Portrait of Tracy... no, not the 2(6) harmonic...

moopants · #1 03-14-2007, 07:48 PM

I was going to play this solo for my school's talent show. I have everything close to perfect as I can get, except the last note. Is there a certain way to stretch from the 9th stop on G, D, and A to the 13th stop on the same strings? I can do it on a fretted bass, but on my fretless, when I stretch to the 13th stop, my other fingers move, thus the harmonics don't ring correctly. Help!!!

HaVIC5 · #2 03-15-2007, 08:36 AM

Its nearly impossible to do that harmonic on a fretless. Jaco himself didnt even record it on a fretless, he recorded POT on a fretted bass.

need4mospd · #3 03-15-2007, 09:32 AM

Just keep stretching it out a bit more. The 9(13) chord was a tough one to get for me too. I usually have to shift the bass a bit before I get it right without any bum notes. You can also hit the harmonics close to the bridge if you just can't get it.

rockwarnick · #4 03-15-2007, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by need4mospd

You can also hit the harmonics close to the bridge if you just can't get it.

Thats a good point, I never really thought about that until now. You may just want to find the correct harmonic closer to the bridge, pluck the strings with your index and do the stop with your thumb. or however is comfortable for you. No stretching need

rockstar744 · #5 03-15-2007, 11:00 AM

I hold down the second fret with my left hand and touch the string at the 6th fret with my right hand, then pluck with one of my free right fingers.

OrangeSun · #6 03-16-2007, 01:29 AM

you can cheat by holding down the 9th fret, then taking your plucking hand and holding your thumb over the 13th and plucking with your middle or ring finger. I used to do that when I was all about harmonics. It takes a bit to get the hang of it, but it works pretty well.

visa · #7 03-16-2007, 02:22 AM

there is no such thing as "cheating" when it comes to making music. nobody is judging you- if at the end of the day, you have to do something differently to get the sound you want, go ahead!

Basshole · #8 03-16-2007, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

Its nearly impossible to do that harmonic on a fretless. Jaco himself didnt even record it on a fretless, he recorded POT on a fretted bass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjjin47XFko

This gentleman is on TB. Quite a player.

Figjam · #9 03-16-2007, 12:50 PM

I know this thread isnt about the 2(6) harmonic but i remember someone saying there was another way to do it but I dont remember what it was?

moopants · #10 03-16-2007, 04:26 PM

The 2(6) can be done with an artificial harmonic. I just do the stretch. I have big hands, so it's not a problem to me. I just can't bar notes and stretch. The 9(13) can be done with AH, too. If you can bar AHs correctly, you can fret or stop the notes on the 9th stops, then get really close to the the 24th stop, and do an AH bar.

werbo1 · #11 03-16-2007, 04:48 PM

the 2(6) can also be done by holding the 1st on the D string and doing it artificially over the 25th (where it would be) fret for a double octave harmonic

fryBASS · #12 03-16-2007, 09:49 PM

he's not talking about the 2(6) :|

werbo1 · #13 03-16-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fryBASS

he's not talking about the 2(6) :|

hrmm...maybe someone asked about the 2(6) a few posts up?

Rogue181 · #14 03-19-2007, 07:07 PM

I've been having difficulty with that one for a few months now, and I think I just got it! I'm using my left thumb for the
9s and my left pinky for the 13s. When I use my thumb I don't get that fanning out problem that happens when I try to use my index for the 9s.

Sir Edward V · #15 03-23-2007, 12:14 AM

I'm pretty sure Jaco Pastorious is the spawn of Satan...

...or has HUGE fingers...

mlbarlow · #16 03-24-2007, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

Its nearly impossible to do that harmonic on a fretless. Jaco himself didnt even record it on a fretless, he recorded POT on a fretted bass.

wow, I had no idea! and i've been trying to get those darned harmonics on my fretless all these years!

Miracle Cure · #17 03-24-2007, 07:29 PM

All I do to get the last note for my left hand is just put my thumb low on the neck and barre the D and G strings at 9th fret and then do the same at the 13th fret but without pressing down. With my right hand I hook my index and middle fingernails under the string and then lightly pluck near the bridge.

The key to it is to make sure your thumb is low on the neck and you turn those mids and high up.

Bassplayer_479 · #18 03-24-2007, 07:41 PM

i cant even believe some of you guys have that monster down enough to be discussing it lol!

MrWalker · #19 03-25-2007, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeSun

you can cheat by holding down the 9th fret, then taking your plucking hand and holding your thumb over the 13th and plucking with your middle or ring finger. I used to do that when I was all about harmonics. It takes a bit to get the hang of it, but it works pretty well.

As has been mentioned...

There's no cheating... who said the way Jaco played it was the only correct way? As long as you create that harmonic and make it sound good, it's not cheating.

I use the right hand method of creating harmonics a lot. It's a lot easier to play it that way. You can play whatever you want, as long as you subdivide the string correctly.

I've seen people draw "fake fret position" markers from the neck and towards the bridge to assist when playing harmonics this way. It's efficient, sounds just as good (or even better), and is a great way of extending the bass.