Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?

Subject: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Margo
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 03:20 PM

I have recently been advised to pull off the string by plucking the string as close to the nail as possible and pulling down, always down. I have been "pushing" my finger up when I found it difficult to pull down.

I can actually see an advantage to going downward. I have also been advised to keep my fretting fingers more curved (kind of like piano position) in order to fret with better accuracy and agility. Pulling down lets the finger do the job with a smaller range of motion and return to a ready position.

Do any of you go both ways too?

Margo

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 03:28 PM

I'll have to think about this next time I'm playing...

I think I might go both ways...

(Don't let the pony-tail fool ya!)

;-)

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: radriano
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 04:24 PM

The "rules" of music are broken all the time. Use it if it works, I say. Though it might depend on what the next note is. Is it easier to hit the next note if you're "pulling off" up or down?

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 04:28 PM

I always pull-off downward -- that is, with the left-hand finger placed on the string and then moving off it toward the floor. Never tried doing it upward!

A

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: dwditty
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 04:36 PM

Usually down, but there is one pull off in my version of Mack the Knife that I push up. Have tothink about others.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Peter T.
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 04:40 PM

PM Rick Fielding, he is obsessed with this kind of question -- you will make his day. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 05:28 PM

I do them in both directions depending on the song and the note characteristics. For instance if I was doing a double (or a triple) pull off, I'd pull away and upward. (Requires a well calloused fingertip.) For other things, I might use a downward and away motion. Executing good pull offs is a real finesse thing to get them clean sounding, and requires a fair amount of practise. Not something you're going to get the hang of in a day.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 05:30 PM

And of course there's also the downward and forward motion as well. I've seen the pros execute them in all manner of direction and motion.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 05:33 PM

For dulcimers, TOWARD you.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 06:55 PM

Hi margo. truth of the matter is that when you really get the hang of it you can can do it up or down, but if I'm showing somebody how to start on it, I ask them to do it straight down towards the floor...and HARD. Really make it CLICK. This would apply to banjo guitar and mandolin. On dulcimer, I'd agree with Walking eagle and do it towards you (cause your hand is over the top of the instrument instead of the other way around)

The biggest mistake that folks make with pull-offs is lifting the finger straight up.(or even at a slight angle) What happens is that when they become faster the pull-off note just doesn't sound as strong as the others being played.

Now having said that.....when you're more experienced, sometimes a "push-off" will work better on the bass strings....but I'd nail those higher strings first "straight down".

Good advice here. Justa's right. This is a subtle thing and will take a while.

You have the right attitude Margo, you ask questions, and you really sound like you want to be a serious player. Keep pickin', you'll get there.

Peter I'm NOT obsessed.......but you can make my day anytime Margo!

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:09 PM

Pull-offs.............on guitar..................Yeah..........good advice here...............................I was thinking of something else, in which case outward is best, but I don't think Margo can benefit from that...........................

Spaw

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Amos
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:14 PM

Spawe, ya better have a little talk with Mrs 49, cuz I think she has something to tell ya -- dunno whether it would be upward or downward though... I assume you've heard of harmonic vibrations, yes?

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Scotsbard
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:25 PM

When pulling my finger off a string, it usually moves toward my palm unless going for a muted attack on the note. The sound (at least with my fat fingers) is much louder and abrupt when the string pops out from under the fingernail side of the tip, and significantly quieter and voiced when it slides out the other direction.

When bending a string, I almost always slide it towards the center of the neck. The direction of release and bend sometimes get adapted to accomodate each other, especially if the bent note is part of a legato passage.

~G~

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Justa Picker
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 07:29 PM

Just finished a little spell with the guitar and was really observing how I do pull offs, since this is something I normally don't think about. Seems that when I'm doing things on the first string I pull down and then upward and away (towards the ceiling) in one fluid motion, but when I'm doing things on the 5th or even 4th and lower strings, I push the string away and upward. Hmmm...I think afterall a while it becomes one of those things to not think too hard about once you've mastered it, or you'll lose your subconscious technique. Margo, master all this stuff you've been writing about, and then play, don't think. :-)
Best of luck in your efforts.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: MarkS
Date: 09 Aug 01 - 10:05 PM

This is like the story of the guy who had a big, lush beard and was asked if he slept with it over or under the sheets. He got so crazy he went to the barbers to be shaved. Just do not know if there is a correct way to "wham" or pull off a note. Everybody has different fingers, hands, and fretboards. Just do whatever works for you and fits into your style of play. And if you like the sound you get, great!
Mark

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: GUEST,Walking Eagle
Date: 10 Aug 01 - 01:21 PM

Spaw, doggone it! You must be feelin' a tad better. Glad to hear it.

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Willie-O
Date: 11 Aug 01 - 12:09 PM

Scares me to think about this stuff too much. Now Marion is going to come for a guitar lesson next week and ask me about it, so I better have an answer. I'm definitely on the down side here, once I figured out what the hell everyone was talking about!

W-O

Subject: RE: Pull-offs: Always down? Ever up?
From: Marion
Date: 13 Aug 01 - 02:04 AM

No Willie-O, my next question to you will be when you're going to quit your silly day job and come busking with me...

The conclusion forming here seems to be: normally down, sometimes up, never straight off. But what about when you're doing a hammer-on/pull-off combination that's essentially a trill on the lower note: aren't you just tapping the higher note, with no sideways motion?

Marion