PDA

View Full Version : One Hand Harmonics?


itsme
June 14th, 2009, 12:14 PM
Hey Guys,

Ive been watching this guy called Gypsy Dave Smith for years and he is just something special. I mean if your ever see him or hear hes around go see him, you will not regret it.
Anyways as its shown in this video, he seems to be able to pick out harmonics with one hand whilst playing slide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-MzdgQWKkU
(shown here at 1.23 & 3.52)

Now ive tryed to get this, but it just baffles me, is it something special about his dobro? is it some technique im missing? or is he just a god?

Thanks for any help

Mikey

Fendershredder
June 14th, 2009, 12:26 PM
You understand that if you're fretting a note, and you pluck and release (like a natural harmonic) on that note an octave higher it'll create a harmonic, right? I believe that's what he's doing here.

For instance, fret the 3rd fret on the E string. Now, place your middle or index finger lightly over the string at the 15th fret. Don't press down, just lay the flesh of your finger on the the string, now with your thumb (while still maintaining contact with your middle/index, and still holding down the 3rd fret with your left hand), pluck the string and simultaneously release your index/middle, it should create a harmonic.

MobBarley
June 14th, 2009, 02:09 PM
I watched, but I think he just played a normal harmonic by decreasing pressure with the slide. somehow. Or, his non-slide finger did it.

I can't do it with my slide, personally.

ResonantEvil
June 17th, 2009, 06:27 PM
He is strumming harp harmonics. This is what Fendershredder is trying to explain.

Learn how to do harp harmonics, then you'll be able to see that this is exactly what he's doing.