Legato Playing
Master hammer-ons and pull-offs to create smooth, flowing lines with minimal picking—the secret to fluid, vocal-like guitar playing.
Legato playing uses the fretting hand to produce notes by hammering onto the fretboard (hammer-on) or plucking off the string (pull-off), rather than picking each note. This technique is essential for:
- Creating smooth, connected phrases
- Playing fast runs with less picking effort
- Achieving a vocal, singing tone
- Shred guitar and fusion styles
The Two Core Techniques
Pick the first note, then use a finger to hammer down forcefully on a higher fret without picking again.
e|---5h7---5h8---5h7h8---|
∏ ∏ ∏
Pick only the first note of each group
h = hammer-onKey points:
• Hammer with force—use wrist/arm motion, not just finger
• Land perpendicular to the fretboard
• Keep other fingers close to the fretboard, ready to hammer
Fret both notes, pick the higher note, then pull your finger off sideways (toward the palm) to sound the lower note.
e|---8p7---8p5---8p7p5---|
∏ ∏ ∏
Pick only the first note of each group
p = pull-offKey points:
• Pull sideways (not straight up) to "pluck" the string
• Keep the lower note fretted before you pull off
• Use a snapping motion for volume and clarity
Essential Legato Exercises
e|---5h7h8---8p7p5---5h7h8---8p7p5---| B|---5h7h8---8p7p5---5h7h8---8p7p5---| G|---5h7h9---9p7p5---5h7h9---9p7p5---| D|---5h7h9---9p7p5---5h7h9---9p7p5---| One pick stroke per string, all other notes legato Start at 60 BPM, increase by 5 BPM weekly
e|---12h13h15---15p13p12---| B|---12h13h15---15p13p12---| G|---12h14h15---15p14p12---| D|---12h14h15---15p14p12---| A|---12h14h15---15p14p12---| E|---12h14h15---15p14p12---| G major scale, one pick per string Ascending = hammer-ons, Descending = pull-offs
e|---5h7p5h7p5h7p5h7p5h7p5h7---| Pick once, then rapid hammer/pull-off Build endurance: 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds
This builds finger independence and endurance. Start slow, focus on even volume for each note.
A minor pentatonic legato run:
e|---5h8p5---5h7p5---5h8p5---5h7p5---|
B|---------8-------8-------8-------8-|
∏ ∏ ∏ ∏
Four-note groupings, one pick per groupCommon Mistakes & Fixes
Weak Hammer-Ons
Hammering too softly = quiet, muted notes
Fix: Use wrist/arm motion, not just finger. Hammer with authority.
Pulling Off Straight Up
Lifting finger straight up = weak, quiet pull-off
Fix: Pull sideways (toward palm) to "pluck" the string as you release.
Uneven Volume
Picked notes loud, legato notes quiet = choppy sound
Fix: Practice slowly, focus on making legato notes as loud as picked notes.
Video Resources
• Start slow (60 BPM) and focus on even volume across all notes
• Use a metronome and gradually increase speed
• Practice with distortion to hear clarity issues
• Study Allan Holdsworth, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai for legato mastery