Pick Harmonics

Lesson 5/57 | Study Time: 5 Min
Course: Metal Guitar
Pick Harmonics

Pick Harmonics

A difficult but effective harmonic to use is a pick harmonic. This harmonic is produced artificially with the right hand pick. The thumb and finger of the right hand holds the pick closer to the tip of the pick. The string is struck with the pick but the thumb is so close to the string that it touches the vibrating string a fraction of a second after it has sounded, almost muting the string. If executed correctly, a sharp, piercing harmonic is produced. Experiment with holding the pick in different positions and striking the string at slightly different angles until you are producing a clear sounding harmonic.

In the following example a pick harmonic is played after a normal fretted note. Pick harmonics are notated in the tablature with a dot and p har……

Different harmonic pitches can be obtained by simply moving the right hand closer or further away from the bridge. In the following example the same pick harmonic is played but the right hand moves along the string from the bridge towards the fretboard.

Pick harmonics are featured with muting in this lick.

Previous Lesson Next Lesson
Brett Duncan and Jason Beveridge

Brett Duncan and Jason Beveridge

Product Designer
Profile

Class Sessions

1- Metal Guitar Solos 2- Advanced Rhythm Techniques 3- More Power Chords 4- Metal Lead Guitar 5- Root Six and Root Five Power Chords 6- INTRODUCTION 7- More Scales and Techniques 8- Single Note Riffs 9- Advanced Lead Guitar Techniques 10- Tapping and Whammy Bar Techniques 11- Power Chords 12- Scales 13- Slurring 14- Open String Slurs 15- Whammy Bar Techniques 16- Minor Pentatonic Scale 17- The Chromatic Scale 18- Approach to Practice 19- Rhythm Variations 20- Three String Power Chords 21- Triplet Rhythms 22- Using Accents 23- Quarter Note Triplets 24- The Major Scale 25- Whammy Bar Vibrato 26- Harmonics 27- Off-Beat Rhythms 28- Natural Minor Scale 29- Right Hand Muting 30- Keys 31- Chord Progressions 32- Chord Diagrams 33- Whammy Bar Dive 34- Scale Diagrams 35- Vibrato 36- Metal Lead Guitar Licks 37- The Minor Scale 38- Two Bar Rhythms 39- Pick Harmonics 40- Sixteenth Note Rhythms 41- Whammy Bar Release 42- Harmonic Minor Scale 43- Tablature 44- Touch Harmonics 45- Rhythm Rests 46- Minor Pentatonic Scales 47- Muting 48- Arpeggio Picking 49- Keys and Key Signatures 50- Whammy Bar Dipping 51- The Rake 52- Pick Tremolo 53- Triplets 54- Relative Keys 55- Sixteenth Notes 56- Whammy Bar Flicking 57- Performing in Public

Your privacy matters

Cookies and similar technologies are used on our sites to personalize content and ads. You can find further details and change your personal settings below. By clicking OK, or by clicking any content on our sites, you agree to the use of these cookies and similar technologies.

GDPR Cookie Settings

When you visit any of our websites, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and manage your preferences. Please note, that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.

  • These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you that amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms, or where they’re essential to providing you with a service you have requested. You cannot opt out of these cookies. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but if you do, some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
  • These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site, which helps us optimize your experience. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not be able to use your data in this way.
  • These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third-party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
  • These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.