The Pull-off (P)
A pull-off is another technique of sounding a note without actually picking the string (with the right hand). This time a left hand finger is pulled away from the string after fretting the note. In the following example, only the E note is picked, but the third finger "pulloff" the string to produce the sound of the D note.
The pull-off effect is indicated by the curved line and the P above it. Remember that the second note (D), is not picked; the sound is produced entirely by the third finger pulling-off to the string. You must be very careful with the timing of the pulloff. Both the E and D notes are eighth notes and each should have an equal time value when played (regardless of the pull-off technique).
Example 186 combines the pull-off technique with the hammer on technique.
Grace Notes
To create a different feel with the hammer-on, it can be played faster. Compare the following:
The quick hammer-on is also called a grace note. In Tab notation the grace note is placed in brackets before the hammered on note. In traditional music notation the grace note is a smaller size with a line through the stem. The grace note is played just before the beat of the hammered on note. The quick hammer-on is applied in the next example.
Example 188 starts with grace notes played as a fast sequence of a quick hammer-on followed by a quick pull-off. In the second bar there is also a hammer-on.
