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Post subject: Pinch harmonics
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:26 pm
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hello everyone, i am curious about the technique of pinch harmonics: how they work, how to do them, technical stuff, etc.
thanks! :D

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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:29 pm
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I usually do pinch harmonics by using a pick and striking the note and kind of muting it by my thumb. They make a squealie sound. I can't really explain it too well. There are many videos on YouTube explaining how to do it. I can do pinch harmonics without a pick also, I actually find it quite easier. If you wan the Zakk Wylde type of one, you got to have the distortion and cranked up and heavy use of the vibrato.

Here's a video and they're many more also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5I5O8P-r5Rk


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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:34 pm
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3-Tone wrote:
I usually do pinch harmonics by using a pick and striking the note and kind of muting it by my thumb. If you want the Zakk Wylde type of one, you got to have the distortion cranked up and heavy use of the vibrato.


Yes, this is the process I learned also... when I first heard Zakk play it... I wanted to add that sound to my music as well.

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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:04 pm
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If I recall correctly Billy gibbons says he uses one of the fatter corners on his picks to do em, to make it easier.


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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:29 pm
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When I do Pinch Harmonics I choke up on the pick, push my thumb out a little, and and roll the edge of my thumb off the string as I pick it.

Try Pinching the 12th fret Harmonic on any open string (don't use you fretting hand at all, for now). Once you can do that, pinch all over the string till you find a few harmonics, then bring your Fretting hand into it, find all the harmonics you can on all the frets you feel like trying.

Dave Mustain has a technique based on the same principal as Pinch Harmonics, with a little Palm Muting thrown in. He rests the edge of his palm on a Harmonic spot and opens fire with his pick on a few strings. Like the segue into the last lead of Holy Wars.

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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:35 pm
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3-Tone wrote:
I can do pinch harmonics without a pick also, I actually find it quite easier.


Hi 3-Tone: I'm interested to hear that. I am a fingers and thumb player and I've never been much good at pulling squealies on demand. I always assumed that was because I don't use a pick. I'd be very glad to know how you're doing it just with your fingers.

Don't need that sound much - but it would be great to be sure of pulling one out when wanted. Advice gladly received...

Cheers - C


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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:57 pm
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well the way i do them is i play without a pick and i place the tip of my index finger in the middle of the tip of my thumb and i strum with my index finger and lightly brush my thumb on the string as i strum and it does it easier than any other way than ive tried and i can do them outta no where and i dont have to worry about stuff like switching the picks position but thats just my preference :lol:

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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:23 pm
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On the DVD ZZ Top Live From Texas you can see Billy plucking the String with his Index Finger while his thumb hits the harmonic. But he also usses his Pick and Thumb at one point.

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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:48 pm
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Billy Gibbons also uses Beard Harmonics........ :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:23 pm
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FirstMeasure wrote:

Dave Mustain has a technique based on the same principal as Pinch Harmonics, with a little Palm Muting thrown in. He rests the edge of his palm on a Harmonic spot and opens fire with his pick on a few strings. Like the segue into the last lead of Holy Wars.


This is a technique I use as well. I also strike my pick and thumb on the string a split second apart (somewhere around the middle pup). It took me a while to find this sweet spot, but now I find myself doing it all the time. I use it a lot with Metal and Blues.

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Post subject: Pinch harmonics
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 6:44 pm
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I read this interview with Billy Gibbons in "Guitar Player" magazine about the way he gets his harmonics. He said that he used a peso coin for a pick to "make the twine whine"...'course I'm talking 25-35 years ago...


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Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:47 pm
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Distortion really helps both natural and artificial harmonics really ring out. The MXR Dime Distortion really makes artificial harmonics ring out loud and clear, but its a really harsh distortion.

Other than that, a natural harmonic, like on the 3rd fret for example, just mute the low E (for example), and when you get that ringing noise, pound down the string (without picking it again). Artificial harmonics are harder to get, your thumb has to just barely skim the string after you pick it. Try letting just a little of the pick stick out between your fingers and turn the pick sideways as you pick. Its hard to get down at first, but it begins to grow on you after a while.


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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:17 pm
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Pgkinder91 wrote:
well the way i do them is i play without a pick and i place the tip of my index finger in the middle of the tip of my thumb and i strum with my index finger and lightly brush my thumb on the string as i strum and it does it easier than any other way than ive tried and i can do them outta no where and i dont have to worry about stuff like switching the picks position but thats just my preference :lol:


Good advice, Pgkinder91 and others. The bit you've been too kind to mention is, "go and practice it a lot more, Ceri!"

I will.

Thanks, guys - C


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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 1:03 pm
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very good tips, as for anything guitar it takes practice and then you find out how easy it really is, but for me learning tapping has been frustrating and i wont even mention on how i could only wish to sweep pick,


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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:24 pm
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Ceri wrote:
3-Tone wrote:
I can do pinch harmonics without a pick also, I actually find it quite easier.


Hi 3-Tone: I'm interested to hear that. I am a fingers and thumb player and I've never been much good at pulling squealies on demand. I always assumed that was because I don't use a pick. I'd be very glad to know how you're doing it just with your fingers.

Don't need that sound much - but it would be great to be sure of pulling one out when wanted. Advice gladly received...

Cheers - C


I hold my thumb and index finger together and hit the string with my index finger and then just turn my hand to my thumb really quick. It's pretty hard to explain. I use my fingers like a pick but without the pick and it just feels easier. Sorry if I couldn't help answer it.


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