| In this article I'll explain how to make your | | | | thumb sound the harmonic you want. It takes |
| guitar squeal with Pinch Harmonics. | | | | a bit of trial and error to find the right |
| | | | areas above the pickups that sound the |
| A lot of guitarists have trouble learning | | | | harmonics you want, but only a little.The |
| how to do these, but it's really a simple | | | | best way to learn the placement is to crank |
| technique.I'm going to touch on all types of | | | | up your distortion (easier to sound them), |
| harmonics in an effort to explain how Pinch | | | | and on put your fret hand on the Low E or A |
| Harmonics work when your playing the | | | | String on the 5th or 7th fret as if you were |
| guitar.If your like me you like to add a | | | | playing A note or D note.Start with your pick |
| little expression when playing your guitar, | | | | in about the middle of the Neck and Bridge |
| by adding some harmonics and pinch harmonics. | | | | pickups and "Pinch" the string so that when |
| | | | your pick sounds it your thumb immediately |
| To get this started we're going to go into a | | | | touches the string. This should sound a |
| little detail about how the guitar strings | | | | Pinch Harmonic. The motion is similar to |
| actually work. Now I'm not going to be all | | | | turning the ignition in a car, just not as |
| technical, as that's not who I am | | | | drastic...it's a slight "Turn" or "Pinch" on |
| :o)Basically the guitar string vibrates | | | | the string.You may have to move your hand |
| between the nut and the bridge. If you look | | | | slightly higher or lower on the string to |
| closely you can see the string vibrating like | | | | find the "sweet spots". Keep trying |
| a sine wave.Natural harmonics happen at the | | | | different areas until you get it just |
| spaces along the string where the "wave" | | | | right.Once you've found the spots that give |
| stops and starts a new one. (Not technically | | | | the sounds you want, make a mental note of |
| correct but makes sense to me this way).This | | | | where they are. When you move your fret hand |
| normally happens just above the 5th fret, the | | | | higher or lower on the neck...the places you |
| 7th fret, and the 12th fret wires. If you | | | | can hit the harmonics will move slightly. |
| take a minute in a well lit room you can see | | | | This falls in line with the way a Tap |
| the spots where the vibration along the | | | | Harmonic works, so keep that in mind.Keep |
| string actually seems to be stopped. When | | | | practicing finding the "Sweet Spot" until you |
| you lightly touch a ringing string on these | | | | can do it each time you try. This part does |
| points you will get a natural harmonic chime. | | | | take a little time and practice.Just as a |
| | | | note: When you change to a different guitar, |
| Tap harmonics are simply fretting a string | | | | be prepared to relearn where the Pinch |
| and moving the natural harmonic spot up | | | | Harmonics sound. Every guitar I've played on |
| accordingly. For example: If you fret the | | | | has them in slightly different places. |
| Low E String at the 3rd fret and pluck the | | | | Differences in neck length, bridge placement, |
| string, your "natural harmonics" would no | | | | manufacturing tolerances all come into |
| longer be at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets. | | | | play.So, that's all there is to it...Keep |
| You would Tap the string above the 8th, 10th, | | | | practicing till you get the feel for it, try |
| and 15th fret wire to sound the harmonic. | | | | adding bends and sound another one, you'll |
| Hence the name....Tap Harmonic.Now..to the | | | | make that guitar scream like a wounded |
| meat of this...the all powerful Pinch | | | | banshee in no time.If you want to really |
| Harmonic!! I say all powerful just because I | | | | increase your skill with Pinch harmonics |
| love the extra expression and sound you can | | | | after you get the feel for them, try |
| get from them.To do a Pinch Harmonic you | | | | practicing them with a clean sound. They can |
| basically "Pinch" the string between your | | | | still be sounded and your accuracy will |
| Pick and the side of your thumb that's | | | | increase exponentially!!Todd has been playing |
| holding the pick.This is the way I do them | | | | guitar for over 20 years and has played with |
| and have had excellent luck with this | | | | several bands over the years. Todd plays |
| technique. | | | | guitar with a local band called Disobedience. |
| | | | You can find more tutorials and lessons on |
| When you strike the string you let your | | | | how to learn to play guitar at his website. |