Ping EricV

[ncook]

Its funny that when I opened this forum I noticed a post reply by you regarding harmonics. If you remember a while ago you were giving me some pointers on the Beat It solo. Since then I've worked on it here and there and really got a great "brown sound" on my Boss GT-6 after I tinkered with the EQ. HOWEVER, I have yet to nail the money harmonic. You know of which I speak, the one you nailed dead on in your demo. So, 2 part question... first, could you describe about where on the string your finding it? E.g. on the neck edge of the brige pickup or int he middle of the neck pickup, etc.
Second, how hard would I need to beg you (or pay you if you are for hire) to post a video of you playing the solo? (well not so much you as your fingers and hands;) ).

[ncook]

Giving it a second thought, the location on your guitar will probably differ from mine. I suppose theres a term for the harmonic locations on the strings, but I dont know it:( . Any ideas as to how I can find this harmonic???

[forgottenking2]

If it helps there is a "harmonic map" in Guitar Secrets by Joe Satriani.

He basically tells you exactly where each one of the harmonics are located, while I don't know them all by heart I can tell you of the ones I use:

Octave: Above the 12 Fret
Octave + a perfect 5th : Above the 7th Fret
2 Octaves: Above the 5th Fret
2 Octaves + a Maj 3rd: Between the 9 and 10th Frets
2 Octaves + a perfect 5th: Above the 3rd Fret
3 Octaves: Above the middle section of the 3rd fret
3 Octaves + a Maj 2nd : Between the 2nd and 3rd Frets
3 Octaves + a Perfect 4th: In the middle of the 2nd fret (Rhandy Roads uses
this one in Crazy Train)

There are more than that but the indications would get vague here (like somewhere in the middle of the 2nd fret, last third of the 2nd fret and so on)

Also be aware that you can also "move the harmonics" by fretting notes. The fret next to your finger becomes the new nut, so just follow these indications asuming that the fret next to your finger is 0.

I hope this helps.

Np. Wes Montgomery & Jimmy Smith : The Dynamic Duo

[EricV]

I tried a little earlier, but it would be tough to point out the exact position of that artificial harmonic, as I used my trusty Peavey Vandenberg to try, and the harmonic is located close to the neck pickup... which is in a slightly different position than it is on other guitars.
I think it should be possible though to find the harmonic by trying different locations close to the neck-pu ( towards the bridge one ) while fretting and bending the right note ( A on the G-String ).
Hope this helps
Eric

[ncook]

If it helps there is a "harmonic map" in Guitar Secrets by Joe Satriani.

He basically tells you exactly where each one of the harmonics are located, while I don't know them all by heart I can tell you of the ones I use:

Octave: Above the 12 Fret
Octave + a perfect 5th : Above the 7th Fret
2 Octaves: Above the 5th Fret
2 Octaves + a Maj 3rd: Between the 9 and 10th Frets
2 Octaves + a perfect 5th: Above the 3rd Fret
3 Octaves: Above the middle section of the 3rd fret
3 Octaves + a Maj 2nd : Between the 2nd and 3rd Frets
3 Octaves + a Perfect 4th: In the middle of the 2nd fret (Rhandy Roads uses
this one in Crazy Train)

There are more than that but the indications would get vague here (like somewhere in the middle of the 2nd fret, last third of the 2nd fret and so on)

Also be aware that you can also "move the harmonics" by fretting notes. The fret next to your finger becomes the new nut, so just follow these indications asuming that the fret next to your finger is 0.

I hope this helps.

Np. Wes Montgomery & Jimmy Smith : The Dynamic Duo
Wow, cool. That inspires all kinds of ideas. I'll look into that, I didn't realize Guitar Secrets even existed.

[ncook]

I tried a little earlier, but it would be tough to point out the exact position of that artificial harmonic, as I used my trusty Peavey Vandenberg to try, and the harmonic is located close to the neck pickup... which is in a slightly different position than it is on other guitars.
I think it should be possible though to find the harmonic by trying different locations close to the neck-pu ( towards the bridge one ) while fretting and bending the right note ( A on the G-String ).
Hope this helps
Eric
Would the fack that I'm not tuned down a half step matter? Also, is this harmonic a pinpoint type of harmonic where it may take he 20 trys to hit it once or is it more forgiving? (if its forgiving then I have my EQ set wrong).

[ncook]

You know what, I just realized I've been adding vibrato to that bend. It doesn't call for vibrato! I always assumed there was. I wonder if that may be part of my trouble.

[EricV]

I don´t think the fact you´re not tuned down matters... when I tried this afternoon, I wasn´t either.
I tried a couple of times, different positions, and it worked about 3 out of 5 times. The sound / tone was not as close as it used to be years ago, cuz I haven´t played the solo in ages, and my gear and playing is pretty different.
But once I had the right position, it worked most of the time.
And no, it´s just a bend, no vibrato. I don´t think that that made it harder to get out the harmonic, but it might have changed the sound of it quite a bit, so that might have been a reason why it didn´t sound very close to the original.
Hope this helps
Eric

NP: Michael Schenker - Thank You 4

[ncook]

I don´t think the fact you´re not tuned down matters... when I tried this afternoon, I wasn´t either.
I tried a couple of times, different positions, and it worked about 3 out of 5 times. The sound / tone was not as close as it used to be years ago, cuz I haven´t played the solo in ages, and my gear and playing is pretty different.
But once I had the right position, it worked most of the time.
And no, it´s just a bend, no vibrato. I don´t think that that made it harder to get out the harmonic, but it might have changed the sound of it quite a bit, so that might have been a reason why it didn´t sound very close to the original.
Hope this helps
Eric

NP: Michael Schenker - Thank You 4

I can get a harmonic and its obviously the right note, it just doesn't have the full screaming sound the original does. Its actually pretty lame in comparison.
I'll record it and post it. Give me a few minutes.

[ncook]

Heres a sample of what I can get. This is actually the closest I've come yet.

[EricV]

Nathan
it actually sounds pretty damn good to me, nice sound there. However, one thing I noticed is that the bend on that harmonic seems to be too quick. Actually, it is a rather slow bend, ( so you create the harmonic while it´s still an A, then bend up gradually... not too slow, as the note ain´t too long ).
To try to explain that a bit better, I quickly grabbed my guitar ( as pointed out in the Satriani-thread, the first time today, was busy with errands all day long, so bear with me ), and focussed on that harmonic.
I am not even sure whether I came very close there, as I haven´t attempted to play this solo in a long time, and I just used my regular lead-sound and didn´t warm up, but at least it might explain the "slower bend part".
So here is a short MP3 of just the bended harmonic: http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/eric/bi-harm1.mp3

And here are a few quick and sloppy takes on that whole passage of the solo. As I said, the harmonic doesn´t entirely work EVERY TIME :)
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/eric/bi-harm2.mp3

For what it´s worth
Eric

[ncook]

Nathan
it actually sounds pretty damn good to me, nice sound there. However, one thing I noticed is that the bend on that harmonic seems to be too quick. Actually, it is a rather slow bend, ( so you create the harmonic while it´s still an A, then bend up gradually... not too slow, as the note ain´t too long ).
To try to explain that a bit better, I quickly grabbed my guitar ( as pointed out in the Satriani-thread, the first time today, was busy with errands all day long, so bear with me ), and focussed on that harmonic.
I am not even sure whether I came very close there, as I haven´t attempted to play this solo in a long time, and I just used my regular lead-sound and didn´t warm up, but at least it might explain the "slower bend part".
So here is a short MP3 of just the bended harmonic: http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/eric/bi-harm1.mp3

And here are a few quick and sloppy takes on that whole passage of the solo. As I said, the harmonic doesn´t entirely work EVERY TIME :)
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/forums/eric/bi-harm2.mp3

For what it´s worth
Eric
Cool, I dont have time to listen right now, I have an appt at 6, but when I get back I'll listen and get back with ya. Thanks!:cool:

[ncook]

Sounds like I'm on the right track, I just need to refine it a bit. One more thing, on the part I have circled, are you picking that ? If so, how??? Thats got me stumped.:confused:
http://www.necom.biz/new/bisolo3.gif

[ncook]

Hey Eric, side bar... on your new site, if you click info at the top and arrive at the info page, all of the links on the side under news are linked to ebay.;)

[ncook]

Sounds like I'm on the right track, I just need to refine it a bit. One more thing, on the part I have circled, are you picking that ? If so, how??? Thats got me stumped.:confused:
http://www.necom.biz/new/bisolo3.gif

Nevermind, I figured it out myself again. Those are all P's and H's, theres no T's. I was trying to tap it. This sucks, I'll spend hours trying to figure something out and the second I open my mouth in a public setting it comes to me and I feel like a tard.