What does hammer off mean in guitar terms?

Hammer-on is a technique in guitar playing where you pluck a note with your picking hand, then use the fingers of your fretting hand to tap or hammer other notes on the same string without plucking them. This creates a legato effect, where the notes sound connected.

The term "hammer off" is used to describe the opposite technique, where you start by fretting a note, then use your fretting hand to quickly lift off your finger and let the string ring open, creating a staccato effect.

Both hammer-ons and hammer-offs are common techniques used in guitar playing, and can be used to create a variety of sounds and effects.