A natural harmonic, often simply called a “harmonic” on the guitar, is a technique used to produce a pure, bell-like tone by lightly touching a string at a specific node point while plucking or picking the string. This creates a harmonic overtone, which is a higher-pitched note that sounds above the fundamental pitch of the open string. Natural harmonics are a unique and beautiful aspect of guitar playing, often used to add color and texture to music.
To produce a natural harmonic on the guitar, follow these steps:
- Select the Appropriate String: Natural harmonics work best on the thinner strings of the guitar, usually the high E, B, and G strings. You can also produce harmonics on the other strings, but they may not be as pronounced or clear.
- Lightly Touch the String: With your fretting hand, gently place your finger directly above a specific node point on the string. Node points are located at specific fractions of the string’s length. The most common node points for natural harmonics are:
- 12th fret (halfway point): This produces the highest-pitched harmonic overtone.
- 7th fret (one-third of the string length): Produces a harmonic overtone that’s an octave above the 19th fret.
- Do Not Press Down: It’s crucial not to press the string against the fretboard like you would when playing a regular note or chord. Instead, lightly touch the string at the node point without applying any pressure to the fret.
- Pluck the String: With your picking hand, pluck or pick the string just as you normally would. Make sure your picking hand is directly over the node point.
- Hear the Harmonic: When executed correctly, you’ll hear a clear and bell-like harmonic overtone. The fundamental pitch of the open string will be largely suppressed, and the harmonic will ring out.
- Practice Precision: Achieving clean and clear harmonics can be challenging at first. Experiment with the exact placement of your fretting hand’s finger and the angle of your picking hand’s attack to get the best results.
- Experiment with Different Nodes: You can produce natural harmonics at other node points on the string as well, such as the 5th fret (one-fourth of the string length) or the 4th fret (one-fifth of the string length). Each node point will produce a different harmonic overtone.
- Combine Harmonics with Chords and Melodies: Once you’ve mastered the technique, incorporate harmonics into your playing. You can use them to add embellishments to chords or create ethereal melodies.
Natural harmonics are a beautiful and expressive element of guitar playing, and they can add a unique dimension to your music. Experiment with different node points and incorporate them creatively into your playing to explore the full range of sounds that harmonics can produce on the guitar.
