TECHNIQUE FOCUS

Hammer-ons and pull-offs

In classical guitar pieces it is common for a lot of the notes to be produced by the fretting hand with slurs ie: hammer-ons and pull-offs. It is very useful to practise these in isolation and examine your technique carefully. For hammer-ons, aim to keep the curved shape of the finger the same off the string as on the string and only use the knuckle joint to create the movement. Do not force a hammer-on but rather practise the movement slowly and accurately and try not to tense your fretting-hand forearm.