Pinched Harmonics

Author: Jimi Savage

Where are they used?

Pinched harmonics are very distinctive which have a sharp piercing tone. Players use them to highlight certain phrases or elements in their playing. Often when playing on a clean guitar tone, they are not as noticeable, but when overdrive or distortion is added, they can stand out very easily, and the screech sound becomes very characteristic. When you have become confident in the use of pinched harmonics, you will be able to use them to add some spice and aggression to your licks.

How To Produce Pinched Harmonics!

To produce a pinched harmonic, you move your picking hand down the string to find the harmonic point or node. As you do this you need to 'dig and cut' into the string with your plectrum and catch the string (behind the pick) with the flesh of your thumb directly after you have picked the string. The best way to do this is to angle the left side of your pick down (or the right side if your left handed), and strike the string with the sharp edge of the plectrum. This will cause the string to slide underneath the point of the pick. At this point your thumb should touch the string and a harmonic should be heard. Each pinched harmonic will sound different depending on where about on the string you produce the harmonic. This is due to harmonic series.

The Harmonic or Node

Beyond the fretboard, you have to imagine that there are invisible frets that continue all the way to the bridge of the guitar. This will allow you to see what pitch the harmonic will sound if it is played accurately. This is because harmonic points occur all up and down the length of the string. The strongest harmonic point is at the 12 fret because this is the exact halfway point of the string (between the nut and the saddle). The next strongest harmonic points are at the 7th, 6th and 9 frets. Harmonic nodes become more frequent, closer together and higher in pitch the further away from the 12 fret you get.

Adding Bends & Vibrato

A very interesting effect is to pinch a harmonic and bend up to the desired note you wish to hear, whilst adding vibrato. This will give a much more aggressive tone than merely bending as ordinary. Vibrato and pitch wavering can be produced with the whammy bar. Try pulling out a pinched harmonic from the open string and dive the pitch down with the use of the whammy bar. This will sound very dramatic and is similar to a bomb being released. For good examples of this listen to some Joe Satriani works or any Van Halen album.