How do I play harmonics on guitar?

Question

I have read that you barely touch a string at, say ,the 12th fret....but it dosn't work....I don't know how it even sounds...

Answer 1

ok, so harmonics:

basically, you have to have a very light touch. Mind you, it will take a lot of practice. But anyways, you have to do it above the FRET ITSELF, not between them. The 12th fret is the easiest, but you can also do it at the 7th, 5th, 4th, and 3rd. You could do it at the 24th fret too but most guitars don't have that so you'll have to do it by trial and error. It will be a lot easier if you have an electric guitar and a little distortion wouldn't hurt either.

here's an easy way to do harmonics at the 12th.

pluck the string continuously.
with your fingering hand, bring it closer and closer to the 12th fret until you just barely touch the string above the fret (must be directly above the fret)
keep plucking
as soon as you touch (very VERY gently, mind you) you should hear that string's octave above. Example: if you did this on the E string, you should hear E as you would play it an octave higher
you may hear both the harmonic E and the regular E. if you do, touch the string a little harder until ONLY the HARMONIC E is heard.

It will take much practice, but just have patience and you'll get it.


Next lesson: pinch picking harmonics :)

Answer 2

The harmonics are located at the 5th, the 7th , and the 12th fret, you actually are close in the ide, you touch the string lightly , pluck and lift at the same time, practice will helps you with this, to hear a song with this technique used look at Roundabout from YES or the Needle and the Spoon by Lynyrd Skynyrd they both feature a harmonic

Answer 3

Rest your finger extremely gently on the string, pluck the string lightly and let it ring. It takes lots of practice to get it right.