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artificial harmonic?

#2
funkysurfer said:
I have incorporated a technique into my playing style which I think I know the name of. I believe it is an "artificial harmonic"

Bassically, I use the side of my thumb on my right hand to lightly mute the string and pluck/pull it with my index finger while normally fretting a note. Is this an artificial harmonic?

Thanks,
FS
Click to expand...

Yes, also refered to as false harmonics, or pinched harmonics, but artificial harmonics is also a widely accepted term. Some people also refer to them as closed harmonics, which to me, is more appropriate, since the harmonic isnt actually false. It performs the same way as an open harmonic does, it just shortens the string.
 
#4
see and I thought I was the only bassplayer doing that! Well my technique is pretty unorthodox. I use the outside edge of my palm, (the side next to the pinkie) Thats the part I touch the node of the string with to hit the false harmonic. I discoverd it by accident years ago and honed it from there. It's kind of tricky, I have to relearn it for each bass. But i get some crazy comments. Once I had I guy tell me I gave him whiplash because whenever he thought the guitarist was hitting harmonics it was me.
 
#5
Calaverasgrande said:
see and I thought I was the only bassplayer doing that! Well my technique is pretty unorthodox. I use the outside edge of my palm, (the side next to the pinkie) Thats the part I touch the node of the string with to hit the false harmonic. I discoverd it by accident years ago and honed it from there. It's kind of tricky, I have to relearn it for each bass. But i get some crazy comments. Once I had I guy tell me I gave him whiplash because whenever he thought the guitarist was hitting harmonics it was me.
Click to expand...

which finger do you pluck with?
 
#7
Calaverasgrande said:
see and I thought I was the only bassplayer doing that! Well my technique is pretty unorthodox. I use the outside edge of my palm, (the side next to the pinkie) Thats the part I touch the node of the string with to hit the false harmonic. I discoverd it by accident years ago and honed it from there. It's kind of tricky, I have to relearn it for each bass. But i get some crazy comments. Once I had I guy tell me I gave him whiplash because whenever he thought the guitarist was hitting harmonics it was me.
Click to expand...

I do it diifferently. The side of my thumb rests on the string in front of my index finger, muting as I pluck with either the index/middle finger. It sounds pretty good, especially when doing slides. Nothing like a regular harmonic though, which I also like.

It has taken me a long time to achieve it on a rather consistent basis. I use it frequently. It is all in the feel. If your thumb rests to heavy on the string - you get nothing.
 
#10
I am not familiar with the english terms much. So I'd appreciate some help here.

Is there a special term for fretting a note and pinching it's new harmonic node or is it called the same with just pinching around.

For example are these two called the same?

Thumbing the 12th fret open and ringing with index/middle
Fretting the 6th fret, thumbing the 18th fret and ringing it with index/middle

I'd think not but I'm asking anyway.

Also, I do this also with strumming(?). Good for percussive play. Hard to be fast though. It's like, fret 4th, hit string to snap from 16th fret.

I guess it's also called something :)
 
#11
artistanbul said:
I am not familiar with the english terms much. So I'd appreciate some help here.

Is there a special term for fretting a note and pinching it's new harmonic node or is it called the same with just pinching around.

For example are these two called the same?

Thumbing the 12th fret open and ringing with index/middle
Fretting the 6th fret, thumbing the 18th fret and ringing it with index/middle

I'd think not but I'm asking anyway.

Also, I do this also with strumming(?). Good for percussive play. Hard to be fast though. It's like, fret 4th, hit string to snap from 16th fret.

I guess it's also called something :)
Click to expand...
Invalid Link Removed

Thats a pretty good explanation of it all.
 
#15
It's exactly the same as a "regular" harmonic but over a fretted note.
They appear on the same nodes as open harmonics, just translate positions along with the fret used.

For example, open harmonic on D string, 5th fret, plays a D 2 octaves higher than the root note.
Now fret an E on 2nd fret of the same string. Harmonic on 7th fret (2+5) plays an E 2 octaves higher.

They're just a bit tricky to achieve because it takes 3 actions with 2 hands (fret a note, finger node, pluck string).
If they happen right over a fret, you can tap them, too.
 

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