONG AN AM RADDIO WE COULD NOT PLAY UNLESS WE CUT OUR HAIR
DISNEY LAND, NICE PLACE TO WORK, BUT WOULD NOT PLAY THERE FOR A 100K! THANKS FOR THE LESSON GRIFF. I ALWAYS USE A BIT OF MY COMPRESOR AND OVERDRIVE FOR SLURS.
Hey Bro,
Need to turn off the caps lock
Thanks Griff, Definitely something I need to work on
Hi, Griff. I’m STILL finding new things in things I thought were old. I guess it’s like the Marines say, “It never hurts to OVERLEARN something, only to UNDERLEARN something.”
Great lesson. Thanks very much.
I like that.
Thanks for the practice tips. It’s always helpful to have some kind of exercise with a technical lesson. These would be great warm-up exercises too.
Cool got a better idea of how to make that work never quite got how to make that happen.
It is so nice to watch a teacher who can do as well as teach! Great lesson – even for more experienced players. Great work, Griff.
Nice!! Can sit around and noodle