A technique for artificial harmonics (+video)

[shai-ga]

This is how it goes:
You place your right hand in a normal playing position.
Your thumb is pointing the headstock, slightly angled,
then you pluck a string with the 2nd or 1st finger, and pluck downwards with your thumb, with a gentle touch on the string.

Adventages:
1. Both your playing finger and your "touching" finger are moving - makes sense physically and rhythmically.
2. No need to adapt weird palm \ finger shapes \ positions:
(

 

[K-Frog]

I thought that was "the way"

 

[father of fires]

This is how I've always done it.

 

[NKUSigEp]

This is pretty much the same as pinch harmonics without a pick.

 

[shai-ga]

I guess I wasn't aware of any other method besides the one that Steve Bailey shows..

 

[father of fires]

I guess I wasn't aware of any other method besides the one that Steve Bailey shows..

I didn't realize there was another way either. I'll have to check out the Steve Bailey technique.

 

[probert]

actually very similar to harp harmonics, what e.g. Steve Morse does on guitar but with the thumb playing the role of the index finger (which totaly makes sense for bass guitar). Notice that "harpy" sound opposed to the "pinchy"of the pinched harmonics. Very nice; thanks - haven't thought about it that way.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

I guess I wasn't aware of any other method besides the one that Steve Bailey shows..

And that is the wonder of the web, it removes wonder and lets you find out for sure.

 

[raymondl3]

It's a convenient technique, but you get a much better sound by plucking as far back from the harmonic node as you can, like with the 4th finger of the right hand.

 

[pacojas]

that technique is very popular as well as old. (i first saw it done about 30yrs ago)