How to Play Tap Harmonics on Guitar
When you're shredding your ax and you need that perfect note modification--that squealing harmonic--why not a tap harmonic? Artificial harmonics and natural harmonics are techniques stored away in many amateur guitarists' gig bags. But tap harmonics, though not that difficult are not as common. Unless, of course, your guitar friends are Steve Vai or Joe Satriani. Many of your peers may not have mastered the tap harmonic yet. Learn this and wow them with your harmonizing awesomeness.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
With your electric guitar plugged in and distortion up, hit a note below the 12th fret (or 11th if your guitar has 21 frets) on any string and let the note ring out, not muted. Make sure your pickup is switched to lead or turn the rhythm pickup down with the lead pick all the way open.
-
2
Count up 12 frets from the note you just struck and tap the fret (not the space in between, or fretboard) but the actual metal bar lightly. The note will harmonize with itself, sounding both the original note and the note one octave higher. Don't use much force when tapping the fret; you don't want to stop the vibration, just alter it. The string does not even have to come in contact with the fret; your finger should just brush the string, letting the vibration run its full course.
-
-
3
Add vibrato or a bend to embellish. Use two fingers for a bend or vibrato. This gives better control over the bend, allowing you to bend further and more easily.
-
4
Keep practicing over and over until you have this down. Start off slowly. You don't even have to have the distortion on or the guitar plugged in to practice. In a quiet setting, you can still hear the harmonic. Don't worry about playing anything while you practice. Just understand the logistics of how the tap harmonic works and how to play it quickly and smoothly.
-
5
Throw a tap harmonic in your solo or melody. Mix it in with artificial harmonics and natural harmonics as well as bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs and vibrato to make your guitar talk.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
This technique works on acoustic guitars and clean tone as well but is less noticeable.
