Exercise for pull-offs

[Annoying Twit]

When trying to play fills etc, I can up the speed by using hammer-ons OK, but have trouble with pull-offs. I loose control over the volume, and my timing goes to pot as I'm concentrating too much on the pull-off.

Are there some simple exercises anyone would recommend to help?

[mep]

I'm sure you'll get a good few comments about right hand technique and a strong wrist action for your pull-off exercises!

Seriously though I'm sure someone has some good exercises to help you on your way. Pull-offs are a usefull technique even if they aren't used as much as hammer-ons.

[Annoying Twit]

Oh no! I didn't even think of that while posting.

[Annoying Twit]

Hello? Anyone?

Oh well. I've been trying this: [url="http://www.cyberfretbass.com/techniques/hammer-ons-pull-offs/page3.php"]http://www.cyberfretbass.com/techniques/ha...-offs/page3.php[/url]

And I've also been playing major scales, one pluck per string, hammer ons on the way up, pull offs on the way down. I find the pull offs difficult for the scale. I hope this means that it's doing me good.

[Fat Rich]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='947819' date='Sep 6 2010, 11:57 PM']Hello? Anyone?

Oh well. I've been trying this: [url="http://www.cyberfretbass.com/techniques/hammer-ons-pull-offs/page3.php"]http://www.cyberfretbass.com/techniques/ha...-offs/page3.php[/url]

And I've also been playing major scales, one pluck per string, hammer ons on the way up, pull offs on the way down. I find the pull offs difficult for the scale. I hope this means that it's doing me good.[/quote]

Yup, that'll probably do it! I don't think there's any secret to it, just practice and building strength in your hands.

You could also practice trills which are just rapid hammers / pulls and focus on getting good constant volume, although you probably won't use them often in your playing.

Then maybe work on dynamics and see how more subtle pull offs and hammer ons affect the feel of your lines and make them more lyrical.

Edited September 7, 2010 by Fat Rich

[Joe Hubbard Bass]

[quote name='Annoying Twit' post='947122' date='Sep 6 2010, 12:44 PM']When trying to play fills etc, I can up the speed by using hammer-ons OK, but have trouble with pull-offs. I loose control over the volume, and my timing goes to pot as I'm concentrating too much on the pull-off.

Are there some simple exercises anyone would recommend to help?[/quote]


The root of this problem could be that you are not keeping the fingers behind the fretted note down on the fretboard. For example, if I am playing in a "one finger per fret position" from the first fret of the E-string, when you play F (1st fret) to G (3rd fret), your second finger wants to come down onto the fretboard behind the third finger( first finger stays down as well). When you play that in reverse, you would fret th G with your third finger while the first and second fingers are down on the fretboard.

Strive for evennness in dynamics between your right hand and left hand attacks. Start slow and work for consistancy.

Peace

Joe

[Dubs]

A good song to go through for this technique is Emit Remmus by the Red Hot Chili Peppers - makes it a bit more musical rather than monotonous exercises.