Artificial Harmonic ARGHHH!!!!

[Wrong Robot]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield


But you missed my point - Jaco did work out some different methods for PoT and I'm not disagreeing with this. But this was a one-off and he didn't use these normally - his preferred method was the thumb/node thing - but he did all sorts of unusual stuff on PoT which he clearly struggles to apply on the video!

ah yes...I see it there, I definatly agree with you Spruce Windshield, PoT is really the only song I've ever heard him to use capo artificial harmonics.

[IAMERICCOCHRANE]

Originally posted by Wrong Robot


ah yes...I see it there, I definatly agree with you Spruce Windshield, PoT is really the only song I've ever heard him to use capo artificial harmonics.

Heh, PoT,Hehehehe Pot is a good song huh Hehehehehe.

[3 crotch grabs]

i don't know the first thing about jaco (besides the fact that he only needed 4 strings) but i do this a bit different than has been described so far... i just use a right handed tap to get them. not holding down the note mind you, but a quick little thing... if you're careful, you can get the harmonic, if you're sloppy, you'll get the natural and the harmonic at the same time, which is great in certain situations.

[bass87]

I know from experience it can be quite hard to understand something explained to you without anyone physically showing you, so if you get the chance, check out Victor Wooten and Steve Baileys 'Bass Extremes' video, Steve explains it really well. I still cant do it though

[Charling]

Hey, dont worry about hand size, I play a fairly large 24 fret bass and my hands are tiny! It doesnt ever impede my playing, you just have to learn to alter your arm position so you can get the 'maximum stretch' from your fingers.

[labrat]

I'm late reading this thread. Everyone talked about the technique of how to play them. I'll try a different spin.


By playing an open string (the fundemental), the string vibrates from the smallest vibration at the nut and bridge inward towards the maximum vibration at the middle of the string.

By placing a finger or thumb over the 12th fret (the middle of the string) and pluck the string, the string vibrates in 2 halves. The spot over the 12th fret in between the 2 vibrating halves, is called the "node", and is not vibrating itself. This is giving you an octave.

By doing the same over the 24th fret, you subdivide the string into 4 (the string is vibrating in quarters) vibrating sections (with 3 nodes); this is an octave higher still.

You can form nodes over the string at different intervals to gain notes other than octaves. So a node over the 7th fret gives a fifth (i think, it's been a long time- and i'm not sure I remember right).

However, when subdividing a string into multiple divisions, it's done easiest by forming the node closest to end being plucked. (if you want to form 5 vibrating segments- don't form the 2nd to last node- that will cause 2 uneven segments (a 2/5 and a 3/5 segment to resonate, which will not easily resolve into 5 vibrating sections);but forming the last node will easily subdivide the remaining string into equal 1/5 sections)

And segments resolve into the lowest denominator. So if you want 4 vibrating segments, don't form the middle of the three nodes, instead form the last node; otherwise you'll only get 2 segments (2/4 is the same as 1/2).

Also, by fretting with your left hand, you shorten the string length (and wave of vibration) and can form nodes by subdividing the string further down. Example: A harmonic over the 12th fret of an open E gives a higher E, while fretting it at G and making a node at the 15th fret (the halfway point between fretted G and the bridge) you get a higher G.

There's my spin, hope I didn't butcher it.