harmonics example for BENharperROX

scotty_b · #1 June 17th, 2006

Hey
These are a couple of very short examples on harmonics.
The first is just the harmonics found at the 5th, 7th and 12th frets.
I then play alternating harmonics with the 12th fret and open strings. To do this I use my index finger and thumb to sound the harmonic and then my ring finger to play an open string. I play with a thumb pick by the way. When I discovered how to get these sounds I could only get enough volume by using a thumbpick. I have since gotten rather used to it and use a thumbpick for almost all solo guitar playing now.
The next is a Gm11 chord (simply bar the 3rd fret) and use the same idea.
The last is one of my favourite sounds on the acoustic. I am playing fretted notes mixed with harmonics and playing pull-offs on the first and second strings as well.
As I mentioned in that other post, Lenny Breau was the master of it, but Tommy Emmanuel is pretty damn good, so was Chet, and so is Doyle Dykes and Tuck Andress. All worth checking out if you want to hear this technique, and worth checking out anyway.

BENharperROX · #2 June 18th, 2006

wow! I love it! Sounds very cool. Almost like a little John Butler...

Very, uh, how to say, uh, natural i guess. woodsy i guess. I dunno i like it and could def put it into my music if i learn it. thanks

joe_strummer · #3 June 18th, 2006

Very nicely played and mixed, well done

scotty_b · #4 June 18th, 2006

Thanks Joe
I only did it to provide an example of the cascading effect for BENharper to hear as he was not familiar with the technique.
I might record a piece that features that technique soon. It is one of my favourite sounds.

cshude · #5 June 18th, 2006

Man, that's cool- harmonics is likely a weak point for many of us. Time to get to work!

Jim · #6 June 18th, 2006

Very cool!

Something I certainly need to learn about myself.

Jim

scotty_b · #7 June 18th, 2006

Tommy produced a DVD once called 'Up Close'. I don't know if it is still in print or not, but he breaks down the technique quite well on that. It is a great effect to put into solo acoustic pieces to create something different.
I think this is the thing that I struggled with perhaps more than any other technique to get it good enough to be heard in public. I worked on it quite a while ago now, but I think it took me around 6 months before I felt I would show anyone...maybe I am just a slow learner!

cshude · #8 June 27th, 2006

Was checking out some Tommy Emmanuel vids on youtube (the man is incredible and I will definitely go see him next time he's in MI area)- found that someone posted a lesson video from him on how to do the arpeggiated harmonics-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuR0t...lassical%20gas

scotty_b · #9 June 27th, 2006

That segment is from the DVD/Video I mentioned called 'Up Close'.