Harmonics question

[Rustee]

I see players of many genres (but especially classical or acoustic instrumentalists) use a certain method of getting harmonics, but I was curious if this particular method had a separate term or not. It's achieved while fretting a note or whole chord, and then based on what fret the note is at, you go up 12 frets with the right hand index finger lightly touching the string, and then strike the string for the harmonic with another right hand finger. For example, a first position F barre chord could be played (arpeggiated) totally with harmonics on frets 13,15,15,14,13,13.

So does this technique have a designated term other than right hand harmonics? I guess it's the same principle as a pinch harmonic, and seems close to a tapped harmonic, but still those seem different to me (they are not pinched or tapped).

[NSM]

They're usually called 'artificial' harmonics, as opposed to the ones you get by touching with the left hand at fret 12 (or 7 or 5 and some others) which are called 'natural' harmonics. They give a better sound than pinch harmonics if you're playing acoustic, or an electric with a clean tone.

There's also so called 'harp' harmonics (sometimes called 'false' harmonics) - they're kinda hard to describe without taking several paragraphs but there's a great demonstration and tutorial about them here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obh1x2z6cOI

[Rustee]

Cool, appreciate the reply. I've heard the term artificial harmonics, but I think it was in a pinch harmonic context. Although I'd never come across those other two. So thanks!

[Darkman]

I had the vague idea that the harmonics the OP refers to are called "touch harmonics" (using the right hand). And that pinch harmonics *are* artificial harmonics.

?

[fingerpikingood]

lol that's awesome.

[JonR]

I had the vague idea that the harmonics the OP refers to are called "touch harmonics" (using the right hand). And that pinch harmonics *are* artificial harmonics.

?Yes, pinch harmonics are a type of artificial harmonic. The word "artificial" just means a harmonic from a fretted note (using the right hand to both touch the node and pick the string), not an open string.
Open string harmonics (where the left hand touches the node) are called "natural" harmonics.
I'd agree it's not a particularly useful distinction... The sound and principle is identical; and you could play pinch or touch harmonics from open strings if you wanted.;)