Does anyone know how to do "pinch harmonics"?

[Hate_Crew_Roller]

I feel stupid asking you guys this, but I've been trying. FOR SO LONG!!!

So, could anyone help a dumb-ass out?

 

[Kattana]

hold your plectrum with a small bit poking out from the end of your thumb and pick it above the neck pickup

 

[OvSeth]

What Kattana said.. You can also find some videos on youtube or something.

 

[Corny]

You don't have to pick it over the neck pickup, there are different sweet spots with different harmonics on each string.

I agree about the way to hold the pick. You have to mute the string with your thumb directly after you hit it.

 

[The Emptier]

ok heres a REAL answer. it will be long but it you really wanna do it read on.


alright first of all. there is a mathamatical procedure to "pinch harmonics". alright. some people may call it "sweet spots" but really, each harmonic is 24 frets above the given note. so lets say you wanna do a pinch on the 7th fret g string, you roughly estimate 24 frets up and do it. this may seem hard to figure out but you pretty much remember where each one for each note is after a while.

now to actually do them you take your pick and put it a couple mm's below your finger so when you hit the string your thumb is hitting it as well. have the pick at an angle helps to. it took me a LONG time to master it, but it is an amazing thing to have in your guitar knowledge. good luck!

 

[MasterT44]

Here's your REAL answer: http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/musicians-discussion-107/

 

[Corny]

ok heres a REAL answer. it will be long but it you really wanna do it read on.


alright first of all. there is a mathamatical procedure to "pinch harmonics". alright. some people may call it "sweet spots" but really, each harmonic is 24 frets above the given note. so lets say you wanna do a pinch on the 7th fret g string, you roughly estimate 24 frets up and do it. this may seem hard to figure out but you pretty much remember where each one for each note is after a while.

If that would be right, you could only play one harmonic for each note. But that's not true! You can play different p. harmonics for each note. So that prooves your general statement as wrong.

 

[<-Warheart->]

If that would be right, you could only play one harmonic for each note. But that's not true! You can play different p. harmonics for each note. So that prooves your general statement as wrong.

EXACTLY.

And plus, the 24th fret things sound crappy. Pinch right next to the bridge and vibrato like crazy.

 

[Hate_Crew_Roller]

Thanks guys! You've all helped me.

Especially, you Warheart, and you Corny. You guys rock.

Party on!!! uke:

 

[CliffBurton]

I just go at it...I didnt know there was a specific spot to do them

Go Bass player logic!

 

[metalhead_666]

when i do it i usually move my hand + pick downwards and hold the pick almost perpendicular to the string ---- that slows me down... is that the right method ?

 

[Hate_Crew_Roller]

when i do it i usually move my hand + pick downwards and hold the pick almost perpendicular to the string ---- that slows me down... is that the right method ?

If you're asking me, I HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE. Seriously, just read what "<-Warheart->" or "Corny" posted.

Kudos to you guys again.

 

[metalhead_666]

i wasn't asking you n00b

 

[Kattana]

no need to troll

 

[<-Warheart->]

when i do it i usually move my hand + pick downwards and hold the pick almost perpendicular to the string ---- that slows me down... is that the right method ?

If it slows you down, don't do it, duh.

And personally, I always angle my pick forward.

 

[666laiho_4evacobhc]

There's a trick that only Zakk Wylde and me know, you have to buy and harmonic pedal and push the harmonic button. Or buy harmonic strings but shhh, don't tell the n00b.

 

[RedSGShredder]

Yeah man, as mentioned, they are based on math.

So the basics are to hit the string with not just your pick, but angle your pick in such a way that your pick and right thumb hit the string at the exact same time.

It can be hard to get the harmonics sometimes. But here is a trick. It is a lot easier to hit the NATURAL harmonics on the 12th fret (1/2 point) than on the 3rd fret. Similarly, you can try to hit pinch harmonics on the 1/2 point.

What I mean is, try doing a pinch harmonic on the 5th fret, but instead of picking it where your right hand would normally be, try to hit the note right over the 17th fret, which is the 5th fret's 1/2 point.

You should be able to hit pinch harmonics easily there. Of course, it doesn't sound as cool as hitting it closer to the bridge, but you can at least try it out and get it down solid.

By the way, the word "pinch" is informal. You actually don't pinch anything

 

[MMV]

BTW, in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOqC0Cq2fbc

Is there something trick to get those pinch harmonics sounds like that at 00:05-00:06 part?

Some tips? I mean, the vibrato is started before harmonics or something like that? I can get only "ding" sound when I try harmonics on so high... even if I try different places, and place what Laiho uses I can&#180;t get anything kind of sound on those notes...

 

[guardian_of_fate]

thats exactly what everyone here is talking about. put a little balls behind it (figuratively). Keep practicing, you'll get it.

 

[Swabs]

I didn't learn any technique behind it. Teacher just said "make sure the side of your thumb hits the string just after". Now I can do it pretty much anywhere on the fretboard....soo...I say @ maths.