Lesson 45 Video

You must have the Adobe Flash Player installed to view this player.

Lesson 45

Lesson 45 - Pull Off

Pull Off

 

Lesson Goals:

♦ Learn proper technique for a "pull off"
♦ Identify the technique that is the direct opposite of a pull off
♦ Perform multiple pull off's at various neck locations

A "pull off" is the exact and direct opposite of a "hammer on" that we covered in Lesson 39.

Whereas a hammer technique involves picking an original note and "hammering on" a higher note on the same string without picking a second time - a "pull off" involves picking an original note and "pulling off" that note to a lower note on the same string without picking a second time.

"Pull Off's" and "Hammer On's" are to a guitar player what screw drivers and saws are to a contractor. You will use these techniques almost every time you pick up the guitar.

Look at the TAB example below. In this example you will start on the 2nd fret of the 4th string and play that note. Then, without picking again, you pull off that note so that the open 4th string note rings clear.

Note: On TAB the small "P" above the note signifies a "pull off" just as the small "H" on a previous lesson signified a "hammer on".

45 pull off 01

Start by using your 1st finger to do the "pulling off" but then practice using other fingers as well.

In the next example we put a short exercise (ugh!) just to get the feel for doing pull off's on different strings.

45 pull off ex 01

 

BONUS: In the TAB below you can learn to do a great old blues lick. B.B. King probably plays this one a hundred times a night. It's very simple but something you may not have attempted before so let's take it step by step.

Put your 4th (pinky) finger on the 8th fret of the 1st string and your 1st finger on the 5th fret of the same string. Now pick the note (on the 8th fret) and while that note is ringing, quickly "pull off" with the pinky so that the note sounding is now the one on the 5th fret.

 

45 pull off bb 01

By the way - Can you name the two notes in this example? (see Summary for answer)

Lesson 45 Summary

A "pull off" is the exact opposite of a "hammer on" and can occur anywhere on the guitar neck in countless fingering possibilities. By nature, a pull off can only take place on the same string as the originally picked note and the original note is always a higher note than the note that the pull off resolves on.

 

(Answer: 5th fret = A, 8th fret = C)

Need Help?

Got a Question?

Lesson Help

Jam Tip!

A pull off can take place anywhere on the neck in any scale or key. Experiment by trying a pull off in other positions using different fingers. For example: you might do a pull off starting on the 5th fret of the 2nd string with your 3rd finger - keep your 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the same string and do a pull off with your 3rd finger. Then try it at other locations.