Harmonics training (Natural, fake and artifical)

Gregah · #1 08-10-2008, 11:11 AM

I always loved the way harmonics sound, I did (by accident) learn how to do natural when I was about 1 ½ year into playing bass (I am now a 3 year old bass-player), and after finding about Jaco I just love incoperating harmonics into my playing.
But the problem isnt the natural ones, no it's doing artifical and fake harmonics, so I am now asking my fellow bass-players for help on any lesson you can give me in how to do fake and artificial (there is something called fake harmonics for bass, right?).

The problem I have when trying to do artificial is that I never really get a good sound, it depends a bit on strings and mics + settings on the amp, but I always go for maximum on high and mid, with no treble and less bass.
So, can anyone help me on how to make my technique better?

I got a SX (Custom handmade) Vintage series precision bass, with a Fender Rumble 100 amplification too, if it helps you to help me :P

steve66 · #2 08-10-2008, 11:21 AM

Check out www.bassplayer.tv

Artist Features > Steve Bailey

namraj · #3 08-10-2008, 11:21 AM

Bridge pick up needs to be on if not soloed (not sure if this helps for artificial harmonics or not). make sure ur thumb or finger (what ever is doing the additional note is exactly at the point an octave higher than the fingered note. and i leave my treble on.

Jazz Ad · #4 08-10-2008, 11:27 AM

Harmonics are harmonics. Regardless of the name you give them, they're just the same thing.
The main issue with "fake" or "artificial" harmonics is that you have 3 things to do with only 2 hands : fret string, press harmonic node, pluck string.

Gregah · #5 08-10-2008, 11:48 AM

steve66 ; Thanks for the link, appreciate it alot

namraj ; Looks like I have to train even harder then, heh.
Jazz Ad ; Ok, note taken

Appreciate the fast answer from you dudes and dudettes!

Deacon_Blues · #6 08-10-2008, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namraj

Bridge pick up needs to be on if not soloed (not sure if this helps for artificial harmonics or not).

The bridge pickup advice is right, but the OP has a P-style bass, probably without a bridge pickup....

I don't know about the term "fake harmonics", never heard it before. I prefer talking about artificial harmonics, if that is what you mean.

Bruce Lindfield · #7 08-10-2008, 04:22 PM

Accuracy is key to making harmonics "sing out" - but don't think about frets!!

Harmonics doesn't necessarily correspond with frets and especialy if you are talking about artifical harmonics - it is all about accurately subdividing working string length!

The less accuarate then it's more likely the harmonics will "choke" - but if you make sure that for example, you are exactly halving the distance between left hand and bridge with the node, then they will sound louder!

Gregah · #8 08-11-2008, 10:28 AM

Alright, I cant actually say that I learned that much from the Steve Bailey video (but goddamn, he sure can get alot of harmonics!

) but it was overall pretty decent, think I've gotten a better hang now on where to play to get it to sound right.
And no I dont really have a bridge pickup, I am really tempted to get a Jazz Bass when I get more money, probably a fretless too.

But, I was also thinking of changing mics in the bass itself, any tips on any special ones that'll help making the harmonics getting a brighter and clearer tone?