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Guide To Guitar Harmonics: Master The Art

guitar harmonics

From Theory to Practice: Understanding Harmonics on Guitar

Guitar harmonics are created when you lightly touch the string at specific points, producing beautiful bell-like tones with shimmering qualities. These nodal points create resonant frequencies and overtones, giving your music a unique and ethereal sound. 

The appeal of guitar harmonics lies in their unique timbre and ability to add a shimmering quality to the music. Harmonics are widely used in various playing styles, such as fingerpicking, tapping, and artificial harmonics, enriching the guitarist’s repertoire and enhancing the overall musical expression.

In this article, I will explain everything you need about guitar harmonics.

Have you checked out some other guitar techniques that can elevate your playing?

The Physics of Guitar Harmonics

Guitar harmonics are produced when the vibrating string is divided into segments that vibrate at different frequencies. These segments, called nodes, are points along the string without displacement or movement. The frequency of a harmonic is determined by the length of the vibrating segment. The shorter the segment, the higher the frequency.

Your finger acts like a bridge, dividing the string into smaller vibrating sections. Depending on where you touch, these sections are half, a third, or a fourth, the length of the entire string. Since the length of the vibrating part (wavelength) affects the pitch (frequency) of the sound, these “mini-strings” create notes much higher than the original.

When you pluck a guitar string, it vibrates not just at its normal frequency but also at higher frequencies called overtones. These overtones add richness to the tone. Here’s the cool part: gently touching the string at specific points can highlight these overtones while dampening the fundamental frequency. And it will create those beautiful bell-like sounds.


Overtones are higher-frequency components present in a sound alongside the fundamental frequency. They contribute to the timbre and richness of a musical tone.

Resonance, on the other hand, happens when an object’s natural frequency aligns with the frequency of an external force, leading the object to vibrate more intensely due to the matched frequencies.

In the case of guitar harmonics, the natural harmonics are excited through touch to produce a more transparent, more resonant, and distinctive sound.

Squier Classic Stratocaster

’50’s Vibe

Epiphone SG

Special Satin E1

Yamaha Pacifica

PAC012DLX


Types of Guitar Harmonics

There are three major types of guitar harmonics:

Natural Harmonics

Natural harmonics, also known as open-string harmonics, are a type of harmonic produced by lightly touching an open string at a specific point, called a node. This causes the string to vibrate differently, producing a one-octave higher note. The most common nodes for natural harmonics are at the 12th, 7th, and 5th frets, but other nodes can produce different pitches.

Natural Harmonics

To play natural harmonics, lightly touch the guitar string at specific nodal points and cut the string into fractional segments. These points correspond to integer fractions of the string length, such as 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, and so on.


When you lightly touch the string at these positions, you prevent the string from vibrating fully, producing higher-pitched harmonic tones.

To play natural harmonics, place your finger over the desired fret (e.g., 5th, 7th, or 12th) without pressing the string down. For instance, to produce a natural harmonic at the 12th fret, lightly rest your finger over the metal fret marker without pressing the string to the fretboard. The result is a clear, chime-like sound.

While the “sweet spots” for natural harmonics are usually at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets, they can also be played at other places on the neck. For example, playing a harmonic at the 4th fret creates a sound of two octaves and a significant third higher than the original note. This technique is used in the song “Red Barchetta” by Rush.

To play natural harmonics like a pro, click here!

Artificial Harmonics

Artificial harmonics, also known as false harmonics, are created by combining a fretting finger and the picking hand to produce harmonics on non-nodal points of the string. 

Artificial harmonics are slightly more complex to play than natural harmonics. Unlike natural, artificial harmonics allow the player to produce harmonics at various pitches and intervals.


The technique for artificial harmonics involves fretting a note with one finger and then lightly touching the string twelve frets above that note with another finger, usually the pinky. The picking hand plucks the string while the pinky creates the harmonic. 

For example, to play an artificial harmonic at the 5th fret, fret a note with your index finger and lightly touch the string above the 17th fret with your pinky. This technique enables the production of harmonics with greater versatility and complexity.

Examples of artificial harmonics can be found in Eddie Van Halen’s iconic “Eruption” solo, where he combines tapping and artificial harmonics to create a dazzling array of sounds. Steve Vai’s “For the Love of God” also features an impressive use of artificial harmonics to add depth and emotion to the melody.

Check out the performance yourself!


Fretted Harmonics

Fretted harmonics are artificial harmonics created by lightly touching a string at a specific point, called a node while fretting the string at another point. This causes the string to vibrate differently, producing a higher-pitched note.

To play a fretted harmonic, lightly touch the string at the desired node with your finger while also fretting the string at another point with the same finger. It is essential not to press down too hard on either the node or the fret, or you will not produce a harmonic. Once you have touched the string, pluck it as usual. You should hear a higher-pitched note than the fretted note.

Our Suggested Guitars To Play These Harmonics

While many guitars (mostly electric guitars) can produce harmonics, some models and brands are particularly renowned for their ability to make these tones sing. We recommended some models that are best suited for playing harmonics on guitars. 

Squier Classic Stratocaster

’50’s Vibe

Epiphone SG

Special Satin E1

Yamaha Pacifica

PAC012DLX


How Do You Play Guitar Artificial Harmonics?

Playing artificial harmonics on the guitar involves creating harmonics by manipulating the strings in specific ways. There are several types of artificial harmonics, including harp harmonics, tapped harmonics, and pinched harmonics, each with its unique approach:

Harp Harmonics

Harp harmonics involve lightly touching the string with your picking hand (usually your thumb) at specific nodal points while plucking the string with your other fingers or a pick.

The touchpoint on the string is typically 12 frets (an octave) higher than the fretted note. For example, if you’re fretting a note on the 5th fret, the harmonic touchpoint would be at the 17th fret.

Place your thumb gently on the string over the harmonic point without pressing it to the fretboard. Simultaneously, pluck the string with your other hand, allowing the harmonic to ring out.

Tapped Harmonics

Tapped harmonics involve tapping the string with your picking hand while simultaneously plucking the string with your other hand (usually the fingers).

Tapped Harmonics finger technique

Choose a specific fret for the fretted note and tap the string lightly above that fret with your picking hand, creating a harmonic. Simultaneously, pluck the string with your other hand to produce the harmonic sound. This technique is often used in guitar solos for its unique tonal quality.

Pinched Harmonics

Pinched harmonics, or artificial harmonics, are produced by pinching the string with your thumb and a pick or finger at specific points along the string.

As you pick a note or chord with your pick or finger, your thumb simultaneously makes contact with the string at a harmonic point, typically 12 frets (an octave) higher than the fretted note. This pinching action creates a harmonic overtone, producing a distinct squealing or screaming sound.

Pinched harmonics require precise control and timing to hit the correct harmonic points and achieve the desired effect.

Click here to learn the tips and tricks of artificial harmonics!

Mastering Harmonic Techniques

Mastering harmonic techniques begins with precise finger placement and pressure. For natural harmonics, lightly touch the string directly over the nodal point, avoiding excess pressure that might dampen the sound.

types of guitar harmonics

For artificial harmonics, the fretting hand must accurately fret the note while the picking hand touches the string at the correct distance to produce the desired pitch. Consistent practice and experimentation with finger positioning will yield better control over harmonics.

Refining picking and vibrato techniques are essential for expressive harmonics. When picking harmonics, use a controlled and precise motion to strike the string, maintaining the proper force for a clear sound. Vibrato can be applied to harmonics to add richness and depth. 

Utilizing finger or wrist vibrato while sustaining a harmonic note can create captivating nuances in the sound. Here is a fantastic example by guitarist Alan Gogol. Watch how he uses harmonics to make such an amazing melody-

Mastery of harmonic techniques allows guitarists to seamlessly incorporate harmonics into chords and melodies. By integrating natural harmonics into chord progressions, you can create intriguing textures and add unique embellishments to your compositions

Furthermore, using artificial harmonics in melody lines can produce breathtaking and intricate phrases that stand out in solos.

Understanding the links between harmonics and regular fretted notes allows guitarists to craft harmonically rich passages that engage listeners while revealing their technical abilities. 

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Sharif Leen
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