Legato Playing

Ever wondered what is responsible for smooth fluid sounds produced by guitar players such as Malmsteen or Satriani? Legato is the alternative to the hard, defined sound of playing with a pick and is usually made a series of hammer-on and pull-off.

Basically, a hammer-on is performed using the left hand by simply bringing down a finger with sufficient force onto the string to sound the note. A pull-off is performed when a fretted finger pulls away from the string and in the process plucks the string to sound the note.

Do you know that it is possible to totally replace playing with a pick by applying only legato techniques (hammer-on and pull-off)? Take a look at this video.

Scary huh? Wouldn’t you not believe this video until you see it with you own eyes? This is legato playing at its very best (at least that’s what I believe). Ok, let’s move on with the lesson now and get those fingers moving.

Legato Exercise 1

One of the main problems that I have seen people struggling with legato technique is the lack of strength in fingers and the “fusing” of fingers together while doing pull offs. I came up with this highly effective exercise for your fingers to gain strength and independency.

We are going to use the 1st string for this exercise. Adopt a classical hand position by resting your thumb at the middle of the guitar neck. Position your left hand such that the index finger is above the 5th fret, the middle finger is above the 6th fret, the ring finger above the 7th fret and the pinky above the 8th fret. You can only use each different finger on the corresponding frets. NO CHEATING. Pick only the 1st note of every bar before hammering on and pulling off. Make sure you are playing to a metronome to stay in time!

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To give an example, let’s take a look at Bar 1.

1 ) Place index finger on 5th fret and pick the note.

2 ) Without lifting your index finger, hammer-on the 6th fret with index finger.

3 ) Without lifting your index finger, pull-off the 6th fret with index finger.

4 ) Repeat 2 & 3.

Steps 2 & 3 are done purely with the left hand only and this exercise will give all your fretting fingers a nice workout.

The next exercise is would focus more on getting your fingers to be more independent and improve coordination.

Play this exercise up and down the fretboard (Yeah.... Get a feel of legato playing on the thicker strings)

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Legato Exercise 3

The 3rd exercise is in the G major key and focuses on stretching the left hand for legato playing as well as keeping the left hand in constant movement across the fretboard.

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The exercises covered here is by far the MOST effective legato exercise to drill your left hand. Nothing else comes close. Don’t believe me? After you are able to do these exercises with ease, you’ll immediately improve on your left hand playing significantly. Go try playing “licks” in legato lessons from other sources or even attempt solos that you used to find difficult and SEE the results for yourself.

See you at the next lesson.