Harmonics?!?!

[zbalz]

I am on lesson 5 right hand technique and I am LOST. I keep reading it over and over and I still don't quite understand how to do any of the harmonic methods listed. I guess its just one of those things that I am going to have to see, any of you guys know of any pictures or videos online that show harmonics? Or any other suggestions?

Thanks

-zbalz

[Kristoffer]

This is a good question and I wish that I could show you an exercise that would make it easier to understand but it is a TECHNIQUE that doesn't have anything to do with shredding. This is basically complete right hand technique. There are 2 types of harmonics...there is the open string type and then there is the type where you completely tweak the hell out of the string with your righth hand and there are several variations. This is something that seperates the well...from the big boys. Eddie Van Halen and Rhoads for example. It will take you quite a while to master this but be persistent and don't give up. The open harmonic is very easy andn if you have good control in your left hand then you should be able to do it easily. YOu can pop them out over the entire length of the fret on the 5th postion ..theh 7th position..the 12th..and the 21st. You gently tap the string while you are playing it open..just a little tap is all it takes..very gently. YOu can get more agreesive with this technique later. Then there is the method of..I forget what they are called but if you ever hear a guirtar scream like the Devil...GEORGE LYNCH..the master...this is what you are hearing. I would first recommend that if you are unable to pop these out that you first start by mastering picking. Next is mastering muting of the strings...all of them individually...Take Kirk Hammet of metallica..isn't very fast but he can chop very well. Practice his stuff. Once you have this down you will start practicing PINCHING of the string...it is hard to explain to someone..angle of pick..the three fingres involved...ya just have to keep practicing. I'm sure that someone might be able to dissect the harmonic and tell you exactly how you could pinch it out but it would do you no good..everyone has there own style and in order to be able to pop out 16th note pinch harmonics everywhere..even on open strings..takes complete mastering of the frets and right hand. PRACTICE DOES MAKE PERFECT. Best of luck.

Kristoffer Dana

[StoneDragon]

Hmmm... since I was the guy who explained the techniques in the lesson.... I don't know any better way to explain it. Let me see if I can come up with something. I have a couple of vids with Steve Morse and Eric Johnson where they use some of those techniques. They don't explain them, but they use them.

There may be another way to get the techniques across to you, but for the moment I am blank.

[zbalz]

Yeah i just got a dvd recently of steve vai, eric johnson, and joe satriani...and it seems they use harmonics...a LOT. Ill try to study them in Sloooow Moootiooon.

-zbalz

[ghodaddyyo]

Pinch harmonics or Artificial harmonics. The "tab explained" section of guitar mags was sufficient for me to learn. What I do is pick the note and brush the string with my finger as my pick passes. If its a downpick, my thumb will brush by. If an upstroke, then my forefinger. The upstroke takes some practice, but the downstroke is easy enough, especially if you accompany the technique with a bend. It will make your guitar scream!