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Advanced dobro lesson

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs on Dobro

In this lesson Mark explains hammer-ons and pull-offs with the bar and why they're essential for fast solos. He shows how to pull straight back rather than up for more attack, then teaches a fast 32nd-note hammer-on and pull-off pattern in G that he came up with based on many Jerry Douglas solos.

What you'll learn

• What a hammer-on is: pick a string, then hammer the bar on to make the sound
• What a pull-off is: hit the string and pull the bar back so it snaps
• Why you pull straight back, not up, for more attack
• A fast 32nd-note hammer-on and pull-off pattern in G across the first four strings
• How to turn the pattern around and ascend to start it again

Step by step

1. Hammer-on: pick a string, then hammer your bar on to make the sound.
2. Pull-off: hit the string, then pull the bar straight back, not up, so it snaps.
3. Pattern, first string group: on the first string, hammer on to the second fret and pull off; pull off from the first fret on the second string to open; land on the second fret of the third string.
4. Pattern, second string group: do the same on the second, third and fourth strings. Hammer on to the second string, first fret, and pull off; land on the second fret of the third string and pull off; land on the second fret of the fourth string.
5. Turn it around: hammer on and pull off going back up the strings, and begin the pattern again.

In Mark's words

“If you're trying to play fast solos, hammer ons and pull offs are absolutely essential.”

“You're pulling straight back, not up. Remember, straight back, not up.”

“When you pull it straight back, it gives it a little more of an attack to it.”

“That's a pattern that I kind of came up with based off of many Jerry Douglas solos.”

Questions

What is a hammer-on on dobro?

Mark says a hammer-on is essentially exactly what it sounds like: you pick a string, and then you hammer your bar on to make the sound.

What is a pull-off on dobro?

You hit the string and pull the bar back to make it snap. Mark says to pull straight back, not up, because it gives the note a little more attack.

Why are hammer-ons and pull-offs important on dobro?

Mark says that if you're trying to play fast solos, hammer-ons and pull-offs are absolutely essential.

What is a good hammer-on and pull-off exercise for dobro?

Mark teaches a fast 32nd-note pattern in G that he came up with based on many Jerry Douglas solos. It runs hammer-ons and pull-offs across the first, second and third strings, then the second, third and fourth strings, then turns around and ascends to start again.

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