The Hammer-on (marked as H)
A "hammer-on" refers to the technique of sounding a note without actually picking the string (with the pick or the right hand). The sound is produced by striking the string with one of the left hand fingers. In the following example, only the D note is picked, and the third finger "hammers-on" firmly to produce the sound of the E note.
The hammer-on effect is indicated by the curved line, and the "H" above the note in question. Remember that the second note (E), is not picked; the sound is produced entirely by the third finger "hammering-on" to the string. You must be very careful with the timing of the hammer-on. Both the D and E notes are eighth notes and each should have an equal time value when played (regardless of the hammer-on technique).
This example uses the hammer-on technique.
Vibrato () is added to some notes in the following two examples. This technique involves moving the string rapidly back and forth in the direction of the adjacent strings immediately after the note has sounded. Listen carefully to the recording.
The following example introduces a hammer-on from an open string. The next two examples also introduce sixteenth notes, a total of 4 notes per beat.
For more Blues bass licks incorporating Hammer Ons see Progressive Blues Bass licks.
