How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

[Mincer]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

New strings and using a medium to high output bridge pickup helps. When I was learning, I had trouble with it, too. Then one day I was barely paying attention, and I made it happen. Then I went through a period of using them for everything (very annoying). Work on it until just before you get frustrated and then stop. Play something you are good at, and put the guitar down and walk away. Don't leave your practice time feeling frustrated.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

Any luck?

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

It's getting better, definitely more progress than I've been making in the past. But it will take still take some more time for me to get them to ring out consistently.

 

[dave74]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

I've always had an easier time getting them to really scream-out with light or medium-light string-tension.
With heavier tighter strings it seems to be harder, for me anyways.

Of all the pickups I've ever tried none has been more pinch-friendly than the carvin M22sd.
It's not even close to being my favorite pickup tone overall, but that thing is so hot and fluid, great for leads IMO.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

It's getting better, definitely more progress than I've been making in the past. But it will take still take some more time for me to get them to ring out consistently.

I want to post something up for you that might help. It might take a couple of days though. One thing I wanted to mention too is that you will have a way easier time with pinch harmonics the lower the fretted note is. It starts to get tougher all around The further towards the bridge the fretted note is.

 

[jeremy]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

I haven't done a scientific study (hahaha), but the freqs that tend to favor pinchie squealies are upper mids...

...like approximately 2k-6k in the frequency spectrum.

upper mids? most of my guitar speakers only have a frequency range up to 5k

 

[LLL]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

upper mids? most of my guitar speakers only have a frequency range up to 5k

2-6k is part of the upper mids spectrum.

If your particular speaker only goes to 5k, you still have 2k, 3k, 4k & 5k coming through.

Those are the magical freqs that pinchies live in. :lol:

I generally bump 2.5k and 4k just a hair in DAW when using DAW plugins (BIAS, etc) as guitar amp.

Typically studio-wise (but not always) the recorded guitar is given a low-pass roughly around 6k, because beyond 6k there's not much data and also those treble freqs beyond 6k are used for drum cymbals, "air" on vox, etc in the overall mix.

 

[LLL]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

I want to post something up for you that might help. It might take a couple of days though. One thing I wanted to mention too is that you will have a way easier time with pinch harmonics the lower the fretted note is. It starts to get tougher all around The further towards the bridge the fretted note is.

My theory on the reason for that is because the nodes get closer together the higher up the fretboard you go; thus more difficult to physically pinpoint said nodes with pick hand.

...except for certain areas like the 7th, 5th fret and probably more.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

My theory on the reason for that is because the nodes get closer together the higher up the fretboard you go; thus more difficult to physically pinpoint said nodes with pick hand.

...except for certain areas like the 7th, 5th fret and probably more.

Exactly. I think that's the biggest reason.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

Once your technique is good you can pop them on acoustics and unplugged electrics on command. So rather than worrying about EQ and pickups definitely focus on technique as you have been.

I agree with choking down on the pick, but when I was super into Zakk Wylde I noticed how his picking hand would rotate into a different position for the harmonics. Between that and hitting the right place on the string I got decent at the technique. Now I can't remember the last time I intentionally hit one.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

Pinch harmonic was the first technique that fascinated me (along with palm muting) when I started playing electric in 1993.

I managed to pull a harmonic I think somewhere on the 3rd string, attempting the squeal at the end of the solo on 'I Remember You' by Skid Row. Everything with trial and error, Charvel Strat with 3 singles, an 8W Park amp and a Morley.

 

[DankStar]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

Move your picking hand around to find good spots. Some might be towards bridge, others towards neck.

Type of gain is very important - it can't be weak, and some amps/pedals work better than others for it.

You could start with the trick of holding a note (say 5th fret on G) and lightly brushing a finger over the corresponding fret (over the metal) on the upper octave (16th fret). Will at least let you do it until you get the other technique down.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

Thanks for all of your help. I am finally able to get decent artificial harmonics. They ain't perfect yet, but I'm improving a lot faster than I have been.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

Sometimes dialing in the height of your pickups will really make pinch harmonics stand out and be more prominent sounding. Obviously dialing in your gain will help immensely too, aside from that its literally all in your hands, and pick.
I use a Jazz III max grip, but a thick pick isnt always necessary either, but it does help.

Youll need to find a way to do it that doesnt make you all tense and stiff because it will affect your flow of playing. Well I guess that will come in time, but youll still need to consciously be aware of where youre at with your picking area because there are sweet spots that youll need to visually memorize which in time will become second nature as you get better.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: How to Improve Artificial Harmonics?

You can hold the pick sideways with the point facing back and strike with the left corner of the pick. It puts your thumb closer to the string in position to mute the string after your stroke.