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Artificial harmonics [electric guitar]

Skate67

...And justice for all.
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For those of you who play electric guitar, how the fuck do you do an artifical harmonic :yell: I cant get it down. I get the idea but i need a good explanation of how to hold the pick or a picture of it.
 
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.
 
TheCurse said:
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
 
MyK said:
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.
 
ST240 said:
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.
 
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TheCurse said:
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
 
Mudge said:
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.
 
TheCurse said:
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.
 
MyK said:
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?
 
ST240 said:
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.
 
themamasan said:
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.
 
ST240 said:
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.

I wouldn't worry too much about the action if you're just started playing. Follow TheCurse's advice and just practice. For me, the position of your fingers on the pick is a big help.
 
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