My New Trick

[kbaim]

I woke up this morning to find I can do artificial harmonics!

Yippee.

Been watching steve Morse do it for years creating some of the most gorgeous melodies. I tried a few times but always picking string with middle finger while tapping in front of it with index 12 frets higher than left.

Always sounded like crap.

So I tried using the pick held between thumb and middle finger. Vwalla!

Just like Steve says to do it.

can't wait to use the technique in a song.
I'm very

 

[bluebullet]

i fret the note with my left hand and then tap with my right hand index finger dont fret the note with your right hand just kind of tap the string . its a touch that you just have to get a feel for. then there is pinch harmonics where you kind of cut through the string with the side of the pick and when the string pops over the pick it slaps the side of your thumb. and once again its a feel thing that you just have to develop

 

[savannah_sean]

Keith-

I've been trying to do that for awhile now too- I more or less have the hang of it, although (as I'm sure you know) it's pretty hard to move seamlessly between "regular" notes and the harmonics, and back again. I got into them when I was learning "Morning Rush Hour" - there is a really great harmonics lick in that tune.

Why are they called "artificial" harmonics?

 

[kbaim]

Artificial?

Prolly cause you need to fret them too. As opposed to playing ones on 12th fret, 7th, 5th, 4th.

I haven't even started to alternate regularly picked strings yet! Just doing harmonic sequences right now. Unless you mean a regularly picked patern and answering it with harmonics.

That I'm doing


Watching Steve do it this last tour especially on RISING POWER with the SMB where there was just this gigantic harmonic section brought this huge grin to my face...Though the waitress could've been bending over too.

Also, I'd like to be able to play them with an upstroke too. But it doesn't sound nearly as good yet. Crappy actually.

 

[savannah_sean]

Artificial?

Prolly cause you need to fret them too. As opposed to playing ones on 12th fret, 7th, 5th, 4th.

I know it's just semantics and makes no difference at all...but that just doesn't make sense to me. If you play the harmonic on the 12th fret, g-string, it's a "harmonic" but if you fret the first fret, g-string and put your finger over the 13th fret and pick, it's an "artificial" harmonic, even though exactly the same thing is being accomplished in both cases. So, if you play the open g-string, it's a g-note, but if you put your finger on the first fret, g-string, and pick, it's an "artifical" g-sharp because you fretted it? no, of course not.

Anyway, it's just words and I'm playing devil's advocate. All that really matters is how it sounds.

upstrokes too...I haven't tried that. still have a long ways to go with the basics.

 

[caucajun]

artie who?

ah cain't make no artie- fishin' harmonicers.........but ah kin sher' make 'er sqeal!

 

[decosteonline]

Hi all,

I wrote an article on harmonics awhile back that may interest you. Please check out lesson two from this website which may help you out. You can hear me applying these techniques on the "Shred", "Rock", "Pop Rock" and "Unsigned" stations of EB Radio. Best of luck!

 

[kbaim]

Just got a phone call from NORM last night...who, BTW pulls off artificial harmonics like most of us fart, with relative ease and joy.

Anywho...he suggests playing regular notes with the right hand ring finger while doing the artificial thing the way described earlier.

Thanks Norm...but lemme get the basic math thing down before I jump to the algebra thing, okay?

Jeez, rocket scientists.

 

[NorM]

your welcome Keith

Yeah I to the 12,7,5 tap because it's easier. But when plauint artificial harmonics as part of a chord the only way I find possible is the "Morseian" way. (Although others did it before him)

Take your time and do it right. Sorry bout the math.

 

[jongitarz]

My wife taught me to sit up and beg

 

[jazzbo jim]

Your Avitar is most appropriate, then!

The one I heard was: "my wife and I do it doggy style: I beg and she plays dead"
(Insert rimshot here)

 

[jongitarz]

I thought doing it doggy style meant you did it on newspapers

 

[kbaim]

So I guess the artificial harmonic content of this thread is no longer relevant to the thread.

 

[Hookpunch]

I woke up this morning to find I can do artificial harmonics!

Yippee.

Been watching steve Morse do it for years creating some of the most gorgeous melodies. I tried a few times but always picking string with middle finger while tapping in front of it with index 12 frets higher than left.

Always sounded like crap.

So I tried using the pick held between thumb and middle finger. Vwalla!

Just like Steve says to do it.

can't wait to use the technique in a song.
I'm very

Hey Kbaim, not quite sure about your original method, but I think it is what I was taught in my classical guitar lessons.

Except I muted the string with my index finger and picked with my third finger (for those of you who know the P I M A, I used M).

Your are correct it never sounded too good on a steel string or electric, so I just ended up tapping harmonics. I never did manage to use the method Steve describes.

 

[koogie2k]

Hey Kbaim, not quite sure about your original method, but I think it is what I was taught in my classical guitar lessons.

Except I muted the string with my index finger and picked with my third finger (for those of you who know the P I M A, I used M).

Your are correct it never sounded too good on a steel string or electric, so I just ended up tapping harmonics. I never did manage to use the method Steve describes.

I do them on the classical the same way. I also try to incorporate that on the electric...however, not nearly as sweet and flawless as one Steve Morse...

 

[kbaim]

Hook,
Yeah, that's the way I was trying it before, but had trouble getting the "chime".
Pick has better success rate for me, though I still botch.

Koogs,
Sure want to hear you play some paganini (and ALIVE) at the open house. I'll bring amps and guitars.

 

[Hookpunch]

Hook,
Yeah, that's the way I was trying it before, but had trouble getting the "chime".
Pick has better success rate for me, though I still botch.

Koogs,
Sure want to hear you play some paganini (and ALIVE) at the open house. I'll bring amps and guitars.

You probably would have been able to get the harmonic to ring better if you had a nail on your third finger like a classical guitarist - using just flesh only gives that dull thud.

 

[kbaim]

I need to quit biting them.

 

[Ali]

I've never had too much problem with either but I waste my talent by trying to tap too much and f***ing everything up

Another gorgeous example of the technique is used by Lukather on Toto's Mama and also on there version of Butterfly on Through The Looking Glass on teh outro. Luke demonstrates it on the infamous Star Licks DVD/video...really is a gorgeous sound.

 

[NorM]

Steve Morse is writing a column again. This time for Guitar Player magazine. This months column deals with your new trick.
BTW Country Colors is on my set list.