How do i know what note harmonics are?

[Asa Samuel]

Well i just watched victor wootens version of amazing grace and he used alot of harmonics.

I dont think i would do anything like that but it would be nice to be able to noodle around with some harmonics.

so how do i find out/know what notes the harmonics are and how would i go about trying to put them together to form a decent line/noodle-shaped-line?


Thanks.
Bass_Junkie.

[cybaril]

take a look at Jaco Pastorius "Modern electric bass" found on U-tube

[Kalyptic]

the 5th fret harmonic is the note of the string ur playing it.

[cybaril]

You can play an harmonic and then find the fretted equivalent on you fingerboard.

[Rune Bivrin]

Well, the cheesy way is to play them into a chromatic tuner...

Otherwise it's really a question maths. Harmonics occur at places that divide the string into parts 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5 and so on. That multiplies the frequency accordingly.

If a loose string plays frequency F,
12th fret is 2F = Octave,
7th fret is 3F = Octave + 5th
5th fret (or 24th) is 4F = 2 octaves
4th (or 9th) fret is 5F = ~2 octaves + 3rd
~3rd fret = 6F = ~2 octaves + 5th

You can go on closer to the nut, but it gets very difficult, and increasingly dissonant. There are 5 harmonics between 4th fret and 2nd.

You can also play the harmonic and compare it to the sound of fretted notes.

[Bruce Lindfield]

It's not about frets - but about subdividing the working string length!

[mutedeity]

http://www.freakguitar.com/licks.html

[machine gewehr]

I never worked on this or checked if it is correct.What I know about harmonics comes from Portrait of Tracy.As Wooten states it is an awesome composition to learn about harmonics,it gave me a great view of harmonics.I suggest you learn that song inside out.

[Bruce Lindfield]

It's just wrong - harmonics do not relate to frets - it is subdivision of working string length - the more accurate you are, the better the harmonics will ring out. It may not be so noticable on a guitar or short-scale bass - but on a "normal" bass guitar there is a distinct difference, apart from at the 12th fret.

[machine gewehr]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

It's just wrong - harmonics do not relate to frets - it is subdivision of working string length - the more accurate you are, the better the harmonics will ring out.

Ignore the chart and start working on Portrait of Tracy then.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

It's just wrong - harmonics do not relate to frets - it is subdivision of working string length - the more accurate you are, the better the harmonics will ring out. It may not be so noticable on a guitar or short-scale bass - but on a "normal" bass guitar there is a distinct difference, apart from at the 12th fret.

So I guess a tape measure is in order then?

The diagrams using frets give at least some sense of context as a guide. Of course the player will have to practice and refine where each harmonic is.

By the way it wouldn't matter which instrument you are playing if it is chromatically fretted since there is always a difference between just and chromatic intonation.

[idoru]

Originally Posted by Rune Bivrin

You can go on closer to the nut, but it gets very difficult, and increasingly dissonant. There are 5 harmonics between 4th fret and 2nd.

They sound particularly brutal when played with a good distortion

[Rune Bivrin]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

It's just wrong - harmonics do not relate to frets - it is subdivision of working string length - the more accurate you are, the better the harmonics will ring out. It may not be so noticable on a guitar or short-scale bass - but on a "normal" bass guitar there is a distinct difference, apart from at the 12th fret.

While that is theoretically true, the difference at 9th, 7th, 5th and 4th frets is minimal.

And anyway you look at it, the frets are very helpful for location reference.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Not on Double Bass or unmarked fretless!!

[Rune Bivrin]

Suddenly the Neil Young song "Helpless" comes to mind. I can't imagine why