-
Hammer ons on electric vs acoustic
I don’t currently own an acoustic guitar so I am learning on an electric. I think it is a bit easier for some things as I think the string height may be a bit lower (i could be totally wrong here!). I am finding the volume of my hammer ons is alot quieter. Is the volume issue the same on acoustic and it’s def my technique? I plan on buying an acoustic this summer – once I feel like I can go in to a guitar store and play something! Looking forward to it.
-
4 Replies
-
I think electric’s are easier than acoustics. Just my opinion. But I learned hammer on’s on an electric also and did wonder why they were quieter than the instruction video. I finally figured out that it was my striking of the string that was the issue.
You need to pick the string and strike straight down with the finger tip, not the finger pad and you need to use the same force that you would use to kill a fly busing around your head- you got to hit it HARD and fast and it needs to be right next to the fret , not in the middle of the fret.
Over time it will become natural but those 1st few 200 or 400 try’s are discouraging. After you finally start hearing “that” clean sound you then start work on vibrato. For me it is fun and the rewards worth all of the cussing and moaning. And they “how come it isn’t sounding right” stuff that goes with learning to play the guitar.
-
Yeah, there’s nothing wrong with learning on the electric. I agree. Electrics are much easier to play than acoustics.
@jorgemac gave a good explanation on how to execute a hammer on. Make sure that you are hammering straight down on the tips of your fingers. If you are having difficulty with that, push your hand downward and your fingers will automatically curl more. It does require building up strength in your fingers to do louder hammering but it does become easier with time
They’re a great skill to have, so keep practicing.
Don’t shy away from music stores if you dont know how to play yet. The employees at the stores love to help people. You can always ask for a private room or a lesson room that you can go into. If one is not available, don’t let this push you from enjoying yourself. And looking at the guitars and picking at them and playing around with them. It’s okay not to know that much. You can ask the store for some suggestions. They’ll go out of their way to help you.
-
Hey Loraine how goes it? Next week looks new to me which always intrigues me.
hang in there.
-
Thank you both! Lots of experience and knowledge in here!
Log in to reply.