If you have experimented with playing natural harmonics technique, you may have discovered that the 12th fret harmonic, which divides the string in half, results in a note an octave higher than the open string. The 5th fret harmonic is 1/4 of the string length, which results in a sound that is 2 octaves higher than the open string and the 7th fret harmonic (1/3 the string length) is a perfect 5th above the open string note. It’s good to understand how harmonics work and as you continue to work with them, you will discover other relationships that are useful – but if you are just beginning, it’s fine to simply learn the technique, have fun with it and expand as you like.
After playing with natural harmonics for a while, you may want to expand the number of notes you can use. Artificial or pinch harmonics will allow you to create harmonics from any note and, if you are an electric guitar player, to scream like your favorite players. You can even integrate harmonics into chords or use them to play melodies or harp-like arpeggios.
Artificial or Pinch Harmonics
Before you begin to explore the range of possibilities available to you through playing artificial harmonics, be sure you are comfortable with producing a natural harmonic (Harmonics, Part 1). The technique is basically the same for both, but in order to play artificial harmonics, you will need to do with one hand what you were doing with two, so you will want to practice them in order.
You can use a thumb pick, a flat pick or fingerstyle for this technique. If you use either a thumb pick or fingerstyle (employing your thumb to strike the string), you can use a finger (usually the index finger or the ring finger) to touch the string over the fret. (To learn this from the masters, watch Chet Atkins or Lenny Breau.) If you use a flat pick, you may want to switch the pick grip to your middle finger while you are playing the harmonics.
If you are playing an electric guitar, you can hold the pick the way you usually do (between your index finger and thumb) and when you strike the string with your pick, finish the motion by stopping the vibration of the string with the side of the tip of your thumb. Practice until you get the feel!
Once you are able to get the sound of a natural harmonic without using your left hand, you are ready to create harmonics from fretted notes. Start with a C (first fret) on the second string. Instead of playing your harmonic at the 12th fret, you will now move up one fret to the 13th. If you go to the second fret of the same string (C#), you will need to move up to the 14th fret to create the harmonic. Practice this way up and down the string, then try it on other strings.
When you are comfortable with starting on the 12th fret, try starting from different locations of natural harmonics, keeping in mind that whatever number fret you are on with your left hand (or fretting hand) is the number of frets above the location of the natural harmonic that you will need to touch. For example, if you want to work with the natural harmonic on the 5th fret of the second string and you press on the first fret with your left hand, you will touch over the 6th fret with your right. Just keep your hands equidistant from one another.
If you want to practice pinch harmonics on your electric guitar, be sure to add distortion and to play out of your bridge pickup. You will be able to get high harmonics more easily on an electric guitar than on an acoustic, but you will need to experiment with finding the best spot to strike the string with your right hand in order to get the sound you are looking for.
Enjoy getting new sounds from your guitar!