legato 101
CHOOSE YOUR GOAL!
Learn Hammer-Ons - Start Here!
In the video, we will:
See how we can play notes without our picking hand
Learn the required finger motion
See the possibilities of using multiple “hammer-ons” in a row
Daily Exercise: Hammer-On Practice
Use the exercise below to practice your hammer-ons on each string!
Pick the first note of each string, then hammer on the remaining four notes using curved fingers - aiming with the tips of your fingers.
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-on notes are nearly as loud as your picked notes!
Learn Pull-Offs - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Learn what a pull-off really is
See how to execute pull-offs using our fretting hand
Demonstrate how to use multiple pull-offs in a row
Daily Exercise: Pull-Off Practice
Use the exercise below to practice your pull-offs on each string!
Pick the first note of each string, then pull off the remaining four notes using curved fingers by bringing the fingers down and away from the string, causing it to be “plucked” - instead of just picking your fingers up off the string.
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your pull-off notes are nearly as loud as your picked notes!
Learning Trills - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Learn what a trill is
See that we need to keep our first finger down at all times while doing trills
Hear what trills can sound like played at various speeds
Daily Exercise: Practicing Trills
Use the exercise below to practice your trills!
Pick the first note, then use hammer-ons and pull-offs to play the remaining notes. Avoid picking if you can. Use your hammer-on and pull-off technique to make the strings sound out instead.
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are similar in volume, and are nearly as loud as a picked note.
How To Slide - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Learn how to slide notes around on the neck
See the techniques to make a proper slide
Address problems that make sliding difficult, and how to solve them easily
Daily Exercise: Sliding Practice
Use the exercise below to practice your slides!
Pick the first note, then slide to the second note. Pick the next note, then slide to the next - follow the tab to know when exactly to slide. Make sure to press your finger into the fretboard on the way up!
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
You can slide your finger across the fretboard and not lose sound, no matter how fast or slow you travel!
Learning Legato - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
How to combine hammer-ons, pull-offs, and sliding
How to play fast without relying on our picking hand
Check out some easy shapes you can apply instantly!
Daily Exercise: Legato Licks
Tap the button down below to see some examples of legato licks you can instantly apply!
Learn these shapes slowly, and get your technique down first before trying to play them fast
Learn your favorites and see if you can string them together!
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are nearly as loud as picked notes, and you are able to keep your volume up throughout the lick without relying on your pick.
Improving Legato - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Go through a basic exercise to practice hammer-ons and pull-offs
See how we can practice it on all strings
Learn how we can use multiple fingers
Daily Exercise: Learning Basic Legato
Use the exercise below to practice your legato!
Pick the first note, then use hammer-ons and pull-offs to play the remaining notes. Avoid picking anything other than the first note of every group if you can. Use your hammer-on and pull-off technique to make the strings sound out instead.
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are nearly as loud as picked notes, and you are able to keep your volume up throughout the lick without relying on your pick.
Improving Fretting Hand Strength - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
Look at an exercise to increase fretting hand strength and coordination
See how we can play this exercise on all strings to improve strength and speed
Daily Exercise: Increase Fretting Hand Coordination
Use the exercise below to develop coordination in your left hand!
Pick the first note, then use hammer-ons and pull-offs to play the remaining notes. Avoid picking anything other than the first note of every group if you can. Use your hammer-on and pull-off technique to make the strings sound out instead.
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are nearly as loud as picked notes, and you are able to keep your volume up throughout the lick without relying on your pick.
Learn Advanced Legato - Start Here!
In this video, we will:
See an example of legato in a real-world application
See how we can take a basic shape and play it in multiple spots on the neck for easy shredding
Learn how to cover a lot of distance on the neck quickly
Daily Exercise: Advanced Legato
Use the video below to play along with the lick from the video above!
Pick the first note on each string, then use hammer-ons and pull-offs to play the remaining notes. Avoid picking anything other than the first note of every group if you can. Use your hammer-on and pull-off technique to make the strings sound out instead.
Adjust your speed as needed. Speed it up when it starts to feel easy - if it seems hard, slow it down until you can play it comfortably.
Recommended Speeds:
Beginner: 0.40x
Intermediate: 1.00x
Advanced: 1.40x
You’re Doing This Right When:
Your hammer-ons and pull-offs are nearly as loud as picked notes, and you are able to keep your volume up throughout the lick without relying on your pick.