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How to Play Artificial Harmonics on Guitar

Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Related Tags: harmonics | finger | plucking | strings | index

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

  • Guitar
  • Practice

How to Play Artificial Harmonics on Guitar

  • Step 1:
    Start with the low string as harmonics are easier there. Fret the first fret.
  • Step 2:
    Place the index finger of your picking hand over the 13th fret as if you were going to play a natural harmonic there.
  • Step 3:
    Pluck the string with the middle finger of your plucking hand while keeping your index finger on the string.
  • Step 4:
    Remove your index finger immediately after plucking the string.
  • Step 5:
    Practice until you can produce a ringing harmonic sound equally.
  • Step 6:
    Fret the string at different points and add that many frets to your harmonic finger location to produce further artificial harmonics

Tips & Warnings

  • Practice with all the strings as different strings require different strengths of plucking and touch on the harmonic.
  • You can play entire songs and melodies with artificial harmonics that do not depend on the notes available on the open strings.

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