Hammer ons and Sytem of A Down

[Leftybass12]

So I've been interested in playing some System of a Down songs on my bass, but I have one problem. I've noticed that they use very quick hammer ons and sometimes pull offs. If anyone plays some System songs then you should know that I mean. So anyway, my question is: How do you hammer on very quickly on those giant bass strings?? Just practice, practice, practice, or is there some different way??

[WhiteKnuckles]

Well, just keep in mind that you don't have to fret any harder than you need to make the note. I used to try and drive the strings into the fretboard...and wasted energy and thus speed in the process.

Try playing with a lighter touch, but if you're still having difficulty, think about having your bass set up for lower action.

[DudeistMonk]

Check your action, if your strings are too high off the fretboard it will be harder.

You don't need to hit it very hard, try turning up your volume and playing softer.

Also if your hamming right your distributing the effort between 2 of your fingers like if you where going to hammer 5 - h7 you would already be pressing down on the 5th fret when you hammer the 7th fret and the string should only be millimeters above the fretboard.

Start with your index and ring finger(I find these to be the easiest) and start on the higher strings on higher frets and just hammer/pull, hammer/pull... over and over until its easy, then change strings/move to the first few frets where it is more difficult....then start working out the other fingers.

[EADG mx]

Also make sure you're fretting directly behind the fret, and use your ring and pinky as one digit (Simandl) if you have to

playing bass is not as difficult as some people make it to be - it's all about efficiency.