Thanks Robin. I started out using a noter but watched so many videos on picking and strumming I got away from it. When I was young my uncle was the musical therapist at the mental institute in Pontiac, Michigan. Each visit to Florida he would bring a different instrument so we could learn to play. One year he brought a steel guitar. I played around with it but never mastered it. Playing the dulcimer with a noter reminded me of the sliding technique on that instrument. It brought back fond memories.
The use of hammer-on, pull-off and slide.
I only know how to play mountain dulcimer with a noter, which is all about the slide. :) Hammer-ons and pull-offs with a noter can also be used to give slightly different flavors to tunes.
updated by @robin-thompson: 01/29/26 03:52:27PM
>>> I have been known to use slides to cover up mistakes!
Me too, particularly when playing by ear.
If a person enjoys playing different types of music and want to "kick it up a notch" , try using the tree techniques of hammer-ons, slides and pull-offs. I whole new enjoyment scale awaits.
If you are successful with any or each of them. I would love to hear your experience. Suggestions are always invited and of course funny and interesting stories would make a great subject of conversation.
