A fretting-hand technique where you "hammer" a finger onto the fretboard to sound a higher note — without picking the string again.
Beginner
Index Finger (1)
Middle Finger (2)
Pluck / String Attack
Pick
① Pluck
② Hammer
③ Ring
Step-by-Step Technique Breakdown
Expert Technique Tip: "The sound of a hammer-on comes from the speed of
the impact, not just the force. Imagine your finger is a tiny whip – it needs a quick, snappy motion
to make the string vibrate clearly."
Practice Checklist
1. Hammer from fret 5 to 7 with no extra pick.
2. Keep the fretting hand relaxed and close to the neck.
3. Repeat 8 clean reps without buzzing.
Shortcuts: 1-4 switch technique · Space play demo · C toggle checklist
More Techniques
These lessons moved here from their old pages — the links below are where they live now.
String Bends
Fret a note, pick it, then push the string sideways (toward the ceiling or floor) to raise the
pitch. Start with a half-step bend on the B string at fret 7, using a supporting finger behind
the bending finger for leverage. Bend in tune by targeting the sound of the destination fret.
Check your bend pitch against the target note played normally.
Keep wrist relaxed; the rotation comes from the forearm, not finger strength alone.
Pull-Offs
The reverse of the hammer-on: fret a higher note with a finger behind a lower fretted (or open)
note, pick once, then pull the higher finger away with a slight downward flick so the lower
note rings clearly.
Pull toward the floor, don't just lift straight off the string.
Practice fret 7 → fret 5, then fret 5 → open, on the B string.
Slides
Fret a note, pick it, and while it rings, glide the same finger along the string to a new fret.
Keep pressure firm enough that the note keeps sounding through the travel, then land squarely
behind the target fret.
Start with fret 5 → fret 7 on the G string, one pick per slide.
Watch the fret dot markers, not your finger, to land accurately.