• Registered: 2012-05-23
  • Posts: 7

Topic: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Is there a name for the technique that is used for creating harmonics, appearing to be done by nearly-simultaneous attacks of the thumb and pick?

  • Registered: 2012-02-27
  • Posts: 43

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

It sounds like you're referring to pinch harmonics, which is what you get when you pick a note then catch the string with the fleshy part of your thumb immediately after, producing a high pitched squeal.

  • Devan
  • Devan
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  • From: Darwin, Australia
  • Registered: 2010-04-13
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Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Lookup up "Zakk Wylde" in the guitar dictionary...

big_smile

Yes, that is called 'pinch harmonics'.  Easier to do with a thick/stiff pick...

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Zakk gets the credit...but the real deal for pinched harmonics has to be John Sykes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAC0dG6fuRU

  • Registered: 2009-01-01
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Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Francis Rossi

  • From: Burlington, Ont Canada
  • Registered: 2010-04-01
  • Posts: 365

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Billy Gibbons

Gits: '03 Gibson Historic R7 Goldtop, '06 Gibson R8 Plaintop, MIJ '62 RI Strat,  and others...
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  • From: Norway
  • Registered: 2013-02-11
  • Posts: 20

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

I think the pinch is from the early days of distorted guitar.
I most certainly used this technique in my first band in 1971 using a SG, a Marshall Supa Fuzz and a Vox AC30.
But I must have got the idea from earlier music. Maybe Hendrix?

God, I'm just a fat bald guy, 60 years old, playing the blues, you know?
  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Don't forget Gary Rossington. big_smile

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

BFG, - La Grange solos is full of them.

One of sons fav bands Killswitch Engage use them all over the place, - Adam D messing about with a pinch:

http://youtu.be/i7lIJ7HnS54

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website

  • Registered: 2012-05-23
  • Posts: 7

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Deb Hilliker wrote:

Is there a name for the technique that is used for creating harmonics, appearing to be done by nearly-simultaneous attacks of the thumb and pick?

Does the thumb need to be a particular distance from the pick in order to be effective?  Are the thumb and pick attacking simultaneously or are they offset?  Thanks for the tips so far - much appreciated :-)

  • From: Sussex UK
  • Registered: 2009-07-12
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

thumb just after pick.

this explains it quite well:

http://youtu.be/5I5O8P-r5Rk

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Ian916's Website

12 Reply by wharris (edited by wharris 2014-01-07 15:26:27)

  • From: Ridgeland, MS
  • Registered: 2009-08-12
  • Posts: 1,248

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

When I taught myself to play, I didn't know how to make the squeals I was hearing. Because I didn't know any better, I used my 4th finger to create the harmonics. Works for me.

  • Registered: 2012-05-23
  • Posts: 7

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Excellent clip - I learned a lot.  Thank you!

Ian916 wrote:

thumb just after pick.

this explains it quite well:

http://youtu.be/5I5O8P-r5Rk

  • From: Vienna
  • Registered: 2010-01-16
  • Posts: 408

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

Eric Johnson is the Master of Harmonics!

  • Devan
  • Devan
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Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

HellRot wrote:

Eric Johnson is the Master of Harmonics!

Absolutely - but Eric actually *plays* harmonics by note, using his first finger (right hand) to touch the harmonic interval above the fretted note and plucking with his other fingers (or the pick held differently) in his right hand.

Tommy Emmanuel also does a lot of the same thing on the acoustic (e.g. watch his rendition of 'Michelle').

Pinch harmonics, which I assume Deb asked about, are a much more arbitrary harmonic which is just created when the strings natural wave pattern is interrupted immediately after imparting pick energy into it.  A *skilful* guitarist could possibly move the pick position to be exactly an octave interval above the fretted note when he plays a pinch harmonic, but most guitarists just leave their right hand 'in situ' next to the bridge.

JBLP Gold Top #129 - redubbed "#1 in Oz"
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Harmonic creation: right hand thumb and pic

When you begin, turn up the gain cause that will make it easier.
The more skill you get, you can get from Zakk Wylde to cleaner ones like Billy Gibbons.
Practice LaGrange over and over and over smile

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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