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#105 - Natural Harmonics Etude (Patreon)

Published:
2024-05-17 21:09:25
Imported:
2026-06
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Downloads

  • 308535863.txt
  • Natural Harmonics Etude - Full Tab.pdf
  • Harmonics Etude - Backing Track.mp3
  • Harmonics Etude - Practice Track.mp3

Missing 4 files, as this post has not yet been imported.

Content

My fellow bassists,

There's no doubt that natural harmonics are a truly beautiful effect on bass, and since I've seen some requests for tips on how to play them - here you go!

This etude will train your ability to play harmonics while accompanying yourself with root notes. It starts off with the easier ones (frets 7, 5 and 4) and then starts incorporating less common ones like 3.2, 2.4 and 1.8.

One of the trickier parts of playing harmonics is getting them to ring clearly. Make sure to pluck near the bridge, boost the mids on your bass a bit and lift your finger off the string right after plucking. And if you have a chorus pedal or plugin, that helps create the right mood and also boosts the harmonics a bit.

As always, let me know if you have any questions or feedback at all and I'll make sure to respond ASAP!

Thanks for coming here and learning with me, have a great weekend and I'll see you in the next lesson!

Charles

Comments

Kyo

Thank you even though you are busy..! Take care charles!

CP M

Got to say I’m really enjoying the etudes Charles. They are something different to aim for rather than just trying for a song which can be repetitive.

Charles Berthoud
>>138303675

1.8 is between frets 1 and 2 but it’s closer fret 2. And 3.2 is between frets 3 and 4 but closer to fret 3. Does that make sense?

Charles Berthoud
>>138303675

Yes you can get some very high pitches with those harmonics! But you have to be very accurate to play the right notes 😅

Jeff

Is there a technique on how you play the string to get the harmonic sound?

Charles Berthoud
>>138536748

It’s very similar to a normal fingerstyle technique, but you have to lift your fretting finger off the string as soon as you pluck it, and make sure to pluck near the bridge to get the right tone

Witold Wegner

I find it quite difficult to get the same sound from the -5- on the 2nd string (bar 1) WITHOUT touching the 1st string after as if I' do when I did not have to let the b ring ...

Ralyks

Off topic, but I'm looking to buy a new set of strings for both my Basses. Some flatwounds for my 21/22? fret, and some rounds for my Ibanez 24fret. Any recommendations in the cost competitor range and anything around the $75 -$100+ range?

Ralyks

Awesome man. Sounds like Sky Sanctuary from Sonic 3 and one of the water stages from Mario 64 combined

Charles Berthoud
>>138649152

I play pretty roundwounds pretty much exclusively - I really like the GHS Bass Boomers! Those are around $30 for a 4-string set. For flat wounds I have less experience but I really like La Bella - around $45 for a 4-string set. $75+ strings are very rare. You'd only find those for 6-string and it would be something like the La Bella nylon tape wounds, or the Optima gold-plated strings!

Ralyks
>>138649152

Oh ok awesome. I was worried I was gonna have to take out a loan trying get the best sound. Wonderful, now I'm off to look at Compressors, an Audio Interface, maybe some headphones. I watched that video you did a while back on the audio stuff, but any recommendations on budget compressors? Or is that where you've spent your money? Oh actually, you use plug-ins for most of that don't you?

Charles Berthoud
>>138649152

Yes for compression in my studio I just use either the 1176SE from Universal Audio, or the stock Logic plugin if I'm trying not to crash my computer... For live stuff I use one of the compressors built into the Quad Cortex

gj23

Insane, can you give me an advise or tip, plz? I could play it very well after 5 mins except that i don't get any harmonics tone from the 1st to 3rd fret...I practise it every day since 5 days, but I'm not able to play the 2.4 and 1.8! Do i have to change or tune something on the strings maybe or is it just a fault of my technique?

Charles Berthoud
>>138963542

Have you tried the advice I wrote in the description? Another thing you might want to try is using new strings. You also have to be very accurate with the harmonics in between frets!

gj23

wow thanks for this very quick reply! Yes i followed your advice and my harmonics are swinging clearly except that i can't play the 2.4 & 1.8. The strings are brand new, i have bought my yamaha TRBX 504 3 weeks ago. So maybe i have to practice more to get the tone out of the harmonics in between frets.

Ronald Jones

Oh....my goodness!! I am stuck on the first measure!! That b 1/8th note is throwing me off. I keep fretting the next note.....f#? Or I pulloff the B. I should have the whole piece down in a couple years...lol

Nicola

Very beautiful

Charles Berthoud
>>138610497

If you're accidentally muting strings, try keeping the fingers on your left hand more curved so they're not making unwanted contact with the other strings

Charles Berthoud
>>138979887

Forget about the song and see if you can get those notes to ring if that's all you focus on. Then try playing them in the context of this song

gj23
>>138979887

yeah i got it... but the 1.8 is almost a bit tricky ^^ the mids weren't fully turned up, only 3/4 and now it works more or less :D more practice and it should be fine