How to Read Guitar Tabs with Hammer-Ons

Guitar tabs are the Rosetta Stone of many aspiring guitarists, especially when it comes to metal subgenres. They’re the go-to method for learning songs without having to dive deep into the complexities of sheet music. But when it comes to techniques like hammer-ons, some players find themselves scratching their heads. Let’s break down how to read these tabs and understand hammer-ons, so you can add this technique to your toolkit and bring more life to your playing.

What Are Guitar Tabs Anyway?

If you’re new to the guitar world, you might be wondering what guitar tabs even are. Simply put, tabs are a simplified form of musical notation that shows you where to place your fingers on the fretboard. Each line in a tab represents a string, with the lowest line being the thickest string (the low E) and the top line being the thinnest string (the high E).

Numbers on these lines indicate the fret you should press down. For instance, a ‘5’ on the second line from the top (the B string) means you press the fifth fret on that string. It’s straightforward, but things get spicy when you start adding in techniques like hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and bends.

The Hammer-On: What It Is and How It Works

The hammer-on is a technique that adds smoothness and speed to your playing. It’s a way to sound a note without picking it. Instead, you “hammer” a finger onto the fretboard to sound the note. This is perfect for creating legato phrases, which are all about smooth transitions between notes.

Let’s say you’re playing on the G string and want to move from the fifth fret to the seventh fret. You’d pick the note on the fifth fret, and then, without picking again, you’d press down (or “hammer”) your finger onto the seventh fret. The result is a fluid transition that sounds as if both notes were picked.

Decoding Hammer-Ons in Tabs

Now, let’s see how hammer-ons are represented in tabs. In most guitar tabs, a hammer-on will be denoted by an ‘h’ between two numbers. For instance, ‘5h7’ on a tab means you pick the fifth fret and hammer onto the seventh fret.

This notation helpfully shows you exactly where the hammer-on should occur, making it easy to incorporate into your play. You’ll often find these in fast-paced metal riffs and solos, where the need for speed and fluidity is paramount.

The Role of Hammer-Ons in Metal Guitar Playing

Metal music is fast, aggressive, and often quite technical. Hammer-ons fit perfectly because they allow for rapid note changes without the need to pick every note. This can be crucial when you’re trying to keep up with the breakneck speed of thrash or the intricate melodies of progressive metal.

In genres like djent, where rhythm and precision are crucial, hammer-ons help maintain the chugging, percussive vibe while adding melodic complexity. They let you transition smoothly between notes without losing the rhythmic drive.

Practicing Hammer-Ons: Step-by-Step

Getting the hang of hammer-ons takes practice, but here’s a simple step-by-step to get you started:

• Start Slow: Begin with a simple exercise, like moving from the fifth to the seventh fret on the high E string. Use a metronome to keep a slow, steady pace.
• Pick Once: Pick the first note (fifth fret), and then hammer onto the second note (seventh fret) without picking again.
• Focus on Accuracy: Make sure your hammer-on is clean and the second note rings out clearly.
• Gradually Increase Speed: As you become more comfortable, slowly increase the speed. Make sure each note is still clear and distinct.
• Practice Across Strings: Once you’re comfortable, practice hammer-ons across different strings and in various positions on the fretboard.

Remember, consistency is key, and it’s better to play slowly and accurately than fast and sloppy.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Many players struggle with hammer-ons at first, especially when it comes to making the second note sound as loud as the first. A couple of things can help:

• Finger Strength: Work on building finger strength and dexterity. Simple finger exercises can help. You can even practice just the motion of the hammer-on without picking to build muscle memory.
• Proper Setup: Ensure your guitar is set up correctly. If your action (the height of the strings above the fretboard) is too high, it can make hammer-ons more difficult.
• Use of Effects: While it’s important to be able to perform hammer-ons cleanly, using effects like distortion can help make hammer-ons more audible. Many metal guitarists use this to their advantage.

Incorporating Hammer-Ons Into Your Playing

Once you’ve got the hang of hammer-ons, it’s time to incorporate them into your playing. Try adding them to your warm-up routines or practice scales using hammer-ons for every other note. This not only helps you practice the technique but also builds speed and fluidity in your playing.

Metal songs often rely on this technique. For example, try learning solos from guitarists known for their legato playing. You’ll likely find hammer-ons used extensively. By learning these solos, you’ll pick up nuances and tricks that you can apply to your own playing.

How Riffhard Can Help

At Riffhard, we have lessons from some of the world’s top metal guitarists who specialize in these techniques. With video lessons and downloadable tabs, you can see exactly how the pros use hammer-ons to enhance their playing. Our interactive player lets you slow down and loop tricky sections, so you can master hammer-ons at your own pace.

Hammer-Ons in Songwriting

Hammer-ons aren’t just for soloing; they’re a great songwriting tool as well. They can add articulation and dynamics to your riffs, making them more interesting and varied. Try writing a riff using only hammer-ons and pull-offs to create a smooth, flowing line that contrasts with heavier, picked parts.

Experimenting with hammer-ons in different keys and positions can inspire new musical ideas. Sometimes a simple change in technique can open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Advanced Hammer-On Techniques

Once you have the basics down, you can explore advanced techniques like combining hammer-ons with pull-offs to create trills or incorporating them into complex tapping or sweep picking passages. These techniques can add a whole new dimension to your playing and are often used by advanced players to create intricate, fast passages.

Check out lessons at Riffhard for in-depth tutorials on advanced metal guitar techniques. With instructors like Dave Davidson and Zakk Wylde, you can learn from the best in the business.

Final Thoughts

Hammer-ons are an essential part of any guitarist’s toolkit, especially if you’re delving into metal’s fast-paced and technical territories. They add speed and fluidity to your playing and can take your solos and riffs to the next level. For more in-depth lessons and to learn directly from some of the top metal guitarists, you can check out what we offer at Riffhard. You’ll find a wealth of resources to help you master not just hammer-ons but a wide range of guitar techniques.