Legato Playing Techniques

Okay, then let's take a look at another technique, or perhaps I should say series of techniques. We're going to focus on legato playing now.

Understanding Legato

If you ever hear the term legato, it refers to a smooth way of playing. For guitar players, this means:

• Instead of picking all the notes of a phrase,
• We'll use hammer-ons and pull-offs to achieve a smooth sound.

Exercise Overview

The exercise I'm going to show you is just on one string. It's a great exercise for:

• Building a good legato technique
• Developing strength and independence in your left hand

This is actually a Paul Gilbert lick. He's more known for his alternate picking techniques than his legato, although he's phenomenal at both. This is a lick that I know he uses a lot, so we've got him to thank for this!

Starting the Exercise

Let's play it down in A minor on the E string, starting with the little finger on the eighth fret.

Instructions:

1. Pick the C note.
2. Pull off to the first finger on A (fifth fret).
3. Hammer on to B (seventh fret).
4. Back up to the original note (C).
5. Pull off down those three notes.

Note:

• The only time we're going to pick a note is to start this lick off with the C note.
• The right hand doesn't do anything other than ensure the other strings stay quiet while we do our legato thing with our left hand.

Observing Technique

If you watch my right hand:

• It starts the phrase and then remains inactive.
• I'm utilizing legato technique, ensuring the accuracy of a hammer-on and the elastic band effect of a pull-off.

For example, here, between my little finger and my third finger, I'm going to pull off to release that fretted note.

Building Speed

This is a fantastic lick that can help you build an amazing amount of speed quickly. As you loop this exercise, you'll start to feel the area between your little and third fingers working.

Tips:

• Initially, if you're new to legato playing, you might put a lot of energy into the strings. Concentrate on relaxing your left hand as you speed up.
• Gradually start the lick and increase the speed while keeping the lower strings quiet with the palm of your right hand.

Practice Suggestions

• You can change the order of the notes or incorporate other fingers, maybe replacing with a B flat or alternating between two notes.
• This lick is flashy yet manageable once you develop the fundamental hammer-on and pull-off technique.

Incorporating Legato into Scales

The next step is to incorporate these techniques with occasional picked notes.

For example, when practicing the major scale:

• Normally, you'd practice this picked, but consider practicing it legato.
• Try combinations like:
  • Pick, Hammer-on, Pick, Hammer-on, etc.

This approach creates a completely different tone.

Conclusion

When practicing, remember:

• The little bracket between two notes in the tab symbolizes these techniques:
  • If the numbers are ascending, you're doing a hammer-on.
  • If the numbers are descending, you're doing a pull-off.

Have a go at that little practice lick; I think it's a great one to work on. Now, let's have a look at the next technique!