artificial harmonics

On most stringed instruments, an artificial harmonic is one that is played on an fingered or fretted string. (Versus a natural harmonic, which is played on an open string.)

To play an artificial harmonic you finger the fundamental, then touch at the node. The math is the same as with the natural harmonic; the only limiting factor is what intervals the hand can stretch to. For example, the first harmonic, the octave, is not possible.

We call this an “artificial harmonic”. For example, the left hand can hold down the first fret. Then, the right hand can play a harmonic 12 frets up from there, at the 13th fret. Using this technique, we can play any pitch as an artificial harmonic.

Essentially all instruments produce overtones, which are frequencies other than the dominant frequency of the note. When one or more overtones is a multiple of the base (or fundamental) frequency, it's called a harmonic. Some instruments like drums do not generally have harmonic overtones.

When a string is only lightly pressed by one finger (that is, isolating overtones of the open string), the resulting harmonics are called natural harmonics. However, when a string is held down on the neck in addition to being lightly pressed on a node, the resulting harmonics are called artificial harmonics.

Artificial harmonics are considerably more tricky, because you do them on notes that you're fretting. Basically, what you need to do is fret the note.

Techopedia Explains Harmonic A harmonic is a signal whose frequency is an integral multiple of the frequency of a reference signal. For instance, if the reference or fundamental frequency is considered to be some value, f, the waves having the frequency 2f, 3f, 4f and so on are considered to be harmonic waves.

Each natural frequency that an object or instrument produces has its own characteristic vibrational mode or standing wave pattern. These patterns are only created within the object or instrument at specific frequencies of vibration; these frequencies are known as harmonic frequencies, or merely harmonics.

If add harmonics to the fundamental, we change the shape of the wave, but not its pitch, so this gives us a way of independently controlling the tone quality without affecting the pitch. It does not matter if we add a wave at 3f, 7f, or 32f. The shape will change but the pitch will not.

When a string is only lightly pressed by one finger (that is, isolating overtones of the open string), the resulting harmonics are called natural harmonics. However, when a string is held down on the neck in addition to being lightly pressed on a node, the resulting harmonics are called artificial harmonics.

We all have heard how harmonics sound: an artificial harmonic (also called 'pinch harmonic') is that high pitched squeal so common in rock and metal; while a natural harmonics has more a bell-like quality to it.

You can also use your thumb. Now put your first finger down and we're gonna go 12 frets higher so the 13th fret. And do the same thing. And then try the next.