Guitar Techniques

Legato means playing smoothly connected notes using hammer-ons and pull-offs instead of picking every note. It builds fretting-hand strength and produces a fluid, vocal sound favored by players like Joe Satriani and Allan Holdsworth.

How to do it

1. 1Pick only the first note on each string — every other note is hammered or pulled.
2. 2For a hammer-on, snap the fingertip down just behind the fret, like a small hammer strike.
3. 3For a pull-off, flick the finger slightly downward as it leaves the string to keep the note ringing.
4. 4Keep unused fingers hovering close to the fretboard to minimize motion.

Practice wisdom

• •Volume consistency is the goal: hammered notes should be as loud as picked notes.
• •Practice unplugged or with a clean tone — distortion hides weak technique.
• •Relax your thumb behind the neck; squeezing kills speed and stamina.