Hammer on versus Pull off technique

[Loraine]

Hey Ang, that’s a great question. A hammer on is a flick of the tip of your finger down hammering onto the string.So you go straight down onto the string.With a hammer on. A pull off is more of a flick downward and is very subtle..

[jumpinjeff]

I think there is another distinction….the hammer-on raises pitch and the pull-off lowers pitch. One captures the string and one releases the string. I hope that makes sense! : )

[Ang]

Thank you, it does make a lot of sense! I appreciate you both for taking the time to help me understand this concept (technique).

[Ang]

Thank you for explaining it to me Loraine. I expected the movement to be bigger, like a bending of the string, for a pull off.

[jumpinjeff]

Hi I couldn’t tag you in the response above. I think this will give you the alert for a reply.

[jorgemac]

On a pull off I do bend the string slightly and then Throw the string away from me. It is a Suttle throw but it does help generate energy so the releases string has new energy to vibrate and make a joyful tone.

[Ang]

Thank you, yes, I realized this in today’s lesson. I have to let the string go with energy behind it to get the sound out. Practice, practice, practice

[jorgemac]

If you compare the 2 different ways to do a pull off I think the slight bend and then a aggressive release of that finger has more mojo that just a straight release of the string. Just did both versions and the slight bend version just seems to have a little more “flavor” to it.

[Ang]

Absolutely! I agree, thanks

[vinny-m-327]

I started getting it after working on it. At first I didn’t even want to try, but id did. Hammer ons are tough for me with my ring and pinky finger. Still muted, having an easier time with pull offs.

[crarod]

Another point is to have the “action” as low as possible. This means the strings are as close to the frets without buzzing. This makes both hammer ons and pull offs much easier in my opinion.