Hammer-Ons:
This is a funny name for the way you play these notes, but hammer-ons are used all the time on the guitar – especially on songs that are played fast.
A hammer on is a close relative of the slur or slide.
It is similar to the slide in this way:
You only pick the first note. The notes after the first note you sound with another finger of your left hand, by hammering it on the string.
Hammer-On Diagram 1:
I would like to explain the above notation and what all of the new lines and symbols. Once you do this a few times, it will come pretty naturally for you.
The first two notes of the first measure (with the red 6 above it), is our first note pair to play a hammer-on. Notice how the notes are “tied” with a curved arc line – this is your first hint that a hammer-on in coming. The second thing that signals the hammer-on is the “ho” text above the first of each pairing of notes.
Hammer Ons From The First Diagram
Also notice that there is the same arc line on the Tablature staff directly below each pair of notes, again indicating a hammer-on.
How We Play Them:
When you see a Hammer-On note pair – and there are four different pairs in the example above – only the first note of each pair is picked with your guitar pick. The second note is sounded by doing the following:
Place your 1st finger on the first fret and pick that F note.
While the note is ringing, continue to hold the 1st finger on the note.
Now Hammer you 3rd finger on the G note or the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
We can do basically the same thing with if we have an open string as the first note of the pair. Let’s look at the next measure (the one with the red 7 over it). Here is how you do a Hammer-on with an open string:
Pick the open E or first string open with your right hand pick.
While that note is ringing, hammer-on your 1st finger on the first string.
Are you a little confused? Well, I have included a couple of videos in this article that show exactly how to play these Hammer-Ons in all the examples presented here. Play them through and compare the videos to the notation diagrams.
Hammer-On Diagram 2:
Continuing on with some simple hammer-on passages. Note again that the first note of each pair is picked and the second note is sounded by hammering on a finger.
Hammer Ons From The Second Diagram
Recapping: When you play a hammer on, always note the following elements:
Read what the first and second notes of the note pair are together, as best you can.
Look for the “tie” between the two notes.
Look at the left hand fingering noted below the staff.
Look for the “ho” text above the notes.
Tags: guitar hammer ons, guitar slurs, hammer on guitar, hammer ons, how to play hammer ons
