Lesson 5(c): Harmonics Part 3(Tapped Harmonics)

Tapped harmonics.
As the name suggests these harmonics are executed using two handed tapping technique..if u are not familiar make sure u get acquainted with it before reading this lesson.

Remember the way we played Natural harmonics on 12th fret on the G string by dividing the string into two equal parts (if you haven't read the previous lesson on Natural Harmonics pls read it here ). Imagine that you are actually fretting the zeroth fret on G string ie where the nut holds the string to give an open G and your picking hand (which in this case is the tapping hand) does the same thing on the 12th fret that your fretting hand did earlier then theoretically the note played will be the same. The difference will be in the sound as here tapping is used instead of picking.

Now similarly try to play a C tapped harmonic on the G string by fretting C (5th fret) with ur left hand and tapping on the metallic strip on the C (17th fret) with ur right hand. So again we have divided the string length into two halves to produce an overtone.

If you remember, we had also divided the string into 3 equal parts in lesson 5a by playing harmonic on D (7th fret) on G string. Now if you observe carefully,D is the 5th note in the G Major scale. Then, the open note was G. Now since we are fretting a C we will consider C Major scale and the corresponding 5th note here is G which is 12th fret on 3rd string. So in this case a harmonic can be produced by tapping on the 12th fret. Care should be taken that you tap on the metallic strip and not in between the strips and that no picking is involved here, just tapping.

Thus tapped harmonic is an important tool that enables us to extend the concept of natural harmonics to all notes and doesn't keep it confined to only the open string notes..

Regarding tapping I would say figure out the technique that works for you and feel free to tap with whichever finger you are comfortable with. I tap with my middle finger so that my index finger can continue to hold the pick.

Note: If the note is picked and then the string is slightly touched just above the metallic strip of the respective fret, even then the harmonic will be produced. Of course giving a different sound. The point is feel free to experiment..

So here we have come to the end of this series on Harmonics. I hope u have enjoyed. Feel free to comment. Next week I am planning to post something about cool whammy bar techniques that I have recently learnt... enjoy!