The idea is to insert a single octave harmonic into
a typical chord form to give it a chimey texture and
create intriguing interval clusters that differ from
what you’re actually fretting.
Mastering Artificial
Harmonics
a sonic equal. With a little effort, you’ll be
able to balance these different timbres.
Now let’s try octave harmonics on the
third string (Fig. 3). We’re fretting four-note
chords in measures 1-3, yet producing what
sounds like five-note voicings. And each chord
contains a second as the highest interval, courtesy of the additional harmonic. Cmaj7 has
a minor second (B–C), Bm7 and Am7 each
have a major second (A–B and G–A, respectively), and Gmaj9 has a major second (A-B).
This last chord—Gmaj9—offers an
opportunity to engage in a bit of flashy
fingering. Some tips: After hitting the open
E (and of beat 2), hammer the F# and A,
then duck back to the 3rd string to hit the
harmonic before plucking the A again. As
you fret the low G with your thumb, hold
all the other notes so they sustain and fade
out together. With the harmonic, the voicing
spans two octaves plus a major third—wow!
You can use judiciously placed artificial
harmonics to spice up riffs too. Fig. 4, a
“Secret Agent Man”-inspired turnaround,
hints at the possibilities. In this case, the
octave harmonics emphasize the chromatic
B–C–C# motion on the 5th string, while
generating a unison, minor second, and
major second against the ringing open B
string. As you strike the harmonics, make
sure all the remaining strings continue to
ring. Play this passage slowly, and strive
for clarity and sustain. Some throbbing
tremolo wouldn’t hurt.
With a little practice, you can play any
fretted note as an octave harmonic. First,
fret a note as usual and hold it. Then, gently touch your picking-hand index finger
exactly 12 frets above the note you’re fretting. Contact the string directly over the
metal fret (not behind it), and lightly rest
your finger on the string without depressing it. As you touch the string, simultaneously pluck it with your picking-hand
thumb. You’ll hear a bell-like tone, which
is your cue to remove your index from the
vibrating string to allow it to sustain. Keep
holding the note with your fretting hand
as the octave harmonic rings.
Photo by Tedra Walden
Fig. 3
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Fig. 4
Em
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