Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

[Robbiedbee]

Well, for a start, I hold my pick with my thumb, my index finger and my middle finger, which is apparently wrong, but I can play just fine like that.

To do a pinch harmonic, instead of using my thumb, I take my index finger off the pick, and touch the string with the tip of it, then pick the note with pick, which is now held with the thumb and middle finger.

It works fine for me, I was just wondering who else uses this approach.

 

[Nightrunner]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I hold the pick (Jazz III for electric stuff... medium thick standard size pick for acoustic) with thumb & index, the rest of the fingers extended, but relaxed.

For "artificial" harmonics, I use the edge of the pick in combination with my thumb. Pretty standard, I know... :blackeye:

I've heard of and seen all sorts of picking techniques though, and as long as you're keeping the tension away and you're happy with the results you get, why bother changing?


--Nightrunner

 

[YJM_Rocks]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I use just the meat of my thumb for artificial. But hey...use what works man. Also something cool to try is picking a note normally then tapping a natural harmonic, or touching your palm to the strings and getting an artificial.

 

[SpiderVenom]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I use the standard method these days, but I used to touch the string with my pinky while picking it to get a pinch harmonic.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

Robbiedbee, that sounds like an interesting method to try out... never heard it before. You mean you touch the string with your index finger at the "pinch node" and then pick the string?

I use the standard method as well... just the side of my thumb.

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

Robbiedbee, that sounds like an interesting method to try out... never heard it before. You mean you touch the string with your index finger at the "pinch node" and then pick the string?

I use the standard method as well... just the side of my thumb.

I'm not sure what the 'pinch node' is, but I assume it is the place that you would be touching with your thumb if you were using the standard technique.

I don't know what it is, but because I use a 3-fingered hold, I find it hard to touch the string with my thumb, because it just doesn't sit that far down on the pick.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I've found I do your method by accident sometimes, but with my ring finger. I'll hit a note, and my finger will brush the string while the note is ringing, but it's out of pure coincidence that I happen to touch a harmonic node and so I get a nice screaming pinch harmonic . Anyone else found this?

 

[Robbiedbee]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I've found I do your method by accident somtimes, but with my ring finger. I'll hit a note, and my finger will brush the string while the note is ringing, but it's out of pure coincidence that I happen to touch a harmonic node and so I get a nice screaming pinch harmonic . Anyone else found this?

I certainly have found that. Usually it's a stray pinkie or something whilst picking. Makes you sit up and go wow!

 

[jony]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I use both methods.

The thumb for any random screaming note and the index and pick for a certain note that I will want.

 

[AmirH]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I use just the meat of my thumb for artificial. But hey...use what works man. Also something cool to try is picking a note normally then tapping a natural harmonic, or touching your palm to the strings and getting an artificial.

I've been doing that like crazy lately. Super fun.

 

[nuntius]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

I think that's similar to the harp harmonics thing Eric Johnson talks about in his instructional video.

He uses his first finger to place the node (he's doing 12 frets above) and uses his thumb to pick the note.

 

[fingerace]

Re: Does anyone else do this? (Pinch technique)

Well, for a start, I hold my pick with my thumb, my index finger and my middle finger, which is apparently wrong, but I can play just fine like that.

To do a pinch harmonic, instead of using my thumb, I take my index finger off the pick, and touch the string with the tip of it, then pick the note with pick, which is now held with the thumb and middle finger.

It works fine for me, I was just wondering who else uses this approach.

You do it like tommy emmanuel (and others) who do the harp/cascading/waterfalling harmonics thing. It's not exactly like that, but if it works for you, be proud to be different!

I do it the traditional way sometimes, but MOST of the times I do it with my fingers (no pick). I touch the string 12 frets further on from the note i am fretting and i pick the string using my thumb. (or using my ring finger if i am playing classical).