Tapping harmonics

[DOTLover]

Hi I really don't understand how to tap harmonics! Can anyone help? Do I need real loads of gain??

Cheers

Jon

[Sentinel]

To tap harmonics, you need to fret a note and then tap the fret wire 5, 7, or 12 frets higher. When you tap the note, don't hold it down like you're doing two-hand tapping, just a quick tap to sound the note. Like doing natural harmonics, you need to take the finger off the fret wire quickly so the note will sound out.

Using more gain will help bring out the note more, but after working on it long enough, you should be able to get a good sound at a lower volume too.

[Matze]

It is also important to hit the fret wires themselves not the space between the frets. It also helps if you hit the strings quick and fast. I normally use my fingernail on the right hand a little. Usually I do tapping harmonics with the middle finger, because I need to hold the pick.

If you want to hear some really cool tapping harmonics then I can recommend the intro to "Mean Street" by Van Halen which is one of my all time favourite VH songs. There is a power tab transcription available on the web somewhere which is pretty accurate....

[Vance]

Heres another thing to try.

Do a picked harmonic on lets say...the A string on the 5th fret. While that harmonic note is ringing, hammer the same string on the 1st fret. You will get another harmonic sounding...and if the setup is right enuf you should now be able to slide that hammered harmonic up 2 more frets to sound another harmonic.

Once you get smooth, you can work many of these into a solo and it sounds awesome.

[Shaman_Santana]

Go here

http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2181&page=2&pp=15&highlight=electric+gypsy

There you will find video demonstrations to download on how to do tap harmonics. I asked about how to do them myself, and eric was kind enough to explain, and to provide video as well!

Hope that helps, it did me.