Pinch Harmonics.

Shredder87 · #1 06-08-2006, 10:15 AM

I thought I'd post this after it was mentioned in another thread. I have real difficulty doing pinch harmonics. I know it's my technique since the guitar is fine, on the rare occasion I can get one it rings out fine. So, what is the correct technique for doing PHs? How do you hold the pick etc.

Cheers

"Smithy" (Shredder87)

Mister CCJ · #2 06-08-2006, 10:31 AM

well it depends a lot on the kind of pickups ur using, but im sure thats not the case since u can pretty much do pinch harmonics off an acoustic. basically in simplest words u need to make the edge thumb touch the string while picking a string. i notice i bend my wrist a little bit to do this. u also need to experiment moving ur picking hand up and down the strings since u will get different harmonic notes by doing that. i pick right above the middle single coil that seems to be a good spot and thats where ull match most of vai's pinched harmonics lol.

BLAKK:JAKK · #3 06-08-2006, 11:23 AM

Ok

1- Try producing those harmonics on the G string, it's easier.

2- Choose the right frets to do it, for example, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th. These are the easier, you can try in every fret, but these are the better frets for PHs.

3- Watch your right hand, your pick should be stcicking out from your thumb just a little bit, so that you it the string and touch it with your thumb, Personally, I it the string with the side of my thumb and not the tip of it.

4- It the string in the right place. I have a 22 fret guitar, my best spot to hit the string is were the 24th fret should be. Try in different spots and you'll find the best one.

5- Pinch Harmonics vibrations are picked up by your pups, so, its much better if you use distortion, so that the vibration is more sensitive and more suitable to be capted (I don't know the right words to explain this lol)

6- Practice, Practice, Practice...You'll be able to scream! Don't worry.

7- Watch Zakk Wylde's Pentatonic Hardcore, he gives some nice tips on that instructional video.

I know that I just gave you the tips that everybody already mentioned...But this is the technique to produce harmonics, now its up to you, practice it.

BLAKK:JAKK

(My english is a chaos

)

btangel · #4 06-08-2006, 12:26 PM

one way to make sure you have the technique right is to pinch at the 12 fret with open strings. If that works, try fretting. It's one of those techniques that's hard to explain, but once you get it, you won't lose it.

BLAKK:JAKK · #5 06-08-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by btangel

It's one of those techniques that's hard to explain, but once you get it, you won't lose it.

Btangel said what I wanted to say, but I had no words to describe it...That's exactly what he said.

When you feel confortable doing harmonics, that becomes so natural that you don't even think. It comes naturally when you ear it in your mind and you can use it on the next second, on the next phrase or solo.

It's another card in your pocket.

BLAKK:JAKK

JJEMMER777 · #6 06-08-2006, 12:51 PM

I don't seem to have a problem pinching harmonics anywhere on the fretboard or with any string. It's not the same case with open harmoncs though.

Hold the plectrum (pick) low so just a very small portion of it is actually sticking out from your thumb and finger. You should be pretty much doing this regardless anyways. Your thumb has to hit the string right behind the pick in order for the pinch to work. You do also kind of bend your wrist out just a bit while you hit the string.

Hit it HARD!!

It would be MUCH easier to show you how than try to write about it

As Jakk said "PRACTICE"!!!!!

Also, as had been stated above, once you DO get this technique it becomes easy and second nature. If your doing it correctly and your guitar is properly set up it shouldn't matter what kind of pickup you are using. I piinch on my accoustic all the time

spkenn5 · #7 06-08-2006, 01:03 PM

hmm i seem not quite get it.. i heard there are 3 harmonics..

pinch, natural and ???

and jemmer u can do pinch on acoustic? thats awesome..! i thought i'll need a heavy distorted sound to get it done easily

JJEMMER777 · #8 06-08-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spkenn5

hmm i seem not quite get it.. i heard there are 3 harmonics..

pinch, natural and ???

and jemmer u can do pinch on acoustic? thats awesome..! i thought i'll need a heavy distorted sound to get it done easily

Distortion just makes it easier.

Just like distortion can make a sloppy player sound....well......not so sloppy.

If you practice the pinch w/o dist you'll get a better technique

BLAKK:JAKK · #9 06-08-2006, 02:26 PM

Pinch in an acoustic guitar is the same as oding it on an electric guitar...

You have to hit the string harder though...

I can do it to, if you can do it on an electric, with some practice you will do it in an acoustic with no problem.

BLAKK:JAKK

mike2558 · #10 06-08-2006, 02:29 PM

make sure you're right hand isn't muting the strings a little bit because that sometimes happens to me. My right hand tends to drift left away from the bridge and I finally realize when my pinch harmonics don't work.

spkenn5 · #11 06-08-2006, 02:58 PM

cooool!!! thanks thanks!

have you guys seen eric johnson did a "i dont know" harmonic, its like he tapped on the string and produced the harmonic sounds.. thats amazing!!

BLAKK:JAKK · #12 06-08-2006, 04:33 PM

^Dimebag did that too

BLAKK:JAKK

And Mark Tremonti does that too....I guess

Lefty Robb · #13 06-08-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shredder87

I thought I'd post this after it was mentioned in another thread. I have real difficulty doing pinch harmonics. I know it's my technique since the guitar is fine, on the rare occasion I can get one it rings out fine. So, what is the correct technique for doing PHs? How do you hold the pick etc.

Cheers

"Smithy" (Shredder87)

Here, I made a little video for you, and anyone else who has a hard time getting them. hopefully it helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ylbIEy_h0s

Jaden · #14 06-08-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

Here, I made a little video for you, and anyone else who has a hard time getting them. hopefully it helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ylbIEy_h0s

I agree, its mostly technique and ive never had a problem getting them..
my best guitar/pup combo for getting them is RG548 + brdge EVO... harmonics everywhere.. only problem is as you can read in another thread is that they dont sustain too well..

another cool way that I like to use harmonics is to pick (and bend) a note on any string and then VERY lightly touch that string within the pickup area.... (best results are around the middle pup area toward the bridge) this will produce a great harmonic and its tone will depend on where you touch the string...
a great little trick that I use occasionally, but I use pinch harmonics ALL the time...

BLAKK:JAKK · #15 06-08-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty Robb

Here, I made a little video for you, and anyone else who has a hard time getting them. hopefully it helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ylbIEy_h0s

Its all good with the vid...

I just think that the pup isn't very important...Its important to select the bridge pup, yes...but you don't need high output pups or mid...neither evos or super distortions...I have an I banez stock humbucker on my ****ty SA and I can produce harmonics with no problem...And having a good tone or more treble or this or that won't help to...If you have distortion and an humbucker at the bridge that's fine! no need of great pups or expensive amps...

It's simple, if you have the technique you won't need evos and all that stuff...I can do it with an acoustic or wathever...techinque and practice counts a lot!

BLAKK:JAKK