Rock Rhythm 09 - Hammer Ons Riff

Hammer ons and flick offs enable us to a play faster sequence of notes MUCH easier than picking everything. They also give a smooth sound to the playing and can be known as ‘legato’ playing, which is Italian for ‘tied together’.

This triplet groove technique can be heard in the final riff on Knights of Cydonia by Muse, as well as the final solo of I Believe In A Thing Called Love by The Darkness among many others. Combining triplets (three notes in the time of one beat) with hammer ons and flicks is the one technique that transformed my rhythm playing more than anything. It enabled me to play much more complex riffs that I could before I learned this technique, give it a go!

Triplets Riff using Hammer Ons and Flick Offs (aka Pull Offs)

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