pinch harmonics

[steve]

ok, I think I know how to preform a pinch harmonic but I need to know if I'm doing it right..... to preform a pinch hamonic do you:

1) play a note

2) then "tap" (put the side of your thumb) on a strong harmonic using heavy distortion???

[drwscefn]

I have found it best to find a good harmonic point (somewhere around the neck pickup) and aim to stike it there. I see the pinch harmonic as one note, so I hold the pick a little higher to expose the side of my thumb, so when i strike to the string, i dampen it straight away with my thumb

thereby 'pinching' it between thumb and pick. - I don't know if thats where the terminology comes from, or even if i'm doing it right, but it gives me the right sound.

[steve]

thanks

[Angus]

When you were first decribing how you thought to do a 'Pinch" harmonic, was actually a touch harmonic: when you pluck a string and touch the string at a point of harmony, thus creating the harmonic effect. Also, when doing Pinch harmonics, try picking at an angle, with your thumbs finger nail pointing to the guitar's neck, this will give your thumb easier access to the string.

[MetalRevolution]

To me there is no right and wrong way to do anything. Playing guitar is all about personal preference. But I can tell you the way I do it. It might not work for you, but I can tell you that I can get a sweet sounding harmonic from anywhere on the guitar using this method. Using a heavy distortion, hold the pick perpendicular to the string. Almost simultaneously, pick the string and touch the side of your thumb (the part at the joint) to the string in the same spot. I found it was the easiest to pull it off on the third and fourth strings. I also keep my selector on the bridge pickup. The best sounding harmonics, in my opinion, come from picking the string just above my center pickup, in between my neck and bridge pick ups.


Heavy metal till the end.