Harmonics and ghost notes

[majamojablast]

I just learned what harmonics are and I've played around with it a bit and found that it makes a different sound every place I rest my left hand. This is problematic because it uses the same technique I use to play ghost notes. On tabs ghost notes are represented by an x and no fret number but ghost notes do sound different based on where I'm resting. Is my technique wrong? Is there a way to play ghost notes where the sound is always the same?

 

[Slade N]

Ghosts can sound different in different places because of the physics of sound/the way string work but any difference usually isn't an issue/noticed in the mix in my experienced as those differences are too subtle to stand out

 

[SteveCS]

I just learned what harmonics are and I've played around with it a bit and found that it makes a different sound every place I rest my left hand. This is problematic because it uses the same technique I use to play ghost notes. On tabs ghost notes are represented by an x and no fret number but ghost notes do sound different based on where I'm resting. Is my technique wrong? Is there a way to play ghost notes where the sound is always the same?

Have you tried playing the ghost notes with more than one left hand finger on the string? This should stop any harmonics ringing out if you happen to be in the vicinity of a node - the region between frets 0-5 is littered with nodes so multiple contact points are almost mandatory in this regard.

 

[majamojablast]

Have you tried playing the ghost notes with more than one left hand finger on the string? This should stop any harmonics ringing out if you happen to be in the vicinity of a node - the region between frets 0-5 is littered with nodes so multiple contact points are almost mandatory in this regard.

Yup, this fixes the issue. I hadn't tried until now because I hadn't noticed it was an issue. It still makes a noise based on where I mute but it's barely noticeable like the other person said.

 

[SteveCS]

...
It still makes a noise based on where I mute
...

If you are playing on your own there will always be some discernable sense of pitch even if it isn't easily recognisable as a 'note' and isn't particularly 'in tune' with anything. As and when you play with others most of that will get lost and the basic 'thud' should dominate.