How to Improve Your Guitar Technique

Part 5: 2 note per string Hammer ons

Are you looking for maximum speed on the guitar?

Are you looking for easy examples that you can absorb and burn through quickly?

Do you want to learn guitar techniques that the pros use?

The goal of this article is to present the reader with 2 note per string hammer on and pull off examples. Notably, famous players such as Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, David Gilmour, and many many others are well known to use these type of licks. Using these licks will improve your left hand technique on guitar, as well as give you plenty of inspiration for improvisation.

Example 18

We will begin by looking at hammer ons on the E and A string. Starting on G, hammer into A, then pick the A string while fretting the 2nd fret, B, hammering into D. Repeat this 4 note figure. With time and patience, you can get melodic ideas like this very fast.

Example 19

Identical in theory to the last example, this one begins on the A string. Hammer B into C, then proceed to the next string and hammer E into G. Repeat this figure. Use a metronome to keep track of how fast you are able to play these ideas cleanly and with confidence.

Example 20

Like 19 and 20, we move now on to the D and G string. In this case, we play E to F#, move to the G string, and play A to B. Pull off to an open G, slightly moving out of 3rd position.

Example 21

In these examples we will look at 2 note per string hammer on licks. Just as before, all the melodic material is based around the G major scale, and in the 3rd position. In measure 4, watch out for the open string pull offs. In case you are looking for more useful ideas based around 2 note per string hammer ons, just reverse the lines into pull offs. Instantly double your licks!

Example 22

Now we play the B and E string, still only focusing on 2 note per string. In this case, hammer from D to E, then F# to G. Repeat this phrase in 2 measures in total, then execute clean pull offs, descending using open strings when available.