Advanced Harmonics Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (0:58) Introduction In this lesson, Brad will expand upon the topics of harmonics. In addition to natural harmonics, there are three other types of harmonics. These include harp harmonics (sometimes referred to as artificial harmonics), pinch harmonics, and tapped harmonics. These three types of harmonics are essentially used as effects to create new tonal colors. Brad briefly demonstrates some tapped harmonics in the context of an open E chord. Chapter 2: (3:40) Harp Harmonics Playing harp harmonics involves some pretty difficult right hand techniques. Brad demonstrates a harp harmonic with the note G. Fret this note with the first finger at the 3rd fret on the high E string. Then, the harp harmonic must be plucked with the right hand. Lightly lay the first finger over the fret that is 12 frets (one octave) above the initial fretted note. This is the 15th fret. Do not actually press the string down. While lightly resting the right-hand index finger on the string, simultaneously pluck the string with the thumb in a downward direction. Finally, release the index finger from the string to sound the harmonic. It is very difficult to convey this information to a student orally or in writing. Mastering this technique requires some experimentation as well as trial and error on the student’s part. Watch Brad carefully several times as he performs this technique. Then, try to emulate the sound he is creating.

Note: Most classical players prefer to pluck the harp harmonic with the third finger rather than the thumb.

Practice this technique with a variety of different notes across the fretboard. Harp harmonics are frequently used to outline chord arpeggios. Brad demonstrates this technique with a basic open E chord. The harmonic of each note occurs twelve frets higher. Start by forming the chord with the left hand. Then use the following fret locations to produce a harp harmonic on each string.

6th string: 12th fret
5th string: 14th fret
4th string: 14th fret
3rd string: 13th fret
2nd string: 12th fret
1st string: 12th fret Chapter 3: (4:51) Tap Harmonics Rock players originally derived this technique from harp harmonics. For this reason, these two techniques are very similar.

Begin by fretting the G note again on the high E string. Now, instead of lightly laying your right-hand index finger across the 15th fret, tap the fretwire at the 15th fret to produce the harmonic. Make sure you are tapping the actual fretwire instead of the wood of the fretboard.

This technique is most often performed with high gain by rock and metal players. Also, guitarist Michael Hedges pioneered a new genre of acoustic guitar playing that exploits the tap harmonic technique.

Tap harmonics are usually applied to scalar lines. Brad demonstrates how to play the first box of the G pentatonic scale using tapped harmonics. Tapped harmonics produce a very similar tone to effects pedals that double each pitch you play one octave higher. Simply tap the harmonic of each note in the pattern twelve frets higher. Start very slowly to ensure accuracy. Then, gradually increase the speed of your metronome. Your ultimate goal is to be able to play improvised licks using this technique. Brad improvises over G minor pentatonic with tapped harmonics.

Similar to natural harmonics, tapped and harp harmonics are easier to perform on the lower, fatter strings. Spend some extra time practicing these harmonics on the treble strings.

Note: Open “Tapped Harmonics” under the “Supplemental Content” tab for the appropriate harmonic locations derived from the first box of the G minor pentatonic scale. Chapter 4: (1:19) Tap Harmonics with Chords Tap harmonics are also frequently applied to chords in the form of arpeggios.

Note: Open the “Supplemental Content” tab for a diagram detailing the harmonic locations of an open E chord.

Tap each harmonic chord tone twice before moving on to the next string. This technique is most commonly used to wind down a song in a mellow fashion. Chapter 5: (2:04) Bending Harmonics Similar to natural harmonics, tap harmonics can be combined with string bending to create fresh new sounds. This doesn’t require that you learn any new techniques. Simply perform a tapped harmonic like you normally would. Then, bend the string as you normally would with a left-hand finger.

Note: Open the “Supplemental Content” tab for an example of a lick in G minor that exemplifies this technique. Chapter 6: (3:19) Pinch Harmonics Pinch harmonics are a technique that adds a high squealing sound to a normal fretted pitch. This technique is quite common in the blues, rock, and metal genres. Guitarists Billy Gibbons and Eddie Van Halen are two undisputed masters of pinch harmonics. Listen to the solo from the ZZ Top hit “La Grange” for some great examples of how pinch harmonics can be applied to an improvised solo. It is rumored that Gibbons used the ridged edge of a quarter instead of a pick to produce the harmonic squeals in this song.

Pinch harmonics require that you make a few slight adjustments to your right hand technique. Choke up on the pick, so that only the pointy tip is extending from your thumb and first finger. When you pick the string, follow through with the thumb so that the bottom edge of the thumb makes contact with the string as you pass through it. The contact between the string and the thumb produces the harmonic sound. This technique requires a large amount of trial and error and experimentation. Listen closely to the sound Brad achieves with a pinch harmonic. Experiment and adjust your technique until you are able to replicate the harmonics he plays.

Similar to the harmonic trick Brad demonstrated in the previous lesson, there are sweet spots along the string where pinch harmonics are easier to produce. Adjusting your right hand position along the string will also change the overall harmonic overtones produced by the harmonic. Experiment until you find the sweet spots along each string.

At the end of the scene, Brad demonstrates how pinch harmonics can be applied to an improvised solo. Begin to incorporate pinch harmonics into your own licks. However, remember that you can have too much of a good thing. Using pinch harmonics too often will greatly diminish their effectiveness.

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