What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

[Gamera]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

I dunno what im doing wrong, they do sound a little more higher but they don't "squeel" like i want them too! I duno what im doing wrong! And i do a little vibrato for good measure but nothing.

Make sure you've got fresh strings. And you won't be able to do it on all frets. Try the 7th fret (D note) on the G string. That's a sweet spot.

[Stratsky]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

Listen to ZZ Top "La Grange"

Pearly Gates
JB

Billy Gibbons' playing is the best example for pinch harmonics. You need a small stiff pick, hold it close to the tip, and let the side of your thumb hit the string as you pick. I actually have a callous on the side of my thumb from doing pinch harmonics for so long. You need a bright pickup in the bridge. It doesn't really matter if its a single coil or humbucker. I can get them on any of my guitars (tele, strats, and prs), but I can get them all day long and anywhere on the neck of my tele.

[presa_tito]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

I dunno what im doing wrong, they do sound a little more higher but they don't "squeel" like i want them too! I duno what im doing wrong! And i do a little vibrato for good measure but nothing.

Lots of distortion helps and play around doing it at different spots in the picking area until you find your sweet spot. Moving the pu higher might help also. Just mess around until you get it.

[rhmcfarland]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

Listen to ZZ Top "La Grange"

Pearly Gates
JB

[Hellion]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

I do them a little differently. My middle or ring finger nail comes into contact just a tiny bit after the pick hits the string. I don't know how anyone else does it with anything else, but I can get those whistling 4th, 5th & 9th's like Michael Schenker does with no problem. I've found that ANY pickup will pick them up but a higher output pup senses them a little better.

[strat_master]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

I dunno what im doing wrong, they do sound a little more higher but they don't "squeel" like i want them too! I duno what im doing wrong! And i do a little vibrato for good measure but nothing.

[Gamera]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

Beware! Once you get used to playing certain notes on certain strings as pinch harmonics, you'll never be able to play them normally again.

[presa_tito]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

A good way to practice them is to keep doing chromatics up and down the neck with pinch harmonics. Do it until they all "squeal" nicely and you can go fast.

[Fresh_Start]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

Jolly & Slash857 -

Thanks for the help in understanding pinch harmonics - tone & technique!

Chip

[stevie ray]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

try brushing ur thumb on the string after u strike it with ur pick

when u find it, keep practicing

i do it often, and i can now pretty much do em with no volume or even without the guitar plugged in! not perfect, but i am getting better.

[JOLLY]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

Hmm just to see if im on the right track is it basically hitting the string with the tip of the pick and the thumb at the same time? basically the string is inbetween the pick and your thumb so your kind of pinching the string?????? am i even close to the right technique? umm also where on the fret board can i nial these pinch harmonics down?

You got it!! Once you practice them you can get them on about 90% of the neck.

[59paul]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

That's about it. It takes some practice. Practice the technique a bunch, and you'll have em jumpin out in no time. ( also, add a bit of vibrato with your fretting hand, it helps the harmonic sustain )

[strat_master]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

Hmm just to see if im on the right track is it basically hitting the string with the tip of the pick and the thumb at the same time? basically the string is inbetween the pick and your thumb so your kind of pinching the string?????? am i even close to the right technique? umm also where on the fret board can i nial these pinch harmonics down?

[59paul]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

It helps to set your Bridge pickup high, right under the strings. A JB and a Pearly Gates are my favorites for Pinch Harmonics, and also the 59B

[slash857]

Re: What are pinch harmonics? and what pick ups does it well?

http://www.cyberfret.com/techniques/harmonics/pinch/index.php

great place to get a good jump on them. i learned it here. it comes with practice alot. once u do it more, it becomes easier and more natural. at first it was hard for me to repositiion my thumb all the time, but now its jsuta matter of sliding a bit.