Hammer From Nowhere

I'm not sure if this is the right spot in the forum to ask this question, my apologies if it isn't.

When I hammer on to a note from "nowhere" I get barely any sound. In other words if I start a legato line with just a hammer there's no "punch" and the rest of the line deteriorates. I don't seem to have the same problem if the first note is picked, any ideas why? And, yes when I hammer on, I hit the string pretty darn hard. Any advice much appreciated.......

-Steve

Me Old Guy... Need New Tricks

Hi GMC -
Thanks for putting together this website. I'm probably decades older than most of you on here. I'm 53 and have been playing guitar for
an embarrassingly long time when I consider my playing ability. My current guitars are a Taylor 810 and Fender EJ Strat. I have fun playing
but, just don't seem to progress much. I don't know what the problem is really, I do put in the time, but maybe not efficiently. I've been trying to concentrate more on technique and theory since my hope is to someday be able to "rip through the changes", but that may end up just being a dream. Between, work, my son and taking care of the house.... I can't dedicate a ton of time, but I still manage to get 1.5 hrs of dedicated time in a day. I practice with a metronome, but can seem to get past 16th notes with the metronome set to 100. I'm not really a speed freak, but there's stuff I'd like to play that's pretty fast. I'm all over the board as to what type of music I like.... gypsy jazz, straight jazz, fusion, rock,
metal. I find I have a hard time keeping things in my memory though. I'll hear a tune, while I'm listening I feel like I know where things are going, as soon as I'm on my own, can't remember a damn thing. Well that's my story. Thanks again Chris and Crew for putting this place together.

-Steve