Harmonics PAST the fret? Portrait of Tracy problems...

[Fassa Albrecht]

I'm currently taking a fresh look at one of my fave basslines ever, Portrait of Tracy by Jaco. Now I was always under the impression that harmonics were played by placing the finger ON the fret. But one of the instructions for the score I'm using is this:

''Harmonics are located approximately 3/8'' past 2nd fret''

This has really confused me. Can someone who knows this piece well give me some help?

[JeffBTZ]

Harmonics do appear on frets, but also between frets. It's more about how the string is divided up than where frets are.

For instance, there are numerous harmonics between the 2nd and 3rd frets. I don't have much luck when I try to use them, because they're harder to find... But they're there.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Now I was always under the impression that harmonics were played by placing the finger ON the fret.

Not necessarily. Check this post out:

What is a Harmonic and how do you preform one?

Basically, for finding/understanding harmonics you must visualize the whole string length. Not the frets. Of course, they are the best guide for finding the low-numbered overtones, but for the higher ones you must forget about them. Again, think about dividing the string in equal parts, regardless of where the frets are located. You can find lots of harmonics close to the bridge, and there are no frets there.

Hope this helps.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

I'm currently taking a fresh look at one of my fave basslines ever, Portrait of Tracy by Jaco. Now I was always under the impression that harmonics were played by placing the finger ON the fret.

Jaco? What frets?

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Jaco? What frets?

Jaco video by alvabass on Photobucket

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Jaco video by alvabass on Photobucket

I know, and was also being a bit facetious, but that has nothing to do with his approach to harmonics. That 3/8" inch description is bogus too -- it'll depend on scale length.

In the three times I saw him play live there was never a sign of a fretted bass anywhere either.

[Groove Master]

First, the scale lenght has nothing to do with harmonics placement. It is all relative with the frets. This mean that the harmonics that are played over the frets will always be over the frets and the ones that are a bit offset will be offset by the same ratio no matter the scale length and the fact that there is an inch measurement of 3/8" is probably relative to a standard bass of 34" scale. That is not the correct way to indicate a harmonic at an odd place but if you understand the indications giving to you, you'll find it.

Starting from the fourth fret which will produce the major third of your open string, this harmonic will be a bit offset torward the top nut compared to ones on the 5th,7th and 12th frets. From the 3rd fret it gets pretty crowded up there and best thing is to try it out by yourself . With a good set up and proper plucking technique you can arpeggiate a dominant chord with the ninth and the #11. the 2 lydian chords that Jaco plays at the end of the bridge are placed between the 3rd and 2nd frets but closer to that latter.

Hope this helps

[Billnc]

Seriously, a way to get the harmonics together is to play them like a bugle, you can play all the bugle calls using the harmonics, over frets and between them. They might sound hokey but you get a feel for harmonics Stay on one string.

[slombovia]

As usual, a lot of misinformation. But Alvaro Martín Gómez A. got it right.

If you divide a given string equally into 2,3,4,6,7 etc etc (less and less practical the higher you go), the harmonics are found at the division points which are not necessarily over the fret.

Aslo, using this form of dividing strings into harmonics lines up with diatonic scales, some notes of which are a little off from the chromatic tuning of a fretted instrument.

[Fassa Albrecht]

Methinks I'll be just sitting down and working this out by ear...

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by Groove Master

First, the scale lenght has nothing to do with harmonics placement.
<snip>
the fact that there is an inch measurement of 3/8" is probably relative to a standard bass of 34" scale.

Can't have it both ways.

[grendle]

Do a search here for harmonics chart or something like that. I posted a link with a map. There are a few hundred harmonics available , most are in-between frets. Some frets have 4-5 in-between them.

[Groove Master]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Can't have it both ways.

LOL I know what you mean by that. I was trying to be clear............not!

[grendle]

http://home.swipnet.se/freakguitar/licks.html

Here ya go

[Lesfunk]

The string don't know or care where the fret is. The string is just the string....

[champbassist]

The most useful harmonics chart I've ever found on the internet (click to enlarge):

Originally Posted by Fassa Albrecht

Methinks I'll be just sitting down and working this out by ear...

With respect to Portrait of Tracy, I'd say that's definitely the best approach, especially for some particular harmonics, rather than depending on vague instructions in scores/tabs that may have made sense to the creator but may not be understandable to the reader.

[UnfortunateTony]

With the right touch you can make a harmonic anywhere on the string. Just takes practice to find which ones sound the best and a good memory to know where they are.

[alec]

And distortion helps to bring them out.

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by alec

And distortion helps to bring them out.

I'm not sure it'd be any good playing Portrait Of Tracy with distortion, though

[Fassa Albrecht]

Originally Posted by champbassist

I'm not sure it'd be any good playing Portrait Of Tracy with distortion, though

I might try this with my BassPOD and post clips.