5 Types of Harmonics used by Guitarists
Finding those ethereal bell type sounds
Harmonics or overtones are used by many musicians to create a special effect or reach pitches that are not normally attainable on their instrument. They can sound beautiful, creepy or as we will see, violent. Some sing from the instrument more easily than others, and are easier for even a novice to achieve, and some others like ‘Harp Harmonics’ can take years in order to become proficient.
1. Natural Harmonics
These are probably the easiest to play and the first that many guitarists learn. There are somewhere between 19 and 24 frets on most guitars, but only at particular frets do these ethereal sounds appear. That would be at the 12th, the 7th, the 5th and the 4th. There are others but they become increasingly difficult to hear and perform (although having a highly distorted electric guitar can help as we will see).
Normally when playing, a guitarist will place their finger on the wood between two frets and press down. Harmonics are different in two key ways. The player will hover their finger directly over the fret and will lightly touch but not press down, then the right hand is used to pluck the string and immediately after, the left hand hovering over the fret must be lifted.
It’s a timing issue. If the player lifts their hand too soon they will get a normal note, but too late and the sound of the harmonic will become dulled and not ring out properly as it should.
2. Pinch Harmonics
This second category is usually played my Rock and Metal guitarists to create a more aggressive form of these sounds. It usually requires and helps greatly to have a highly distorted guitar in order to work. Something I wish someone would have told me as a teenager when I started 19 years ago. There was a lot of wasted time, how easy it would have been if YouTube had existed.
These pinched harmonics are achieved by plucking the string with a pick (normally) but as you strike the string you let the side of your thumb catch the string on the way past and this creates a harmonic.
3. Touch harmonics
This type really is a special effect. The other harmonics on this list are used melodically at least some of the time, this one is just for show, almost like a magic trick.
The player trills, (a fast series of pitches between two notes) usually on the low strings and then runs their finger along the string they’re trilling, the side of the hand can also be used.
Go to 7:05 to hear an example of touch harmonics by Joe Satriani.
Speaking of special effects…
As well as the traditional types of harmonics, modern technology has led to other tricks. Steve Vai has a guitar with two switches, one is a sustainer that makes the notes he’s playing sustain (no surprises there) and other makes the note rise by an octave.
I love how Vai uses these things to create something theatrical for the audience. He creates the illusion that the octave jump is created by blowing on the guitar or later his tongue. The people seem to be fooled or they’re just going along with it. Watch his right hand when he blows on the guitar (reaching for the switch). Nowadays with YouTube, lots of people know how he did it, but back in 2001, when I first saw him do it, I had no idea.
Right, back to the list.
4. Tap harmonics
This one almost goes hand in hand with an entire genre of guitar music, specifically that of alternate tunings acoustic guitar e.g. DADGAD or Celtic guitar to more original tunings.
Here the player slaps directly over the fret with the right hand, like a more aggressive version of natural harmonics.
There is a fair bit of normal tapping here as well but watch and listen for when he slaps around the 12th fret for the harmonics.
5. Artificial Harmonics and Harp Harmonics
The problem with natural harmonics is that they only occur at certain places along the neck, but players can get the other notes to be harmonics as well with artificial harmonics. So remember before, I said that natural harmonics occur at the 12th, 7th, 5th and 4th frets. Well that is with open strings, but if a player put their left hand down, let’s say at the 2nd fret and then added 12 and pluck directly over the 14th fret (2+12), that note at the 2nd fret will now be heard as a harmonic.
Unlike natural harmonics where the left hand hovers at the harmonic point/nodes, this time the right hand index finger will do it and then use the thumb to pluck behind it to create the note.
If you then combine these artificial harmonics with open strings, it creates some of the most beautiful textures on the guitar (Harp Harmonics).
The opening 20 seconds are just magical. Notice how Tommy is playing chords with his left hand, and so is having to count the correct number above for every string for the harmonic that he wants. Plus 12 or 7 or 5 etc. Beautiful.
Harmonics are just one of many tools that musicians have for creating music for many different emotions, though it does seem to be one of the least known or understood by non-musicians. But next time you here angelic bell type tones on a guitar, you’ll know how to talk about these sounds.
Warm Regards