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.
