Lead Guitar Techniques

The Hammer-on

The hammer-on is a left hand technique which may be incorporated into a lick or solo. The hammer-on produces a note artificially by hammering a finger of the left hand onto a string. The impact of the string against the fretboard will cause the string to sound the note of the hammered fret. This technique is demonstrated in example 27.

In order to play example 27, play the fifth fret of the 4th string with the first finger of the left hand. As the note is sounding and while keeping the pressure applied to the first note, hammer the third finger of the left hand onto the seventh, fret of the same string. If played correctly the note of the seventh fret will be produced. The hammer-on is indicated by a curved line and the symbol "H".

Begin by playing the note on the fifth fret, 4th string.

Hammer third finger onto seventh fret of 4th string.

Using the hammer-on will help create a much smoother flowing lick. This is shown in the following examples.

Example 28 is a simple lick played within pattern one in the key of C.

Example 29 is the same lick as example 28 but hammer-ons are added.

The Pull-off

The pull-off produces a note artificially with the left hand. This time a left hand finger is pulled away from the the string after fretting the note. If played correctly, the action of the finger leaving the string will cause the string to sound. This technique is demonstrated in example 30.

In order to play example 30, play the seventh fret of the 4th string with the third finger of the left hand. Before the third finger is pulled away from the string, it will be necessary to have the first finger fretting the fifth fret of the same string. If played correctly the note of the fifth fret will be produced. The pull-off is indicated by a curved line and the symbol "P".

Begin by playing the note on the seventh fret of the 4th string.

Pull away finger to produce note of the fifth fret.

The pull-off can be used in a lick where a lower note follows a higher note on the same string. Using the pull-off will also help create a much smoother flowing lick. This is shown in the following examples.

Example 31 is a simple lick played within pattern one in the key of C.

Example 32 is the same lick as example 31 but pull-offs are added.

The Slide

This technique involves sliding between two notes on the same string whilst still fretting the string firmly against the fretboard. If played correctly the sound of the second note is produced artificially. The second note is not played with the right hand. The different types of slides are outlined in the following text.
The letter "S" and a straight line indicates a slide. If the line comes from below the number, slide from a lower fret.

If the line comes from above the number, slide from a higher fret. The number in the brackets is the suggested fret from which to slide from. In this situation the first of the two notes should contain no time value.

In the following example a third type of slide is given. A straight line between two tab numbers indicates the first note should be held for a time value before sliding. The accompanying photos illustrate the first and most common type of slides, sliding from a lower fret to a higher fret.

Begin by playing the note on the fifth fret of the 4th string.

Slide to seventh fret, pressing firmly against fretboard.

The slide can be used anywhere within lead guitar pattern one between two notes on the same string. Incorporating this technique into your licks will also help add a smoother, flowing sound. This is shown in the following examples.

Example 34 is a simple lick played within pattern one in the key of C.

Example 35 is the same lick as example 34, but slides are added.

Combining the Hammer-on, Pull-off and Slide

The following licks combine the three lead guitar techniques discussed so far, the hammeron, the pull-off and the slide.