Thread: Artificial harmonics [electric guitar]

I think I sawe one of them electronical harmonica things at the last state fair

so cool man

you pick the note, and the edge of your thumb barely brushes the string right after the pick. its takes some fiddling but you will get it if you keep trying. adjust how you hold your pick so the tip just barely sticks out.
if your thumb hits it too much, it will just make a 'thump' sound. if your thumb doesnt hit it you will just hear the note like normal obviously.

Originally Posted by TheCurse

you pick the note, and the edge of your thumb barely brushes the string right after the pick. its takes some fiddling but you will get it if you keep trying. adjust how you hold your pick so the tip just barely sticks out.
if your thumb hits it too much, it will just make a 'thump' sound. if your thumb doesnt hit it you will just hear the note like normal obviously.

Do you have to adjust your thumb like this every time you wanna do an A.H.? Or is this how you hold the pick while playing all the time?

thats just how i hold the pick. i suppose your making a micro adjustment to get the a.h., but im not sliding the pick in or out any, just sort of turning my hand just slightly so the edge of the thumb can brush the string with the pick.

DAMN it... Im trying to play Pantera - Cemetery Gates, and it sounds like garbage if you dont get those harmonics right...

it has alot to do with how the tone on your guitar is set/ pick up position, shit like that

Originally Posted by MyK

it has alot to do with how the tone on your guitar is set/ pick up position, shit like that

yeah i realize theres only certain places that you can do an A.H. I think the closer to the neck, the easier it is to do.

Originally Posted by ST240

yeah i realize theres only certain places that you can do an A.H. I think the closer to the neck, the easier it is to do.

hows your action?

Different types of harmonics man, for a 'pinch' harmnonic choke up on the pick and give it angle when you strike the string. In this manner you are almost hitting with your finger and your pick at the same time.

Originally Posted by TheCurse

just sort of turning my hand just slightly so the edge of the thumb can brush the string with the pick.

Yep, you just add some flesh into it. Instead of a downward stroke add some angle to it while pulling the pick back a tad, thats it. No serious re-adjustments neccessary. I also pull the string up with my left (fretting) hand.

Speaking of DIMEBAG, check him out in 1984 at 16 years of age.

http://www.youtube.com/v/KMhE_fzn-BM

Originally Posted by Mudge

Yep, you just add some flesh into it. Instead of a downward stroke add some angle to it while pulling the pick back a tad, thats it. No serious re-adjustments neccessary. I also pull the string up with my left (fretting) hand.
Speaking of DIMEBAG, check him out in 1984 at 16 years of age.

http://www.youtube.com/v/KMhE_fzn-BM

Ohhhhhh yeah i saw my buddy doing this. Practice makes perfect i guess.

Originally Posted by TheCurse

you pick the note, and the edge of your thumb barely brushes the string right after the pick. its takes some fiddling but you will get it if you keep trying. adjust how you hold your pick so the tip just barely sticks out.
if your thumb hits it too much, it will just make a 'thump' sound. if your thumb doesnt hit it you will just hear the note like normal obviously.

Exactly. I have always held my guitar pick in this manner. I discovered the harmonic upon accident while playing, and now (like most guitar techniques) it has become second nature.

Originally Posted by MyK

hows your action?

My action? Well i broke up with my g/f about two months ago and i've been dry since.

Seriously tho whats action?

Originally Posted by ST240

My action? Well i broke up with my g/f about two months ago and i've been dry since.

Seriously tho whats action?

It is how high or low your strings are set above the neck and base of the guitar.

Originally Posted by themamasan

It is how high or low your strings are set above the neck and base of the guitar.

I have no idea... The thing prolly needs a tune up. I just got it outta the box and started wailin on it. I didn't adjust anything.