Hammer on

Left Hand Techniques: Hammer-On and Gallop

Now we're going to learn another technique with the left hand: the hammer-on.

Understanding the Hammer-On

• Pluck the string and then hammer your finger down on another fret of the same string.
• You can:
  • Pluck the string open and then hammer any fret you want.
  • Pluck the string with a finger placed and add a new finger.

Example:

• I'm plucking, and then it's just my left hand hammering the next note.

Combining Techniques

We're going to try adding the hammer into the gallop in the same way that we added the slide.

• How to Do It:
  • Hammer as we pluck the next note.
  • Practice the hammer alone, then add that string, incorporating the rhythm pattern that's in the gallop.

Recap of Techniques

So far, we have:

• Slide with the gallop
• Hammer with the gallop

Common Challenges

You've probably heard the sound of a hammer-on or slide, or any other left-hand note where it's not placed at the same time as the next string.

• This does happen. But initially, if you try doing that, you're going to find that you're stopping your right hand to play your left hand, and that's going to throw the rhythm off.

Key Takeaway

You have to learn to do both things together. Then you can start adjusting your timing.