Harmonics

Ahhh, the age old question of harmonics. I have no tricks really, I just use my finger to pluck them for natural harmonics, and for artificial harmonics, using thumb to mute, and index to pluck. I will let the wisdom of my betters answer this one.

Recent thread about harmonics here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20850

A lesson on harmonics at BassLobster here (click on Lessons on the left nav bar, and choose Lesson #9):

http://www.aic.se/basslob/lessons/HARMONICS/index.html

A great diagram by Talkbass regular Dave Grossman about harmonics on the fretboard here:

http://www.unpronounceable.com/bass/harmonics.html

I'm sure the harmonics experts will post here too.

Hello fellow Aussie!

 

if u use an effects pedal like overdrive or distortion the harmonics are much easier 2 hear the harmonics come out


ps hello fellow peeps from across the ditch

 

To get harmonics to ring out true, all you need is technique. Placing your fretting finger one millimeter the wrong way will make a difference to the harmonics that comes out, especially when trying to get them at odd positions like 2 1/4, 6 1/4 and such. As always, it's just a matter of practice!

 

I'm just getting into harmonics myself. I find them quite easy actually, although most of the time I use octave harmonics which are really easy to get out.

For artificial harmonics, I find it useful to keep the distance between the node finger (index for me) and the plucking finger (third for me) relatively large.

Memorizing the pattern of harmonics is a bit tedious, but once you have it one one open string, you can apply that pattern to every note on the fretboard.