Pinch Harmonics ala Bass?

Mr. Moustache · #1 03-02-2009, 11:25 PM

The guitarist in my band was just messing around on my electric and we got into a debate if pinch harmonics are even possible on bass, after many many attempts on his part.

Honestly, I have no idea, but I figured this would be the right crowd to ask. Sound/video examples would be great too if you know of any!

kesslari · #2 03-02-2009, 11:32 PM

The classic example is Jaco on Weather Report's "Birdland".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqashW66D7o

Mr. Moustache · #3 03-02-2009, 11:39 PM

pinch harmonics with no pick? That's something I'd like to learn...

I should've thought of that song... Then again, I always thought it was just the Jaco magic making that sound.

mellobud · #4 03-02-2009, 11:47 PM

I find that my main spots for a good pinch harmonic on my jazz is slightly in front of the neck pickup and less slightly ahead of the bridge.

I use a light touch with my thumb and pluck with the fingers...like in the video.

I can also get a cool pinch harmonic in that neck spot with the heel of my hand as i slap.

You just have to find the sweet spots and have a light touch.

M.Wrenn · #5 03-02-2009, 11:48 PM

yeah i pick with my fingers and quickly brush the string with my thumb, usually works

Hawaii Islander · #6 03-02-2009, 11:54 PM

Check out some of Billy Sheehan's vids on Youtube. He uses pinch harmonics in a rock context. I seem to recall seeing him do a demonstration of it on an instructional video excerpt on Youtube as well.

Kenji · #7 03-02-2009, 11:56 PM

billy sheehan has his instructional books that teach pinch harmonics. i can vouch it is worth the pickup if you want to learn quick.

hachi kid · #8 03-03-2009, 07:49 AM

yes they are very possible. I've been using them for about 3 years. I, of course, learned how to do it with inspiration from Billy Sheehan. and no, I don't use a pick. I just pluck the string with my index finger and lightly mute the string with my thumb where ever I want the pinch harmonic to happen. it's not hard. only took me an hour or so to get the technique down, from what I remember. and if I get a bit of overdrive, or some distortion, I can really have those pinch harmonics come screaming out of the amp just like a guitarist can get them. I've confused many guitarist and drummers since I've been using them. it's fun. hehe.

Joseph.

Bruce Lindfield · #9 03-03-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

The classic example is Jaco on Weather Report's "Birdland".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqashW66D7o

But I wouldn't call that "pinch" - but rather false or artificial harmonics.

This is a precise technique based on subdividing the string working length - in this case using the thumb as a node.

It is known to classical musicians and is specified in the score for pieces like Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" - written about a 100 years ago!!

(Jaco was a self-proclaimed Stravinsky fan!)

hachi kid · #10 03-03-2009, 07:59 AM

no, that's a pinch harmonic, just not done in a rock setting. a pinch harmonic is also false, or artificial harmonics.

Joseph.

Bruce Lindfield · #11 03-03-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hachi kid

no, that's a pinch harmonic, just not done in a rock setting. a pinch harmonic is also false, or artificial harmonics.

Joseph.

Sorry - you're wrong - pinch harmonics are very different and usually using a pick on guitar.

Artificial or false harmonics are very precise and a long-defined technique that existed well before electric guitars!

**john turner** · #12 03-03-2009, 08:13 AM

bruce is right. a pinch harmonic cancels out the fundamental of a note after it is played, whereas the standard artificial harmonic only produces the harmonic note itself, without the fundamental. the end results end up being the same but the process is different.

pinch = fret note, strike note, immediately hit note with thumb on picking hand at harmonic node to cancel fundamental but allow harmonic to ring

artificial = fret note, touch harmonic node with finger or thumb on plucking hand, then strike/pluck string while touching node.

see the difference?

the reason why folks call what jaco did "pinch" harmonics was because it looks like he's pinching the string, but really he's doing artificials.

steve bailey has a cool way of doing those too, only he hits the node with his index finger, and plucks with his middle.

ElephantTalk · #13 03-03-2009, 08:28 AM

According to some books and interviews with Jaco, he always talked about his "artificial harmonics".

I can nail artificials all day long, but there is something about pinching that I can't get. Obviously, it's a timing thing.

lemur821 · #14 03-03-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

pinch = fret note, strike note, immediately hit note with thumb on picking hand at harmonic node to cancel fundamental but allow harmonic to ring

artificial = fret note, touch harmonic node with finger or thumb on plucking hand, then strike/pluck string while touching node.

You really think that's a meaningful distinction?

JimK · #15 03-03-2009, 12:41 PM

I do.
Way back I played a little guitar.
Pinch, as JT, writes-
The note is actually stuck & then the correct amount of flesh from the thumb (w/ the correct amount of pressure) does its thing.
When I did mess around with the guitar, I used a pick...I'm pretty sure I pinched harmonics on my bass (with a pick) while at band practice...just to **** with the guitarist.
I would think it's possible with just fingers, too.

**john turner** · #16 03-03-2009, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemur821

You really think that's a meaningful distinction?

actually, yeah. true pinch harmonics seem to be very difficult to do on bass and have them ring out as well as artificial ones.

experiment - pluck an open string and then touch the twelfth fret. now pluck the same string -while- touching it. which harmonic rings out the best? to me, the latter is more clear.

Metal Matt · #17 03-03-2009, 07:48 PM

They are very possible, and I use them in one of my bands new songs (no recordings of it yet).. Easier on the D and G strings, but I can do them on the A string sometimes. I play in Drop B, on 110, 90, 75, 55 Ernie Ball strings if that matters at all. Running through a high gain fuzz pedal helps too. ha

I'm still inconsistent with them though, but most of the time I can get them to ring out just as loud as a guitar player doing them would be.

castleshade13 · #18 07-25-2009, 03:49 PM

billy sheehan plays pinched harmonics,

i'm trying too learn the way he plays but i guess he's been playing 30+ years i've been playing 4 =S

smem · #19 07-25-2009, 03:59 PM

I've been able to pull off pinch harmonics, with a pick, and not using a pedal more to see if it was possible than anything else. I have as yet to find any musical application yet, but that doesn't mean you couldn't.

deckard · #20 07-29-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Sorry - you're wrong - pinch harmonics are very different and usually using a pick on guitar.

Artificial or false harmonics are very precise and a long-defined technique that existed well before electric guitars!

What he said!

For a listen re: pinch harmonics, check out ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons - he is a master of that particular technique...