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Harmonics

    Harmonics are Tones that ring out without having to hold down a string against the Fret board. On your guitar, you have a Fret and then a Space, Fret then a space. So from the bridge to the first fret creates a space which is considered the 1st fret.   

    To sound the harmonics, Barre the 12th fret with one finger like you are going to make a Barre chord. Now make it where you are not holding down the strings but just have your finger lying across the strings. Now slide your finger directly over the 12th Fret itself, Not the space but right directly over the metal fret - This is the main Node. Try sounding out the harmonics, The tones you hear should be the same tones as if you are fretting all six strings at the 12th Space.

if you are doing this correctly - you should be able to lift your finger and it will still ring out, it should ring out all six strings at the 12th fret.      

     You have basically divide the string into Two Equal Parts, and that is where they put the first fret which is the main Harmonic Node and can usually be played pretty easily. You can practice these with the guitar on your lap with it facing like it is in the picture - Make Sure that your finger is directly over the fret (12th fret) and NOT pushing down the strings. 
    
     The Harmonic sound you should hear is the octave of the open strings. The main node is the only mode that has only One Position, the other nodes have two or more positions but sound the Same Pitch.  

     The frets are placed on your guitar by using these harmonic positions. The placement of the first fret is determined by the exact center of the string From the Nut to the Bridge on your guitar, which is where the First fret is placed. This is the twelfth (12th) fret of any Guitar.

     Where the next frets are placed is determined by dividing the string into four equal parts, which comes up with the 5th and 24th fret. If you don't have 24 frets, the Node beyond the fret board has to be found by fishing around for it - it is right exactly between the 12th fret and the bridge.
The Harmonic sound made at the 5th and 24th fret are the exact same pitch.

     When you're sounding the Harmonics, The fret you are on is not relevant to the Tone that you will hear. Especially before you get to the 12th fret, The second node sounds the Second octave of the open string that you are playing. The 2nd Node is harder to get to sound than the Main Node. You have to make sure you are right over the fret itself, and you have to lift your finger off after you strum the strings somewhat. Practice the main node before you try this one!

     If you sound the harmonic on the 2nd Node of the Biggest string (this is E), Then you are hearing the second octave of the Open E string (24th Fret) - The Fretted Note at the Fifth fret is the A Tone, The harmonic at the fifth fret is an E Tone, Also remember if you use a Capo - then all of the nodes are shifted up

Harmonics - Part Two

 
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