Hammer-On

Techniques

A hammer-on is a left-hand technique where you pluck a string, then quickly press ("hammer") a finger onto a higher fret on the same string to sound a second note without picking again. The motion should be quick and firm, landing the fingertip right behind the fret wire.

Hammer-ons create smooth, legato transitions between notes. They're notated in tablature with an "h" between fret numbers (e.g., 0h2 means pluck the open string, then hammer onto the 2nd fret). Combined with pull-offs, they form the basis of legato playing.

On ukulele, hammer-ons are particularly effective for embellishments — adding quick grace notes before a chord or decorating a melody. They appear in nearly every style from Hawaiian slack-key to jazz.