Hammer on and pull off

mok · #1 06-19-2011, 10:45 AM

Hello,

I'm currently learning how to do the hammer on & pull off technique in bass guitar but whenever I hammer on or pull off my finger the string mutes/silences. I just wanna ask if I'm missing something?

Thanks

jordak · #2 06-19-2011, 10:56 AM

here are some ideas

-hammer on harder (like you're tapping it)
-flick the string sort of when you pull off (rather than just lifting your finger off)
-Turn up the gain or add overdrive for more sustain
-Start out in the middle of the neck (5th -10th fret zone) since string tension is lowest over there.
-If these don't help, it could be because your set up is lousy. Have a professional technician fix it up.

Hope this helps

WilliamSandoval · #3 06-19-2011, 11:04 AM

Try not to use it all the time once you learn it. Its all I do. I can't help it! It's like I'm cursed. I cannot for the life of me pluck 5 to 7 on E then 5 to 7 on A without hammering. I'm not sure if I'm plucking too slow or what.

mok · #4 06-19-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

here are some ideas

-hammer on harder (like you're tapping it)
-flick the string sort of when you pull off (rather than just lifting your finger off)
-Turn up the gain or add overdrive for more sustain
-Start out in the middle of the neck (5th -10th fret zone) since string tension is lowest over there.
-If these don't help, it could be because your set up is lousy. Have a professional technician fix it up.

Hope this helps

Thanks for your reply, sorry I'm a total beginner here... where can I find the gain or overdrive? My amp only has the volume, bass, treble, module and compression knobs...

Quote:

Try not to use it all the time once you learn it. Its all I do. I can't help it! It's like I'm cursed. I cannot for the life of me pluck 5 to 7 on E then 5 to 7 on A without hammering. I'm not sure if I'm plucking too slow or what.

Thanks I'll try to remember that.

jordak · #5 06-19-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mok

where can I find the gain or overdrive? My amp only has the volume, bass, treble, module and compression knobs...

In that case, don't worry about it. You're just getting started, take it easy and have fun.

Keep this in the far back of your mind until you get a new amp or an OD pedal.

BTW- I learned how to hammer on/pull off by playing Californication by RHCP.

WilliamSandoval · #6 06-19-2011, 07:56 PM

Try learning Ho/Po on the guitar first. Thinner strings makes it easier. and once you are great at hammering on the guitar, try the bass. Be quick about things though.

mok · #7 06-19-2011, 09:11 PM

Thanks for all your replies I'll keep them in mind. I guess I have to master plucking first.

WilliamSandoval · #8 06-19-2011, 09:30 PM

Yeah, plucking is most important. Try not to be cursed like me.

Mushroo · #9 06-19-2011, 09:36 PM

Put your right hand in your pocket (seriously) and perform a continuous series of hammer-ons/pull-offs with your left hand. This is called a "trill" and will build your left-hand technique in a hurry.

If you have a teacher (highly recommended) then work on this in your lessons. Strangers on the internet can't hear and see you playing to tell you what you're doing right/wrong.

Philonius · #10 06-19-2011, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordak

here are some ideas

-hammer on harder (like you're tapping it)
-flick the string sort of when you pull off (rather than just lifting your finger off)
-Turn up the gain or add overdrive for more sustain
-Start out in the middle of the neck (5th -10th fret zone) since string tension is lowest over there.
-If these don't help, it could be because your set up is lousy. Have a professional technician fix it up.

Hope this helps

Say What?

mok · #11 06-20-2011, 04:29 AM

I'll ask another question if you guys don't mind, I'm practicing a song right now with parts where I need to do a slide (I tried skipping on the sliding parts at first but the it sounded bad without the slides) - but whenever I do it the strings silences... Do I need to press lighter on the strings or did I miss something?

Thanks again for all of your inputs it was very helpful

Depth_Charge · #12 06-20-2011, 04:55 AM

Try holding the string harder on the slide. If the note is being deadened, you might not be pushing the string hard enough.

Again, put your right hand in your pocket and practice audibly sliding up and down a string with the left hand. Try on all four strings. If you can't get the initial note to sound with just a slide, hammer that first note then slide.

Out of curiosity what song/piece are you learning with the slides?

mok · #13 06-20-2011, 06:39 AM

Thanks I'll try that. The song is "No Such Thing" by John Mayer. I think it's better to try playing that as the bass sounds clearer and I can "check" if I'm doing it correctly.

Depth_Charge · #14 06-20-2011, 08:27 AM

I had a listen to the song on YouTube. Cool song. You will get a lot out of learning to play that song!

You do want to dig in a bit to ensure enough pressure on the neck while sliding to make the notes ring clear, especially when sliding that high on the neck.

And here's a video of me sliding on the intro of a song...for no reason except to perhaps remove any credibility I may have earned on TB

http://www.youtube.com/user/xOndrayu.../1/USPWm5--uxM

mok · #15 06-20-2011, 04:44 PM

wow you're good on playing bass - want to be like that too hehe.. thanks for the tips I'll try to do remember your tips

SLaPiNFuNK · #16 06-21-2011, 02:55 AM

The lighter the strings, the cleaner and easier hammer on / pull offs and tapping will be.

35-90's or something along those lines...

C.Linton · #17 06-21-2011, 09:21 AM

I wouldn't stress too much about it, it's one of those things that will improve with practice, just keep trying it and don't give up. A lot of it has to do with finger strength and proper positioning of your fingertips just behind the fret.

mambo4 · #18 06-21-2011, 10:00 AM

Start slow!
As with all techniques, hammer-ons/ pull offs and slides benefit from begin practiced slowly.. You want your muscles/brain to get used to the correct motion first, then slowly work the technique up to speed. Trying to play at speed right off the bat can lead to sloppy technique habits, with compromises made just to get the notes out fast enough. Establish control first, speed after.

mok · #19 06-22-2011, 04:57 PM

Thanks for your ideas! I practiced doing the slide a few days ago and got some of the technique although it's a bit slow. XD

But whenever I do the slide correctly though, the string vibrates loudly whenever I pass through each fret - is that normal or I'm just doing it wrong?

Depth_Charge · #20 06-22-2011, 08:39 PM

The vibration increases a little as the string length between finger and fret gets shorter. It's normal, inaudible when playing in a band mix, and you'll get used to it in time.

If its excessively loud, you may need to have the setup of the bass checked. The action may be too high (i.e the strings are too far from the fretboard) or too low (strings too close, perhaps even touching frets at some points of the neck).

But a little 'zing' during slides is normal, especially big/strong slides that require pressure to maintain volume.

Hope that helps.