Left Hand Techniques
The constant bass line style can be enhanced by incorporating into the style various left hand techniques. The most common left hand techniques are the hammer-on, pull-off, slide, bend and vibrato.
The Hammer-On
The hammer-on produces a note artificially by hammering a finger of the left hand onto a string. The impact of the string against the fretboard will cause the string to sound the note of the hammered fret.
The following example features a hammer-on. The second finger of the left hand is used to hammer onto the second fret of the third string. A hammer-on is indicated by a curved line and the symbol H.
The Pull-Off
The pull-off is another popular left hand technique which can be applied to a fingerpicking style. The pull-off produces a note artificially with the left hand. This time a left hand finger is pulled away from the string after fretting the note. If played correctly, the action of the finger leaving the string will cause the string to sound.
The following example features a pull-off. The third finger of the left hand is used to pull-off from the third fret to the first fret of the second string. A pull-off is indicated by a curved line and the symbol P.
The Triplet Rhythm
Almost all blues is played to a triplet rhythm. This rhythm is created by playing three evenly spaced notes per beat (a total of twelve notes per bar). The first of each three notes is played slightly stronger or louder than the other two notes within a beat. The rhythm is counted 1 and ah 2 and ah 3 and ah 4 and ah, written as 1 + a, 2 + a, 3 + a, 4 + a.
The triplet rhythm is used in the following lick. Listen carefully to the recording to hear the correct timing and feel for this rhythm.
It is also common to miss the middle note within a triplet group. The next example uses a rhythm counted as "1 ... ah, 2 ... ah, 3 ... ah, 4 ... ah". Once again, listen carefully to the recording to help with the timing of this rhythm.
The Slide
This technique involves sliding between two notes on the same string while still fretting the string firmly against the fretboard. If played correctly the sound of the second note is produced artificially. The second note is not played with the right hand.
The following example features a slide. The third finger of the left hand is used to slide between the third and fifth frets of the second string. A slide is indicated by a straight line and the symbol S.
The Bend
The bend is achieved by bending a string with the left hand in the direction of the adjacent strings, causing the note to rise in pitch. This is done with the left hand finger which is fretting the note.
This technique is demonstrated in the following example. Here, the note on the third fret of the 2nd string is bent with the third finger of the left hand. In order to bend the note successfully, bend the string with the help of the second finger as well. This can be seen in the accompanying photograph. The symbol B and a curved line indicate a bend. The bracketed fret number indicates the correct pitch the note is to bent.
The Release Bend
The release bend is played by first bending the note indicated with the left hand, plucking the string while bent, then returning the string to its normal position. If played correctly the release bend creates a drop in pitch from a higher note to a lower note.
A release bend is used in the next example. Bend the note on the 2nd string, third fret with the third finger of the left hand. Pick the 2nd string with the right hand while the string is bent. Immediately after striking the string and still maintaining pressure on the note against the fretboard release the string carefully to its normal position. The release bend is indicated by a curved line and the symbol R.
Note: for music readers, when two eighth notes are notated together these notes are played as the 1st and 3rd parts of a triplet, indicated by the symbol 6 = z above the music. This rhythm will apply to almost all the examples, licks and solos that follow in this book.
Vibrato
Another popular guitar technique used frequently throughout all forms of Blues guitar is the vibrato. The vibrato is another technique controlled with the left hand finger which is fretting the note. This technique involves moving the string rapidly back and forth in the direction of the adjacent strings as the left hand finger is fretting the note.
Vibrato is applied to some of the notes in the following example. Listen carefully to the online audio example to hear the correct effect of this technique. Vibrato is indicated by a wavy line above the note.
Now a complete 12 Bar Blues progression using a variety of techniques.
