How to Play a Hammer On on Guitar

Hammer-on technique for guitar is an important skill to master in the beginning stages of learning to play. Not only will it make playing easier all around, but it will open up legato-style playing, used by many greats like Alan Holdsworth. The technique is relatively simple, but like every playing style, to be used effectively, it must be practiced and perfected.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Electric or acoustic guitar

1. Pluck a fretted note and let it ring. It can be anywhere on the fingerboard, but I recommend using a note on the G or B string to start. Use your index finger to fret the note.
2. "Hammer on" a note, while the note is ringing, by quickly and somewhat forcefully bringing down either your middle or ring finger to a fret one or two notes away. If done correctly, the contact of the string to the new fret should cause the note to continue ringing clearly without having to pluck the string again. Your hammer-on needs to be forceful enough to slap the string to the fret and cause it to ring, but you should not mash your fingers against the frets. A light but efficient touch is always better.
3. Practice hammer-ons using 1, 2 and 3 fret intervals between the first and second notes. Use your middle and ring fingers to start, but work up until you are able to perform a clear hammer-on with your little finger, as well.
4. Work up the fret intervals until you can perform hammer-ons across 5 frets or more, as you feel more comfortable

Tips & Warnings

• While practicing hammer-on technique can greatly improve hand strength and dexterity, working too much can cause stress injuries to the tendons in your hand. Always warm up and stretch before playing, and if your hand starts feeling stressed, ease back or stop playing.