Technique
Legato (hammer ons and pull offs)
Notes articulated by the left hand alone. Smooth, flowing, and faster than alternate picking at extreme tempos.
Why it matters
Notes articulated by the left hand alone. Smooth, flowing, and faster than alternate picking at extreme tempos.
- Hammer on by snapping the fingertip to the fret with force from the knuckle, not the wrist.
- Pull off by flicking the fingertip slightly downward to sound the lower note.
- Keep unused fingers close to the strings.
Common mistakes
- Weak ring and pinky
- Inconsistent volume vs picked notes
- Tense thumb
Build up
Three tempos to grow into it
- Slow
60bpm
Make every note speak before you raise the click.
- Medium
90bpm
Lock in with the metronome on two and four.
- Fast
120bpm
Only after the medium tempo feels effortless.
Step by step
- 1.Hammer on by snapping the fingertip to the fret with force from the knuckle, not the wrist.
- 2.Pull off by flicking the fingertip slightly downward to sound the lower note.
- 3.Keep unused fingers close to the strings.
Did you master this
- Clean tone at the target tempo
- Steady rhythm with a metronome on two and four
- Smooth dynamics across all six strings
- Applied inside a real song or solo
- Recorded once and listened back without flinching
Related techniques
- right-hand
Alternate picking
Strict down up motion of the pick. The foundation of speed and clarity on guitar.
Open - right-hand
Economy picking
When changing strings, continue in the direction that takes the pick toward the next string.
Open - right-hand
Sweep picking
A single pick stroke flows across multiple strings, like a slow strum, with each note articulated by the left hand.
Open - right-hand
Two hand tapping
The picking hand taps notes directly onto the fretboard, often combined with left hand hammer ons and pull offs.
Open - expressive
String bending
Pushing or pulling the string sideways to raise its pitch. The most vocal technique on guitar.
Open - expressive
Vibrato
Repeated small bends that breathe life into sustained notes. Speed and depth define your personal sound.
Open