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".

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.

 

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.

 

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