How to Read a Hammer On on Guitar Tabs

On the guitar, a hammer on is a smooth transition between two or more notes. You only pluck the string once; you play the notes that follow by "hammering" another finger onto the same string at higher fret. You can keep up the volume of the subsequent notes by very quickly pressing your fingers onto the frets. The more hammers you perform on one string, the more difficult it is to maintain the volume.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for an "h" between two or more fret notations. Sometimes guitar tabs also use an arc over the included notes to indicate a hammer on.

2. Press your finger onto the first string and fret indicated.

3. Pluck the string to achieve the desired sound.

4. Place another finger onto the same string at the fret indicated after the "h." In order to maintain the volume of the note, press your finger down as quickly as possible.

5. Repeat Step 4 for every hammered note indicated on the guitar tab. If five notes have an "h" between them, hammer on all of them after plucking only once.

Tips & Warnings

• The higher the fret, the closer it is to the body of the guitar.