Can someone help me with a Guitaring Matter

[cityofthemoon666]

Hey everyone, im just wondering, ive been playing for 5 years and im embaressed to say, i dont know what or how to play those high tremelo notes, for example in Serenity Painted Death in the chorus where Mikael says "GRIN" because ive always wanted to know how to play those, firstly whats it called, is it the effect of a pedal, how can i play it

Cheers Dudes

 

[Morningrise]

If I'm thinking of the right part, then those are called pinch harmonics. Very cool technique I've always thought. It's really hard to master, but when you get it you'll be able to do them very easily. basically it's striking the string in a certain way that gives it a very high pitched harmonic (I assume you know what that is?). Hmm, it's hard to describe, hold the pick in your hand in a way that the tip only sticks out about a millimeter from the edge of your thumb. Pick a note but as you pick it let the edge of your thumb sort of "grace" the string very quickly. Basically picking it with your pick, and immediately afterward letting your thumb tap it.
Check out some info on these online, I'm sure they will tell you better how to do it. Hope I helped, good luck with your dive bombs

 

[Furious B]

Well, I always thought those were called "artificial harmonics". Maybe I'm thinking of something else.

Morningrise explained it about as well, if not better, than I could. Go with what he said.

 

[Lethe78]

It is an artificial harmonic, as opposed to a natural harmonic, which occurs by barely having your fretting finger barely touching a particular note (directly over the fret itself), and releasing the finger at the same time as picking the note.


Pinch harmonic = artificial harmonic.

 

[Stormwatch]

I think you need some really good pickups and a high gain distortion pedal to get those harmonics.

 

[Lethe78]

I think you need some really good pickups and a high gain distortion pedal to get those harmonics.

You don't need really good pickups, but it helps if you are using your bridge pickup, and some good bright distortion. That is the easiest way to get a good sounding artificial harmonic.

 

[phon1c]

Artificial harmonics are a more general term, and apply to things like pinched, tapped, and 'harp' harmonics.

It's really hard to master, but when you get it you'll be able to do them very easily.

gah I wish. I've been able to do it roughly for a while now, but I miss them as much as I hit them, and they're rarely "clean". I think it's the way I usually hold the pick, as to play on I turn my whole wrist inwards more or less, so the thumb can touch the string.

 

[Lethe78]

I found it was a pain in the ass to learn how to do them correctly, but when I did finally learn, it became extremely easy to do. It really depends on how you hold the pick; everyone holds one differently.

 

[Protected Witness]

An easier way is to let the side of your hand (pinky side, obviously) touch the string instead of the edge of your thumb. I always found this technique easier, I believe 99% of Death Metal guitarists do it this way.

Also, the more distortion, the easier to get them out. There are certain places on the strings inbetween the pickups where certain notes lie, depending on what fret you have your finger on. It sounds complicated, but it's fairly simple once you master it. And don't forget to use vibrato with your fret hand once you pick it, so you'll get the crazy whooping noise!

 

[Katatonic]

good explaination morningrise, but you have to remember its all in one action. when i first read how to do it i was hitting the note and trying to mute it then. when i do them i twist my whole hand, so i might actually play the note with my thumbnail (im not really sure, it just happens!!!)

 

[Jeremy]

Actually... you can do artificial harmonics with an acoustic... you don't need the distortion.

 

[phon1c]

An easier way is to let the side of your hand (pinky side, obviously) touch the string instead of the edge of your thumb. I always found this technique easier, I believe 99% of Death Metal guitarists do it this way.

I find this kind of harder cos its lot less accurate than the edge of your thumb. I doubt you could say 99% of death metal guitarists do this.

 

[AndICried]

I find natural harmonics a whole load easier. What about everyone else?

 

[Jeremy]

LOL... obviously AndICried... pinch harmonics aren't hard either... but they're tough to explain in written...

 

[Lethe78]

Actually... you can do artificial harmonics with an acoustic... you don't need the distortion.

Indeed, this is correct, but it is easier to do it with distortion.

 

[Protected Witness]

I find this kind of harder cos its lot less accurate than the edge of your thumb. I doubt you could say 99% of death metal guitarists do this.

Well, whatever. I know how to do it.

 

[AndICried]

LOL... obviously AndICried... pinch harmonics aren't hard either... but they're tough to explain in written...

Haha, sorry, I'm only a year into guitar, and haven't had lessons. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something terribly wrong.

 

[Jeremy]

Well same here... I've only been playing for a year too and no lessons lol... though one of the things I first learned were pinch harmonics cuz I loved the sound of it...

 

[cityofthemoon666]

yeh cheers dudes, i just havent been into the death/black metal genre, and i taught myself too but i didnt really teach myself the write way, cheers for the advice guys