What is the purpose of the Hammer stroke?

[Canaan Myskowski]

From a beginner here, what is the purpose of the hammer stroke?  When ever I try to use one It makes is very hard for me to hit the note accurately, I seem to bump other strings.  I am sure I shall get better with practice.  But my question is what is the real purpose in doing this?  It does not seem to change the sound, at least to me.

[Tim Twiss]

As you may know, I am a huge fan of using the Hammer Stroke. It provides support for the index finger while executing single notes. You can hit any string variation, and play notes in rapid succession with a strong hit. It is like playing with a pick.....but not having one.

[Strumelia]

Canaan tell us how else you tend to sound those notes if not using the hammer stroke.  That'll help us to give useful responses.    :)

[Canaan Myskowski]

I am currently using the free beginner lessons here on the site under the recourses tab created by Tim.  I just use the hammer stroke where he tells you to in the tab.  It seems you use it when conducting a normal half-stroke, though not all the time.  Tim includes it in Briggs Movements No. 4and No. 5. I normally conduct a Half Strike the standard way.  I am currently using a steel strung banjo tuned to the Tuning suggested in the Rice book, so that may be affecting the sound.  It's all I have with me right now.

[Andy Chase]

When I began tinkering with this minstrel stuff about 4 years ago I started with the instructions in the front of the Briggs tutor, and confess I haven't spent much time with the others;  I didn't start using the hammer stroke until I began working on Rail Road Polka  just the other week, and asked Tim "How the heck do you play that first run of notes that cleanly?  It doesn't sound like pull-offs!"  The answer, of course,  was the hammer stroke.

So, I began working on it, and it felt really awkward and clumsy... but before long it started to feel more natural, and when it clicked I suddenly had more speed, control, and attack with my hand closed than with my default old clawhammer habit of resting my thumb on the 5th string.  

[Canaan Myskowski]

Thanks Andy, I am starting to do it over and over, and it seems to becoming a little more natural.  Tim knows best!

[Tim Twiss]

It keeps getting more useful and comfortable if you stick with it. The second edition of my book I released this year included a section on the Hammer, based upon Converse's attention to it in the 1886 Analytical. I find it spreads backwards, and really is part of it since the beginning.

[John Cohen]

As a guitarist I find I can get a little too carried away with the hammer stroke at times as it feels very natural to me.  I have to take a step back to make sure I'm comfortable playing tunes with and without it.  I'm currently debating whether I like using it in the A part of Brigg's Jig...