Playing harmonics on bass can add a whole new set of sounds to your playing, but it can be tricky when you first try it. Here are some tips to help!
Playing Harmonics on Bass
To play a harmonic on bass, lightly touch the string right above the fret wire and pick it. As soon as you pick it, lift your finger off the string.
You might find it easiest to use the ring finger of your fretting hand to play the harmonic, this way you can use your index and middle finger to mute the other strings completely.
Natural harmonics can be found at the 12th, 7th, and 5th fret of every string.
Here are some tips to help:
- The harmonics should sound out as clear bell-like tones.
- If you’re not able to hear them, it’s likely that you’re pressing too hard and muting the string.
- Other issues would be removing your finger too quickly or leaving it on the string too long.
- Some harmonics are easier to play than others, when you’re first learning, it’s a good idea to start on the G or D string at the 12th fret.
Tuning a Bass With Harmonics
You can also use harmonics to tune your bass. Tuning with harmonics is considered one of the most accurate ways to tune, and you can do it without a tuner! We tune using this method by matching the harmonics on different strings. When playing a string that is out of tune, the harmonic will have beats or a wavering sound to it, it won’t be steady and clear like it should be.
To tune, we start with a harmonic on the thinnest string:
1. The 7th fret G string harmonic should match the 5th fret D string harmonic.
2. The 7th fret D string harmonic should match the 5th fret A string harmonic
3. Lastly, the 7th fret A string harmonic should match the 5th fret E string harmonic.
Easy, right?
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