What is Legato Guitar?
Legato playing uses hammer-ons and pull-offs combined with slides to create smooth, connected phrases where notes flow into each other without the percussive attack of picking every note.
The Legato Mindset
The key principle: pick as few notes as possible. Typically you pick only the first note on each string, then use hammer-ons and pull-offs for the remaining notes. This creates the characteristic fluid sound.
Exercise 1: Single String Legato
e|------------------------------------------| B|------------------------------------------| G|-5h7p5--7h9p7--9h12p9--12h14p12-----------| D|------------------------------------------| h = hammer-on, p = pull-off Pick only the FIRST note of each group (5, 7, 9, 12)
Exercise 2: Three-Note-Per-String Legato
A Minor Scale — legato ascending: e|----------------------------------5h7h8--| B|----------------------------5h6h8--------| G|----------------------4h5h7-------------| D|----------------5h7h9-------------------| A|----------5h7h8-------------------------| E|-5h7h8----------------------------------| Pick ONLY the first note on each string
Exercise 3: Descending Legato
e|-8p7p5----------------------------------| B|---------8p6p5--------------------------| G|-----------------7p5p4------------------| D|-----------------------9p7p5------------| A|-------------------------------8p7p5----| E|-------------------------------------8p7p5-| Pull-offs require precise finger pressure — don't just lift off
Exercise 4: Legato with Slides
e|---------------------------------------------| B|---------------------------------------------| G|-5h7s9--9p7p5--7h9s12--12p9p7----------------| D|---------------------------------------------| s = slide — connects positions without picking
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
E
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
B
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
G
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
D
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
A
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
E
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
Practice legato runs through these positions. Pick only the first note on each string.
Open in full appCommon Legato Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Uneven note volume | Hammer harder, pull-off with a slight pluck downward |
| Buzzing notes | Hammer closer to the fret wire, not on top of it |
| Rushing tempo | Use a metronome — legato often sounds faster than it is |
| String noise | Mute unused strings with available fingers and picking hand |
Next Steps
Combine legato with alternate picking for "economy of motion" playing. Apply legato to arpeggio shapes for sweep-legato hybrid techniques.