# Legato — hammer, pull, same volume

> Interactive: [`legato.html`](legato.html) · Lab: [`legato-lab.html`](legato-lab.html)

Multi-lesson path for hammer-ons, pull-offs, trills, and two-string runs. Prerequisite: basic [Alternate](alternate.md) pulse.

After lesson 8, use the [Legato lab](legato-lab.md) and [Lead · legato](drills-solo.md).

## Lesson 8 · Pentatonic box, up and back

A minor pentatonic box 1 on D, G, B and e. Up: pick the low note, hammer the high one (D 5h7, G 5h7, B 5h8, e 5h8). Down: pick the high note, pull to the low one.

## Lesson 9 · Pull-off to an open string

Pull slightly toward the floor so the string is plucked. On high e: 5p0, 3p0, 2p0; then B 3p0.

## Lesson 10 · Every finger pair

Index at fret 5 on the G string; run 1–2, 1–3, 1–4, 2–3, 2–4, 3–4 as hammer-pull cells, one pick per bar. Keep the lower finger down. Classical players call these ligados.

## Lesson 11 · Three notes per string

A natural minor, bottom three strings: E 5h7h8, A 5h7h8, D 5h7h9. One pick, two hammers — a triplet. This is the Aeolian mode — see [Modes · Aeolian](modes.md#mode-aeolian).

## Ready when

- Picked and unpicked notes are the same volume (record yourself).
- All six finger pairs at 80 bpm in sixteenths with a relaxed forearm.
- Pentatonic box up and back at 90 bpm in eighths with no extra picks.
- Three-per-string triplets even with the click.