Left Hand Technique

Lesson 2/58 | Study Time: 5 Min

Course: Funk and R&B Guitar Method

Left Hand Technique

Here are some exercises to develop the playing of hammer-ons and pull-offs. These techniques are very common in all styles of guitar playing and should definitely be mastered. Be sure to play right on the tips of the fingers when practicing these techniques.

The Hammer-on

The hammer-on is executed by picking a note and then hammering a left hand finger onto the string. The hammer-on is indicated by a curved line and the letter "H".

Begin by playing the note on the fifth fret, fourth string.

Hammer third finger onto seventh fret of fourth string.

Here is an exercise to help you develop the use of hammer-ons.

The Pull-off

The pull-off is executed by playing a note and then pulling the left hand finger off the string towards the floor. This causes a new note to sound. The pull-off is indicated by a curved line and the symbol "P".

Begin by playing the note on the seventh fret, fourth string.

Pull third finger away to produce note at fifth fret.

Here is an exercise for developing control of pull-offs.

The following lick makes use of both hammer-ons and pull-offs.

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Class Sessions

1- More on Sixteenth Notes 2- Staccato 3- The Trail Off 4- Funk Riffs 5- Chords and Rhythms 6- Basic Chords 7- Basic Rhythms 8- Sixteenth Notes and Rests 9- Eighth Notes 10- Learning the Notes 11- Vibrato 12- Chord Forms 13- LESSON FIFTEEN 14- Learning the Keys 15- More on 7th Chords 16- Rests and Ties 17- Sixteenth Notes 18- The Blues Scale 19- Funky Rhythms, Riffs and Chords 20- New Funk Riffs 21- INTRODUCTION 22- Appendices 23- LESSON THIRTY ONE 24- LESSON THIRTY 25- Combing Riffs and Chords 26- New Chords 27- Sliding Chords 28- The 9th Chord 29- More Blues Scales 30- Basic Techniques 31- The Pentatonic Scale 32- Right Hand Technique 33- Left Hand Technique 34- The Slide 35- Bending Notes 36- The Release Bend 37- Tuning Your Guitar 38- Call and Response 39- Tuning 40- Ties 41- Notes on the Guitar Fretboard 42- Note and Rest Values 43- The Whip 44- Muting 45- Ties Across the Bar Line 46- Keys and Key Signatures 47- Chord Diagrams 48- Relative Keys 49- Easy Read Rhythm Notation 50- Chord Symbols 51- Fretboard Diagrams 52- Tablature 53- Tablature Symbols 54- Electric Guitars 55- Amplifiers 56- Technique 57- Approach to Practice 58- Practice Position

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Left Hand Technique