Reading Harmonics trouble/Portrait of Tracy

The_Orlonater · #1 05-09-2008, 08:05 PM

Well, since I'm not so good a Treble clef, and reading harmonics at that clef, I'm having problems reading the harmonics and understanding which ones they are... I know a few, I got a bit better at Treble Clef, but still.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9tT_...eature=related

The sheet music is in that video constantly.

http://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?i...cschartlt8.jpg

That's the harmonic chart I'm using..

An example of my problems would be.

Which D harmonic would that be?( In bass clef it would look like an F)

Can you guys just explain for a measure ,or two which fret has that harmonic and so on..

My explanations always suck, so just ask me to clear something up.

middlebit · #2 05-10-2008, 05:59 AM

Hey Orlonater!
I'm not 100% sure exactly what you're asking but I can give it a shot. If you had problems matching the written music to the chart, here's how it works.
Here are the first 4 harmonic notes of the melody (G, D, F# & E) marked on the harmonics chart:

I think the chart makes it difficult to make out exactly where to find them, but I play the notes roughly on the frets, meaning 5th and 3rd on the G-string, 4th on the D-string and 3rd on the A-string. You might have to adjust your fingering just slightly for the last two to ring out properly. Pick near the bridge for a clearer sound.
Anyway, those were the first four notes. The next phrase uses the same positions, just a string lower, like so:

Nearly the same again a string lower for the next phrase, only move up to play the B and E harmonics at 7th and 12th frets, respectively, on the E-string:

That was all the harmonics in the first bar. I hope it helps -that should get you started, anyway.

The_Orlonater · #3 05-10-2008, 09:59 PM

Dame, now I need help in the 2nd measure.

GeneralElectric · #4 05-10-2008, 10:59 PM

In The Essential Jaco Pastorius they explain that all the upstemmed notes in the treble clef are harmonics. The trickiest harmonic for me is this crazy stretch (D#) harmonic that he does by fretting the second fret on the A string and using his pinky on the 6th fret for the harmonic.

The_Orlonater · #5 05-10-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

In The Essential Jaco Pastorius they explain that all the upstemmed notes in the treble clef are harmonics. The trickiest harmonic for me is this crazy stretch (D#) harmonic that he does by fretting the second fret on the A string and using his pinky on the 6th fret for the harmonic.

Want to help me with the some of the piece? Like those 3 quarter notes with the 3 over them? Where would I put my finger on that low F#,B, and E?

middlebit · #6 05-11-2008, 03:30 AM

"Helping" you implies that you do some of the work yourself. I'd suggest you have a look at some convincing youtube videos of "Portrait" and check out the players' hand positions. You should be able to work it out from comparing the charts and the video. The more work you put into working it out, the longer it'll stick with you.