Artificial Harmonics | Fingerstyle Lesson #1 | Printable PDF Tab/Sheet Music (Patreon)

Hi friends,

artificial harmonics, the magic touch.

- The first time I saw this technique used, I couldn't figure out how it could be achieved. In fact, observing the hand of a guitarist you can only see the index finger resting on the string, but you do not see the thumb that pinches inside the hand. Even to make my video tutorial I struggled to find the right position of the camera.

How to do it with open strings:

- place the index finger of the right hand on the sixth string right on the bar of the twelfth fret. Touch the string without pressing it.

- pinch the string inside your hand with your thumb.

- If this is your first time trying this technique, practice a lot on the sixth string before moving on to the next exercises.

How do you get on the second fret:

- with your left hand press the second fret

- with the index finger of the right hand touch the string at the fourteenth fret and pinch with the thumb inside the hand.

How do you get it on the fourth fret:

- with your left hand press the fourth fret

- with the index finger of the right hand touch the string at the sixteenth fret and pinch with the thumb inside the hand.

Tips:

As you can see, the artificial harmonic can be obtained on any note, just press the fret with your left hand and then play the harmonic by adding 12. This is the general rule.

The tab indicates the fret to be pressed with the left hand, the rhombus indicating the harmonic, and finally in brackets there is the fret to be touched with the index finger to play the harmonic.

You have to keep a good gap between the index finger and thumb, at least 2/3 frets away, otherwise if you put your thumb too close the sound will be weak.

The technique can also be performed using the ring or little finger instead of the thumb. At the end of the video I used the ring finger to show you this. It is important that you learn both ways because sometimes using one is better than the other.

Good playing!