Guitar Harmonics

Harmonics, bell-tones, chimes, are high notes used for special effects and as an aid in tuning. They can be played on any string in several different places on the fretboard, but the clearest, most useful harmonics are those found directly over the 12th, 7th and 5th frets.

The easiest harmonics to play are over the 12th fret. To play harmonics do the following:

Rest the 2nd finger on your left hand lightly on any string directly over the 12th fret. The finger should touch the string but not press on it.

Pluck the string firmly, when remove the left-hand finger. You should hear a long, clear bell-like note.

It may take a little practice and at first you may only hear a muted tone. But keep at it. You have to get the timing just right; releasing the left hand as you pluck the string.

Practice playing harmonics on all the strings at the 12th fret. When you can make clear, bell-like notes there, try playing the harmonics over the 7th and 5th frets in the same way. These are not as strong, but you should be able to play them with a little practice.

Parts of some melodies can be played with the harmonics over the 12th, 7th and 5th frets mixed together, or over just one of the freets at a time. Try a familiar song that you know by heart with the harmonics over the 12the fret by playing the strings in this order:

Play these strings on the 12th fret:
4 3 3 2 3 4,
4 3 3 2 3

Harmonic chords can be played by lightly resting the 1st finger across several of the strings like a bar chord. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd string harmonics make and Em Chord over the 12th and 5th frets and a Bm Chord over the 7th fret.

The 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th strin harmonics make a G6 Chord over the 12th and 5th frets and a D6 Chord over the 7th fret.

These chords can be used to finish tunes. Try a G6 over the 12th fret, a D6 over the 7th ffret, then a G6 over the 5th fret to end a song in G.

Experiment with harmonics on these frets with all the strings and you’ll find a lot of different ways you can use them. Harmonics really add a lot of richness to a song and a wonderful ending to a tune.

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