Pinch/Artificial Harmonics?

Question

I've been playing guitar off and on for eight years. I like to think of myself as somewhere in the intermediate stages in terms of ability. However, for whatever reason, I simply cannot figure out pinch harmonics. I've gone everywhere online, looked at videos, read literature, gotten a little one on one time with my professional guitarist uncle, but nothing. Granted, I haven't really started trying as consistently as the last few weeks, but I'm wondering if there's something wrong with me.

So, to the questions: Has anybody else had as much trouble with this? What have you done to combat the problem? Are there any little tricks I can use to build this skill? Thanks!

Answer 1

Yeah I had trouble with them too. They key is to leave only a little bit of the pick sticking out when you're playing. I know that helped me. Also, try playing with more distortion than you usually do, as this helps.
Don't worry, you'll get it eventually, perhaps sooner than you think. I remember not being able to do pinch harmonics at all, and being so frustrated, and then suddenly one day I could just do them.
Once you get how to do them, it really comes naturally.

There's a video on www.cyberfret.com showing how to do them, you might want to check it out. Otherwise, keep practising! You never know, today might be the day where you suddenly figure them out...

Answer 2

I haven't heard the term "Pinch Harmonics," but I understand playing harmonics on the guitar. The best frets to play open harmonics are in the 12th, the seventh, the fifth, and sometimes, in the third frets. To get these notes I pluck each touched string with the right pick and ever so lightly, touch the string with the side of my little finger in whichever fret I choose.

Closed harmonics is playing any formed chord in a fret and striking each string 12 frets higher with the thumb-pick and simultaneously lightly on and off with the forefinger until you get the bell tone. This method takes more practice to achieve.

I hope this answers your question.