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Natural Harmonic

The simplest harmonics to produce are probably “Natural Harmonics. The technique used is to play with an open string. You would pluck the string with the right hand with your pick as usual, and at the same time softly touch your left finger to the string at the proper point and then move out it immediately. Your left finger forces the string to stay still in that point, thus creating a node, while the rest of it resonates. The clarity the harmonic relies upon how speedily you remove your finger. The most significant thing about “Natural harmonics” is that where you place your left finger .This is so because it has to match the exact placement of the node of the harmonic series you want to produce.

In most cases you need to place your finger above the fret, not the gap in between them. You can get all the “harmonic” easily with a little practice except the 9th fret that is fairly difficult to produce. The 12th fret is simplest and best lace to begin.

Artificial Harmonic

“Natural harmonics” being produced on open strings have limited notes which we can easily create. While “Artificial harmonics” include one more step and give a lot more openings, although they are much difficult to play. However, the principle is simple – we have just to shorten the string by fretting it somewhere. For instance a 2nd harmonic although still consisting of 2 equal notes split in the middle would sound higher because we have shortened the string by fretting it.

It also signifies that we have to move the point that we produce the node up by half the distance we have moved up the fret board (so that we are still hitting the exact center of the part of the string that is free to move). Since we work out the positioning of the nodes as a division of the part of the string that is able to resonate, all of the nodes will be closer at hand, and will act on the string slightly. To actually play the “harmonic”, since your left hand is busy in fretting the string, you must place a finger from your right hand on the appropriate point, and use some other finger on the same hand to really pull the string – this is not easy – pretty hard to perform but with practice you can meet the task.

To produce “artificial harmonics”, apply the exact same rules , just remember that you have to adjust for the amount you have moved up the neck.Entire complex melodies can be played by practicing artificial harmonics , but if you are moving your fret hand up the string even to play sequential notes, you also need to modify the place to match the “harmonic “you are producing.

Both the techniques mentioned above are equally at home on a classical or electric guitar.

Eugene W is a professional guitar instructor and a full time musician. Get access free lead guitar lessons and listen to over 1000 Guitar Backing Tracks now. Planet Of Rock – Your #1 Lead Guitarist Resource