How to Play Harmonics on the Electric Guitar

Playing harmonics on the electric guitar means playing a note without pressing it against the fretboard like you do with fundamental notes. One of the basics of modern guitar playing, beginners learn two kinds of harmonics, natural and artificial. Read the tips below to learn how to play harmonics on the electric guitar.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Play natural harmonics on the electric guitar. Touch a string at the fifth, seventh or twelfth fret right above the fret with the left hand. As you touch this string, hit it with a pick or a finger on your right hand. Then release the left finger, and a clear, chime-like harmonic will ring.

2. Master artificial harmonics. Hit a string, and then strike it again with the thumb, muting it for a split second. This stops the string from vibrating except for the harmonic.

3. Learn how to create tapped harmonics. Put your left hand against the guitar fretboard, and place the index finger on a fret. The pinkie finger should be up a few frets. Tap the string with the index or middle finger of the right hand. After the first note rings, flick the finger off the string to create another note.

4. Use the index finger to fret a note on the electric guitar. Then flick that finger off the string, and another note sounds.

5. Continue the tapping procedure in Steps 3 and 4 until it becomes second nature. Play tapped harmonics at the same volume as normal notes and choose notes in the same key to tap.

Tips & Warnings

• Listen to harmonics in songs like "Roundabout" by Yes and Van Halen's version of "Pretty Woman." Eddie Van Halen pioneered the "tapped harmonic" electric guitar style.