Looking for some advice on technique

[Sub1 Zero]

This seems to be the best place to ask this question... I have a question about pull-offs. How do you make all of the notes in a group of notes in a pull-off sequence sound consistent? I am having trouble with this kind of motion, such as;

v12-15-14-12-15-14-12-15-14-12 (v means the note is picked)

and so on... My problem is, it isn't the motion, it's that the notes sound like they are gasping for air, much quieter than the first note, which is picked, and don't have good tone. Can any of you guys tell me what I can do to correct this problem? Thanks!

-Paul

 

[Roubster]

Based on what you said, your technical problem seems to be legato. You have to practice it a lot in order for every hammer and pull off to be consistent. You can practice this by fretting ANY fret, for example on the High E sttring 5th fret, and hammer the with ring finger the 6th fret and pull off for like half a minute. Do this with every finger on its own to strengthen the fingers and you'll be better at the hammer and pull offs. You can than practice any sequence of hammers and pull offs, and of course it gets harder to do that on the thicker strings (A or Low E strings)

5h6p5h6p5h6
1.2.1.2.1.2

5h7p5p7p5h7
1.3.1.3.1.3

5h8p5h8p5h8
1.4.1.4.1.4

h-Hammer On
p-Pull Off
1-index finger
2-ring middle finger
etc....

 

[Sub1 Zero]

Looks like you put a lot of time into that post, thanks man. I hope I am not the only guy who screws this up lol

 

[Roubster]

Dont think of it as screwing up man. It's just a matter of practice and repetition. It's a good thing that you know that something is wrong and that you have to work on something. That's the way it works. I still suck at theory for example and I cant sweep pick for sh*t, and my timing is usually off....hahaha, and I STILL get tired after a longer legato run. M.......U.........S........T........................P........R.......A.........C.........T.......I...C....E.................M.......ooooooooooooo........rrrrrr.............E!!!!!!! hehehe

 

[Astrofreq]

Yeah man. Hang in there and just take it slow until each note sounds good. Don't worry about speed until the notes are clear. The cool thing is you can do this stuff while watching TV, not even plugged in. I do most of my "practicing" of this sort while watching something from Netflix. It's almost a routine for me to grab a guitar while watching a movie and just run over scales, patterns, anything. Netflix has done more for my playing than any teacher. Not really, but you get the idea.

 

[puppyonacid]

When pulling off, if my students have trouble with this technique I point out that if you flick your finger downwards, almost like you're plucking the string, the note behind will be nice and loud.

For example, the pattern you suggested:

12 - H14 - H15 then, 15po - 14po -12........if you just bring your finger upwards in the opposite motion to the hammer-on the note may sound weak. When hammering on you can slam your finger on to the string and the note will be quite strong. But, unless you have a really low action with really light strings, the opposite might not work as well. Hold the note at the 15th fret with your pinky, and behind hold the note at the 12th with your index. Don't pick the string. Instead just flick down with your pinky almost as if its plucking the string and the note at the 12th (or whatever is behind) will be nice and loud.

Hope that helps. And with practice you can get it nice and fast.

 

[robelinda2]

you guys are on the mark! I would say the same things to my students too if/when they had a similar problem.

 

[Jimothy JP7]

+1 to all posts.

Don't forget, a metronome can do wonders (as Mr. Petrucci would suggest).

 

[Sub1 Zero]

Thanks a lot to all of you, you guys are the best. I'll definately work on this. I feel like I am finally starting to come into my own on guitar, and I don't want to get a few years down the road and still be doing something wrong.

 

[jazzbo jim]

+1 on the metronome!
Also, practice with an amp using a clean sound and concentrate/focus on that balance in volume (don't noodle in front of the TV-use an amp) Start slow then crank up the bpm as you improve.
my $0.02

 

[Sub1 Zero]

When pulling off, if my students have trouble with this technique I point out that if you flick your finger downwards, almost like you're plucking the string, the note behind will be nice and loud.

For example, the pattern you suggested:

12 - H14 - H15 then, 15po - 14po -12........if you just bring your finger upwards in the opposite motion to the hammer-on the note may sound weak. When hammering on you can slam your finger on to the string and the note will be quite strong. But, unless you have a really low action with really light strings, the opposite might not work as well. Hold the note at the 15th fret with your pinky, and behind hold the note at the 12th with your index. Don't pick the string. Instead just flick down with your pinky almost as if its plucking the string and the note at the 12th (or whatever is behind) will be nice and loud.

Hope that helps. And with practice you can get it nice and fast.

I am gonna go ahead and stroke your ego, and say that this is working very well. thanks a million

 

[koogie2k]

Great responses above. My only suggestion, as I tell my guitar player in my band, practice without any effects. Just simply clean. It tells you alot....believe me. Effects will trick you into thinking you are doing better than you are. Especially distortion....I hardly ever use any effects when I practice. My 2 pennies.

 

[beej]

Good advice everyone. I'll throw my two cents in the ring as well: if you think you're doing something well, try recording it as you practice. You'll quickly hear what you're doing wrong

 

[oldmike]

Great advice guys!! As a beginner i appreciate threads like this!!

 

[slipagent]

Great advice everyone, I can't wait to start practicing these.
This type of stuff really helps me out.
Thanks