Pinch Harmonic Help.

[carpfishy]

On one of our songs in our solo we have quite a few pinch harmonics, problem is I'm new at doing it and researched it a bit and I still can't get the suckers to ring out correctly. I use a heavy pick, barely let the pick touch the string where as right after my thumb hits it and the damm harmonic still won't ring out. I bend the heck out of the note and use almost full distortion. Am I doing anything wrong, is there a better technique.

Thanks...

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

pick the string then as you 'twist' your thumb after picking immediately touch the string lightly with the edge of your thumb. where you pick also matters depending on the note. sometimes its closer to the bridge, some times in the middle.

 

[carpfishy]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

well, I can get some choked out notes to ring but still cuts out short or doesn't have the full-fat suspended tone. To much distortion makes it sound like crap and choppy, my noise gate isn't helping to much either. I guess Ill keep fiddling with it and see what happens. Thanks.

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

maybe this will help:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZIP_nK89SE

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ztH7S36wRk
You can see here how i pick!Feel free to ask if you have problems!
Cheers!

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ztH7S36wRk
You can see here how i pick!Feel free to ask if you have problems!
Cheers!

what about on the higher frets?

 

[joeydude]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

its the same thing on higher frets

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

its the same thing on higher frets

i know but its a bit harder to get pinch harmonics past the 12th fret.
i was searching on You Tube for the original poster and most videos are kids who feel they're good giving "Lessons" on pinch harmonics playing only on the lower frets on the low strings.

 

[joeydude]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

you just gotta find the sweet spot man, which is diferent depending on which fret your on. try to memorise the feel of where the swete spots are for this song your playing.

 

[metal]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

sometimes its not you man! it may be the guitar, I use to own a schecter c1+ that the pinch harmonics would jump out of the fretboard! I wouldnt even try, and now i have a les paul std that I find it hard to make em ring right!

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

i know but its a bit harder to get pinch harmonics past the 12th fret.
i was searching on You Tube for the original poster and most videos are kids who feel they're good giving "Lessons" on pinch harmonics playing only on the lower frets on the low strings.

I can do it on higher frets too.on the G and D string ,it's not a problem.
if you really need it ,i can record it!

 

[bryvincent]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

I can do it on higher frets too.on the G and D string ,it's not a problem.
if you really need it ,i can record it!

G and D strings only?

 

[daemon barbeque]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

G and D strings only?

No not only ,but the G and d strings let it "better" out!So the strings are more Pinch harmonic friendly!
I can do it in all strings ,but the technique is allways the same.Just the tension and the sweet spot differs!But again ,if you can't do it and need some videos ,i can do them.Not a big deal!

 

[carpfishy]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

sometimes its not you man! it may be the guitar, I use to own a schecter c1+ that the pinch harmonics would jump out of the fretboard! I wouldnt even try, and now i have a les paul std that I find it hard to make em ring right!

Yep I found out, that was my problem. On my Schector Omen6 it would do a few here and there, but then I picked up my Ibanez AX and they all rang out. Thanks for everybody's help.

 

[devastone]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

I use a heavy pick, barely let the pick touch the string where as right after my thumb hits it and the damm harmonic still won't ring out.

There's part of your problem, you gotta dig in to get pinch harmonics, not "barely touch the string".

 

[carpfishy]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

There's part of your problem, you gotta dig in to get pinch harmonics, not "barely touch the string".

Well Im still new at trying to master the technique and am confused on the right technique to use. When you say dig what do you mean? I just pluck, hit the string and let off my thumb. Do I need to leave my thumb on it.

 

[kneadmomunny]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

instead of sweeping across the top of the string, push into it.

i like to turn my pick nearly perpendicular to the string and rub my thumb along the string as i pick and it leaves less guessing as to when i need to touch the string.

but yeah, watch deamon's video and see how he smashes the strings like he is using a hammer for a pick? that is the digging in thing.... just be careful not to catch your thumb between the string and the pick too much or it might get blood all over your guitar. :blackeye: :yell:

 

[joeydude]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

On my Schector Omen6 it would do a few here and there, but then I picked up my Ibanez AX and they all rang out. Thanks for everybody's help.

yeah the guitar itself makes a big diference. thats one thing i really like about my strat, good harmonics.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

Ok, no ofense to anyone, but with the right technique you can hit pinch harmonics ANYWHERE. It doesnt matter what axe you have, or how much gain is dialed in.

DEJ915, Can hit pinch harmonics like nobodies bussiness, im sure hes not the only one.

and hey, im not so bad either. lol.

Heres a tip that will help anyone: DONT FLICK your thumb. sorry to quote Michael Angelo Batio there (lol) but dude, if you flick it, you probably wont get the right sound, or get them to ring out.

the way I do P.H. and the way ive seen countless people do them effortlessly, is by really digging in with the pick. Dont just flick them, but try to really get in there.

pick it (thumb included obviously) but do it in a downward motion (towards the pick ups) dont forget to use vibrato as it really makes them ring.

by the way, pinching after the 12th fret, isnt hard at all.

i guess it just takes time, you need to get your technique together, and then and ONLY then, will you be able to hit almost any harmonic ANYwhere without worry.

when you get better, try hitting them with a clean sound, on acoustics, and on a bass if you have one.

 

[Kommerzbassist]

Re: Pinch Harmonic Help.

Hey I have found out a trick some longer time ago that should enable you to hit the harmonics quite well... about... everywhere.
First, you hold the pick so it's about 45° to the string and as you hit it you turn your thumb... well... up and wipe it along the string towards the neck (a bit).