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