Legato 101 with Ben Eller! Try THIS to improve your hammer on's and pull off's! FAQ You

Check out my newest song, "Migration 2", plus get tons of bonus lessons, downloadable TABs, and MORE over at / benellerguitars !
Instagram @BenEllerGuitars
Hey guys! Its your good buddy Uncle Ben Eller back with another installment of FAQ You, the best FAQ series on my channel GUARANTEED!
On this week's installment, we are gonna talk about the new Mastodon single. "Fallen Torches", and then get some some awesome questions my lovely Patrons asked, like:
-The best way to improve your legato playing; what are the magical secrets of hammer on's and pull off's?
-What would a Ben Eller signature guitar look like? I take my beloved Suhr Modern Satin as a base and make a couple tweaks that would become my dream machine!
-How to improve the sound of your home recordings, or why Eric Hill at Blue Room Recording Studio ([e-mail]) is your new best friend!
Got any questions you want me to answer on the next FAQ You? Let me know in the comments!

[@BenEller]

Thanks for watching the newest FAQ You! If you’ve got questions you’d like to see covered on a future episode, drop them here!

[@ryanwest942]

Been waiting for a new one! Always love them! Thanks!

[@johnsonchan5955]

Thank you so much Uncle Ben! I am currently working on legato and searching for exercises and tips! Btw, could you please teach us how to do bending with vibrato (especially in high speed) in the future?

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

How about covering alt tunings.

[@BenEller]

Stephen Adams: Musical Interpretations & Satire kzbin.info/www/bejne/bom7nWRrpcekbsk

[@GiovaniGatto]

Hey! What do you think of newer techniques like tosin's slapping or math rock-ish Instagram guitarists? Cheers!

[@JohnSpo]

hammer-ins and pull-outs

[@holasenor1318]

hammer-outs and pull-ins

[@JoeMama-dl3nh]

@@holasenor1318 no

[@JoeMama-dl3nh]

John Spo underrated comment

[@JohnSpo]

@@JoeMama-dl3nh thanks!

[@Darkaileron]

Ben hasn't shown me Why I Suck At Guitar lately, I guess I must be getting better!

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

And THAT is how you jinx yourself. Enjoy your finger cramps. ;-)

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

Double funny:)

[@jwspitz35]

If ANY KZbin shredder deserves a signature guitar, it's Uncle Ben. SOMEONE GET THIS MAN A SIG ASAP

[@Lawrence330]

Call Kurt at Rondo Music, he'll probably do a run to spec. They may not have the "clout" of some of the more household name brands, but you can get a great guitar affordably.

[@brandonringo7459]

Domo Origato Uncle Ben legato

[@Dragonfirebello]

PLS DO FALLEN TORCHES

[@DaretoExplore]

I love Ben's dry humor, humility, and focus on what he does best. Great video!

[@SpicyTrifongo]

I wish I had proof but I stared you down on screen, pointed at my PC monitor and said "timing" at exactly the same time that you did. I'm working on the guitar chops but it's nice to know we can relate on the comedic timing side of things.

[@faustohernandez3434]

Once again Uncle Ben saves the day. Thanks Uncle Ben

[@Mesatallic]

Ben, you’re FAQing awesome! 🤘😀🤘

[@johnmoser2689]

Once again another fantastic episode of uncle Ben and great rips and tips to make us play more better..... everyone all together now THANK YOU UNCLE BEN!!

[@JordanKiener]

I was literally watching this and thinking about the same question as to what you'd do with a signature model and you started into that Q&A. I hope Suhr is paying attention, I think you've earned your place on that and you had great ideas.

[@liquidfirepainting1169]

your videos have helped me out a lot!! especially when i needed to know why i was having trouble relaxing my arms while playing. Thank you so much!

[@CC-qb9sm]

Holy crap! You are sure right about repeat mode working well for Fallen Torches!

[@cornstar1253]

Slash. Amazing legato with tasteful bends

[@scratchguitar]

Awesome uncle Ben!!

[@erockomania]

Thanks Ben! 🍻

[@aramaroian5831]

My prayers have been answered! Thank you

[@boofyboy3928]

Killed it again like always 🤘

[@nomahg]

This was awesome! Thanks Ben!

[@akrmfk]

Fallen torches, yes pls, w/ a cherry on top

[@tasosboubas6356]

WE WANT FALLEN TORCHES!

[@WizardOfArc]

That drop C sludge sounds delicious

[@Trilobite8jesus]

Mastodon lessons are always a plus.

[@Jason_Grg]

Love ur lessons!!! Keep it upp

[@milochan90]

Uncle ben I discovered your channel yesterday and I already love u. Plx keep up your sense of humor ! Me like !

[@DrewT92377]

Fallen Torches lesson? Yes please. I'll gladly sign over my child I don't have for this most gracious gesture.

[@ravikant840]

I'm gonna enjoy watching this with my blue boi.

[@Vancat2]

You're the best. Thank you.

[@EddyHabits]

Perfect timing! I just started watching Rick Graham's lesson on exactly the same topic, but you offer some great tips (e.g. too slow and you'll mute the string, and imagine hammering through the fret-board). You're the first person that I've heard that's described a pull-off as a left-hand pluck. Justin guitar describes it as a flick-off, but I think a left-hand pluck is really useful way to think about it. I think it might completely change the way I practice. Thank you! (I'll check out Tom Quayle, too!)

[@mrmonsieur7583]

Dearest Bennifer, plz giev Fallen Torches lesson.

[@francisconieto154]

Fallen Torches lesson, yaaaaay!!!!!!

[@dannyspitzer1267]

Awesome channel. That is a cool guitar you have, I'm gonna have to look those up....

[@FilipPandrc]

Thanks a ton, Uncle Ben! I've been following your advice and my hemorrhoids actually improved!

[@OCT566]

Excellent instruction, and way to point out potential mistakes. Plus no goofy faces. Lol I will be watching for the next vid.

[@RebelTheUncanny1]

Thank you, Ben. Got the Covid in the household at the moment, but still keepin' my eyes on the music prize.

[@BenEller]

Oh noooooo, hope y’all are ok!

[@NickBurbeyGuitar]

Slick daddy action!

[@lanceross3633]

Thanks for this Uncle Ben,legato is the weakest part of my guitar game. I'll be working on this lesson today.

[@nickm2483]

Hey Ben, great content as usual. Really enjoy your lessons, tips and tricks. I'd recommend listening to GYZE - Asian Chaos - I've only just discovered it but I can't stop playing it at the moment.

[@link333xc]

ive been waiting so long for this day...

[@Mr1Tanker]

Geez, you're one hilarious dude!! 🤣

[@cpottervlog8122]

I've been listening to a band called IDLES lately. Highly recommend their last album Joy As An Act Of Resistance

[@oenanohir3302]

DAT INTRO RIFF

[@errflow]

The Hammerons have always been at war with the Pulloffs.

[@brandonessick775]

MASTODON!!!

[@SuperSpear2009]

Let me know when you upload the "Still of the night" Solo...If anybody can really show us how it's done it is you Mr. Ben Eller.

[@sjgfloydrose1234]

I second this Uncle Ben ... we need that NEED IT

[@noose18]

It’s a good solo, but crying in the rain is better 😱

[@tarickosman9144]

I would love to see a Mastodon lesson! Always struggling to learn their tunes.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I got my first hair cut of the year today and asked the barber to trim my beard down to the "Ben Eller". He punched me in the throat. True story. ;-)

[@ineedwafflestabernacle]

Another great way to work on legato is Chris Brook's book "Legato Guitar Technique Mastery" I got it back in January and the improvement from then and now has been night and day

[@iburry]

The point here is to improve your legato skills to the point where it completely hides your poor picking skills

[@burttheburger]

I feel so attacked 😂

[@RikJSmith]

I never thought of that before , but I guess that applies to me . 🎸

[@hexn00b52]

Lolz

[@lala-everyonescrazyaunt]

I loved the signature guitar section. I'd buy it! It would need to be available in gloss black or sparkly purple. 😌

[@sinksunk1133]

DO THE LESSON ON FALLEN TORCHES PLEASE! 😩🙏🏼

[@TheCrimsonIdol987]

Nobody ever mentions my favorite legato player, Dave Murray from Iron Maiden. :( My favorite band and legato player needs some more love, Uncle Ben!

[@SuperHorsecow]

Great Job Uncle. If you want a real challange, try doing legato with mainly hammer ons like Holdsworth.

[@samdavidson6274]

The blood and thunder guest vocal is actually done by Neil Fallon from Clutch, think it's the heaviest he has ever sounded for sure - great vocalist!

[@silverjaw138]

Team hardtail!!

[@Ejmillanv]

good timing on this video because I've been trying to learn the unison solo from dream theater's "in the name of god" and that thing a legato party and i very much suck at it

[@JustyStoky]

Hamburgers and a hotdog😂😂😂

[@largtr]

My favorite guitars have Ebony fretboards with NO inlays! That way, the folks in my band cannot tell where I am! :-)

[@privettk]

I'm curious, do you have/plan to have a lesson on legato patterns? I've got the up/down mode and six sixes down but for whatever reason when jamming I keep falling back on them. Rick Graham has some sick sequences but I've never been able to follow along with his lessons too well. I'll check out Tom Quayle too but curious if you have some favorite patterns that didn't sound so formulaic. Thanks Ben! Always learning from your videos

[@molekyyli]

Hamburgers and hotdogs? I died and it was you who killed me. 🤣

[@hammer5475]

I don’t watch these videos to improve my playing, I only do for the one liners! I’m laughing my ass off too hard to practice!

[@michaelfloyd3501]

Can you transcribe that hybrid picking solo that Brent does before Mastodon starts playing Aqua Dementia? He's done it before live, but the best example I think is the one where they play live with Scott Kelly on vocals at the tiny dive bar. They played all of the songs they wrote with Scott Kelly

[@brinepacer]

That was fun! Hey I came across an old video of yours last night where you mentioned touring with Whitechapel - I had no idea! What are some other bands people would know that you've played with?

[@jedidiahnelson7555]

Uncle Ben I need your help with the prechorus for Memento Mori by Lamb of God, just can't get the picking time right. Could you please do a video after the Fallen Torches 😅🙏🏻

[@jasiekkowalczyk6646]

cool

[@YeshuaDavidson]

when you're too sure about uncle Ben's content you kick like before even watching the video!!!

[@guitarsteve940]

how to program drums for metal ?

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

🔨 time🎸

[@DanielKraemerMusic]

I thought, Rick Graham is the best legato player ever... at least he has some kickass legato lesson videos

[@grungeadapt]

Hello. What string gauge you are using. And what is your action in mm?

[@MrTheog1989]

That Suhr looks like a James Norbert Ivanyi Special ;)

[@SouthpawSatch]

Ben can you do a finger building finger strength, specifically the ring finger? I've been trying to play some descending steve vai style legato runs and realised my ring finger is weak AF lol. I need some good exercises to improve my strength and technique

[@chrislouly7698]

DO A GUITAR COLLECTION VIDEO... pls?

[@friisson3195]

It’s true Eric at Blue Room does make stuff sound more good and better for $$ papers!

[@1peanut]

Uncle Ben, why is it that hammeron and pulloffs dont cut thu. Its like i lose a 3rd of my volume when i do hammeron, pull offs or trills. how to fix this. I am hitting them hard enough. My brother says a compressor will fix it. Please help.,

[@jera2150]

Uncle Ben, I have an old Les Paul and I get so much more string noise when playing it (like hand-slidey noise) compared to all my other guitars. I have to be way more careful to practice really precise muting and it still drive me nuts. My other guitars do not have this issue, even running into the same amp/settings. Is this a Les Paul thing in general? Or could it be something with my particular guitar? I would love your thoughts. Thanks!

[@dDarkSpade]

I woke up today thinking about my bad hammer ons. Uncle Ben, once again, saving my day.

[@1peanut]

Uncle Ben, why is it that hammeron and pulloffs dont cut thu. Its like i lose a 3rd of my volume when i do hammeron, pull offs or trills. how to fix this. I am hitting them hard enough. My brother says a compressor will fix it. Please help., 1987 RG550 with X2N and Super 3 pups.

[@ZIGSVIDS]

Ben, When you scratch your nuts is right hand alternate picking style or left hand 4 finger chromatic ?

[@m3m3sis]

I heard 'how to improve your hemorrhoids and pulloffs'. Thanks?

[@BenEller]

Hahahaha I noticed that when I was editing!!! Happy accident!

[@m3m3sis]

@@BenEller aren't we all x)

[@bestboy897]

the background song is heavy af

[@lee_at_sea]

Homage to Gene Wilder @ 5:10?

[@guitar78ish]

Could be wrong, but I think Tom Quayle attributes his legato technique to Brett Garsed.

[@fhqwhgads1670]

The most important element ... SAY IT SAY IT.....SAAAAAYYYYYYY IT!!! ....Timing.

[@comment.highlighted]

That intro makes me want to upgrade my Graphics card 🙂

[@curtadams8045]

I'd love to see Milkmans Son by Ugly Kid Joe transcribed! I've looked all over and can't find anything.

[@mikecooper8465]

Stegosaures🤘..

[@SWAMP1ZZO]

What brand is this guitar?

[@dirktoaldi7423]

Hello Ben! What size og sting set do you use?

[@BenEller]

9-42 on 25.5 scale guitars!

[@rickybella7224]

Plz for the love of god do fallen torches!

[@Scottocaster6668]

Sweet home abalamba is easy, but what throws me off timing wise is Back in black. I'm fine playing along, but playing it acapella, I'm off every time.

[@johnmarquez333]

Do I have to send in two box tops for my money back?! Not that I want my money back, though!!!

[@calebsj]

pull off up? or down?

[@mobydick8844]

What happened to the headstock hair band

[@BenEller]

It’s still there, just under the strings instead of over!

[@MrMetalhorse]

I have the shittiest legato in the solar federation

[@unclejack2093]

i'm quite sure i'm the second shittiest bro

[@dusty3913]

Assume control...and all your wildest dreams will come true.

[@MrMetalhorse]

@@dusty3913> this guy gets it

[@chrisadams5939]

Nay. It is I.

[@timothytaggart3289]

Allen Holdsworth was the master of the legato.

[@radpotatoe8281]

Now it’s Steve Vai

[@iganpparamarta8813]

Fusion guys beat rock guys for the real legato. Marshall Harrison, Brett Garsed, Tom Quayle, Daryl Gabel, Tim Miller. Unfortunately it’s not what most people’s cup of tea. I can enjoy Petrucci, Vai, and Satch’s hammer-on&pull-off better than those guy’s but that’s just my preference.

[@clust11]

Mike Oldfield

[@Jason_Grg]

Do ur palms sweat while playing for longg??

[@BenEller]

Nope! I’m a dry handed guy.

[@gnrslash1987]

have you not seen Rick Grahams legato! ooof! muted non picked lines!

[@SeanBietz]

That's my strap dang it!!!!!