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The pull-off guitar playing technique is similar to the hammer on technique in that it is used to create legato and sometimes very fast passages. You will still pick the first note of the phrase, but the rest of the notes will be sounded by pulling your finger down (towards the floor) as if you were plucking the string with the fingers on your fretting hand.

Pull Off Example

To do this exercise you need to fret both notes first before you pick the first note. Here is what you do. Place your index finger on the 5th fret on the first string. Make sure it stays there while your 3rd finger frets the 7th fret on the first string. Are they both down? Good. Then pick the first string with your guitar pick (right hand). While the note is sounding, pull your 3rd finger straight down to the floor but make sure your index finger stays firmly on the 5th fret. Did it work? Try it again.

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Pull Off With Open String

Sometimes its difficult for beginning guitar students to execute the pull off exercise shown above. This next exercise uses an open string for the 2nd note, so you can concentrate on executing a clean pull-off. Make sure you use your 3rd finger to fret the note on the 3rd fret. Its the same technique for the finger that does the pulling: pull straight down to the floor. Experiment with how much force you need to pull with. You should do the exercise several times in a row, but stop immediately if you experience any soreness or discomfort.

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If you read the lesson on hammer ons then you probably have a good idea what to do: try pulling off using different finger combinations, try a different string, try different locations on the finger board. The blues guitar licks lesson features riff that incorporate the pull off technique.

Terrifying Technique for Guitar By Carl Culpepper. Guitar Book. Softcover with CD. With notes and tablature. Size 9×12 inches. 64 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. (695034)
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Ultimate Guitar Technique The Complete Guide. Musicians Institute Press (Instruction taken from the curriculum of MI). Softcover with CD. With notes and tablature. Size 9×12 inches. 120 pages. Published by Musicians Institute Press. (695863)
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Blues/Rock Soloing for Guitar (A Guide to the Essential Scales, Licks and Soloing Techniques) Taught by Robert Calva. Instructional book and accompaniment CD for guitar. With instructional text, guitar tablature and standard notation. Series: Hal Leonard Musicians Institute Press. 48 pages. Published by Musicians Institute Press. (HL.695680)
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Technique Exercises for Guitar Lessons and Licks for Improving Your Speed, Power and Clarity. Musicians Institute Press (Instruction taken from the curriculum of MI). Softcover with CD. Size 9×12 inches. 40 pages. Published by Musicians Institute Press. (695913)
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