Left-hand slurs – free guitar course

A slur produces two notes with a single right-hand attack. The fretting hand sounds the second note: the phrasing becomes smooth, as if sung.

Ascending slur (hammer-on): the finger strikes the string, quick and precise, just behind the fret.
Descending slur (pull-off): the finger plucks the string towards the floor (or upwards) as it leaves, like a small pizzicato. The finger for the target note must already be in place.

In the score, a slur is shown as a curve between two different notes on the same string.

M:4/4
L:1/8
Q:1/4=66
K:Am clef=treble-8
(ef) (eg) (ef) (eg) | (fe) (ge) (fe) (ge) | (Bc) (Bd) (cd) (Bd) | (dc) (dB) (cB) B2 |]

Slurs in the repertoire

In Tárrega (Adelita, Lágrima), descending slurs express sighs; in Giuliani and Carcassi they lighten fast runs. In blues and rock, hammer-ons and pull-offs are the basis of legato playing.

Both notes should be equally loud: if the slurred note is weak, hammer faster (not harder) or pull the string a little more sideways.