How to Play Harmonics on Acoustic Guitar in 3 Steps

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  • Опубліковано 4 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 621

  • @keltyercanbrack960
    @keltyercanbrack960 5 років тому +351

    I’ve struggled with harmonics my whole life! I watched this video and got it in 10 seconds! Bless you sir! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

    • @yolandacasarez1196
      @yolandacasarez1196 3 роки тому +1

      ditto

    • @pharmdiddy5120
      @pharmdiddy5120 2 роки тому +1

      Truth!

    • @Yaunie13
      @Yaunie13 2 роки тому

      agreed

    • @PercussiveStrings1
      @PercussiveStrings1 2 роки тому +1

      You liar, I couldn't get it in 45 minutes!

    • @skursreacts8814
      @skursreacts8814 Рік тому +1

      right.. I could just never figure it out what the muted picking sound was and I didn't know they it was called a harmonic either.. I'm glad the answer was more complicated than i thought.

  • @LuciferAether
    @LuciferAether 6 років тому +1841

    You made a whole video just to ask for the name of a song haven't you ?

  • @kenlandriault3602
    @kenlandriault3602 7 років тому +179

    great lesson... simple, clear and you get right to the point and don't give any unnecessary info.. which is great.. thank you!

  • @DarthDungus
    @DarthDungus 3 роки тому +39

    Just found out about harmonics today, and you helped me learn it in no time flat! Your tip about sliding you finger along the string to find the sweet spot was perfect. I also recommend to practice to slowly lift off the harmonic when strumming, and find that lightest touch that still gives the harmonic vs an open string. Seems to sound the best when you barely touch it

  • @AhDollar
    @AhDollar 6 років тому +868

    I've actually found that the 19th fret has natural harmonics as well.

    • @TheMick26
      @TheMick26 5 років тому +185

      Hey @Ah Dollar . You're exactly right. I love the math in music and I noticed the pattern in that. Starting from the 5th fret, then going to the 7th, will show you the next fret with natural harmonics. 5 + 7 = 12. Knowing this, the next is the 19th. 7 + 12 = 19. If there were actual frets far enough down, harmonics would be found at the 31st fret, since 12 + 19 = 31. On the acoustic guitar, those sounds can be found somewhere over the hole. For some reason, the 7th and 19th sound the same.🤔 Oh well... Have a great weekend.

    • @thatonemailbox
      @thatonemailbox 5 років тому +16

      On heavy distortion, so does the 21st fret

    • @georgewalker3702
      @georgewalker3702 5 років тому +19

      @@TheMick26 the reason has something to do with the division. A 5th fret harmonic has a quarter division (as is the 24th fret). A 7th and 19th fret harmonic has a thirds division.

    • @tejasram5412
      @tejasram5412 5 років тому

      So did i

    • @Digdarshann
      @Digdarshann 4 роки тому

      Oh yeah

  • @agustin1204
    @agustin1204 4 роки тому +20

    There is a reason why it's on fret 12, 7, and 5.
    If you measure the whole length of the string, the 12th fret is exactly in the middle: one half (1/2 the length then x2 the frequency... of course... that's why it's an octave), fret 7 = 1/3, fret 5 is 1/4, and so on. Those are the nodes of a vibrating string.
    L: open (fundamental)
    L/2: fret 12 (2nd harmonic). In music this is an "octave"
    L/3: fret 7 (3rd harmonic)... the same is valid also for L 2/3. This is "just perfect fifth"
    L/4: fret 5 (4th harmonic)... also 2/4 and 3/4
    ...

  • @vasilis_tsop4984
    @vasilis_tsop4984 2 роки тому +21

    6:00 Notice that the tattoo in his right hand blends almost perfectly with the curve on the guitar...
    Amazing !! Idk if it was intentional, but it looks clean.
    Awesome video btw. It really helped me figure out more information about harmonics.

  • @dennisssnider
    @dennisssnider Рік тому +1

    Thank you I am coming back to the guitar after a long hiatus. This was an invaluable reminder.

  • @AhmadAmr98
    @AhmadAmr98 6 років тому +402

    a really famous song with harmonics is actually nothing else matters...

    • @eldenboi8354
      @eldenboi8354 4 роки тому +15

      Yeah im actually learning this song and using this video to learn natural harmonics for nothing else matters.

    • @TheMightycfc
      @TheMightycfc 4 роки тому +1

      Come and go blues Greg allman

    • @saulwilliams1899
      @saulwilliams1899 4 роки тому +2

      Yeah but I think he's taking about dazed and confused buddy

    • @HollowGolem
      @HollowGolem 4 роки тому +1

      The intro to "And You and I" by Yes has some harmonic work. Nancy Wilson throws a few into the intro for "Crazy on You" as well.

    • @theimperfectguitarist974
      @theimperfectguitarist974 3 роки тому +1

      Sadness and sorrow from Naruto is also sounds good with harmonics

  • @AngelB2112
    @AngelB2112 Рік тому +3

    Well it's been five years, I hope you've remember the name of the Zeppelin song, but just in case, it's Bron-yr-aur Stomp, it's one of my favourites Zeppelin tunes and I'm happy you acknowledged it. Anyway, have a wonderful day! Thank you for the content!

  • @lovelycayao6226
    @lovelycayao6226 5 років тому +18

    Amazing! This tutorial is really great and effective!! I watched this video for 8 mins and then I practiced it for only less than 20 mins, and now I can do it effortlessly. Thank you for this wonderful video tutorial man!😉👏

  • @r3mii-CL
    @r3mii-CL 4 роки тому +1

    I watched a lot of harmonic videos, but yours was the only one that actually helped to understand how to do it. After I heard I did it, I felt accomplished

  • @scotchbudmeister9018
    @scotchbudmeister9018 2 роки тому +2

    Nice teaching of harmonics! Nancy Wilson's acoustic intro to 'Crazy on You' has some nice harmonics blended in.

  • @atocox166
    @atocox166 7 років тому +9

    Thanks for that new method of tuning guitar (using harmonics).The overall lesson was great.

  • @gm5605
    @gm5605 3 роки тому +1

    I got it down on my first try! And then it just sounded better and better! The light touch isn't a joke, it's like your finger hovers over the fret, just barely touching it. I love how harmonics sound and really want to thank you for making it so easy!

  • @Shashwat_the_one
    @Shashwat_the_one Місяць тому

    I was looking forward to learn harmonics for months, thank you so much! It sounds fabulous!

  • @webworm13
    @webworm13 5 років тому +1

    The best part of your video is when you reminded me it requires practice. Finding the sweet spot directly over the fret and gauging the right amount of pressure to use on the string is easier said than done. It reminds me of the time I learned to drive a stick shift. I THANK YOU for the thorough explanation as I'm enchanted by the sound of natural harmonics. Good Lesson

  • @yelyel2620
    @yelyel2620 3 роки тому +2

    I've wanted to learn about harmonics and this video gave me exactly what i needed. Thank you, and God bless 💗

  • @percybyssheshelley9694
    @percybyssheshelley9694 4 роки тому

    Total beginner here, I listened to John Fahey’s America (title track from the 1971 album) and thought my ears were broken. That’s why I’m here. Thanks.

  • @shantytownbrown
    @shantytownbrown 3 роки тому +1

    Roundabout by Yes is what immediately came to mind. That is for the instruction. First time I learned what these were called and first time trying them on the guitar!

  • @stvgth
    @stvgth 2 роки тому +1

    Bron-Y-Aur Stomp has them in the beginning! These is exactly the instruction I was looking for. Thanks so much! Also Nancy Wilson loves some good harmonics when she plays Crazy On You.

  • @TMillsMusic
    @TMillsMusic 5 років тому +5

    Absolutely love it! Got it instantly, I always wondered what people were doing when I heard these sounds, and now I can do it too!

  • @zoide-777
    @zoide-777 3 місяці тому

    Thank you! I'd never played harmonics and was able to do it for the first time thanks to your video.

  • @TheMick26
    @TheMick26 5 років тому +9

    Great video, Tony! You're an inspiration and fantastic teacher. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and obvious love of music. Cheers, brother!

  • @F5Tornado44
    @F5Tornado44 6 років тому +19

    "Red Barchetta" by RUSH is another good harmonics song.

  • @mojoefelix
    @mojoefelix 7 років тому +21

    It is important to note that when the two harmonics are sounded you will hear if they are out of tune by a "warble." You adjust to eliminate the warble. The closer the two strings are to being in tune, the slower the warble, until finally, when they are in tune with each other, the warble disappears.

    • @harryjoe425
      @harryjoe425 Рік тому +1

      Warble? Is it possible to explain more what that sounds like?

  • @AndrewKimmey
    @AndrewKimmey 5 років тому +6

    You explain things really well, it's so easy to follow along. Sweet and simple with no nonsense :)

  • @Petereed93
    @Petereed93 4 роки тому +14

    the song is Bon-Y- Aur Stomp. It brought me here :)

  • @jimweaver1101
    @jimweaver1101 7 років тому +1

    Tony, you can also play harmonics for chords. For example, if you are playing the E chord with the 2nd frets of the 4th and 5th string pressed, barely touch the same strings at the 14th fret (up 2) with your right finger while picking with your right thumb. You can now play chords.

  • @Norrin277
    @Norrin277 3 роки тому +3

    I’m impressed, both by your ability to teach how to play guitar, and by the fact that I was able to play natural harmonics on the fifth fret after only watching 2 minutes of your video, so thank you so much. I have literally been wondering what natural harmonics where( or what they were called, I couldn’t find any tutorials on how to do it Because of it) for literally more than a year, and I’m so happy that I finally found the freaking name of it, cause now I can use it, so again, thank you so much for making this video, it really helps, and you are awesome😁😁👍👍

  • @David-vs9ci
    @David-vs9ci 3 роки тому +1

    You can also do harmonics on the 3rd fret, the 9th fret, the 19th and 2 more beyond the frets. One is close to the last fret of the guitar and the other is around the middle where you would typically strum the guitar.

  • @DavidJ-gh3fw
    @DavidJ-gh3fw 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you!!! I was getting really frustrated not having played harmonics before. Learning the song For what it's worth, Buffalo Springfield. I thought someone said to lightly touch the string onto the fret bar instead of just directly above the bar without even touching it. What a difference!!! I was also trying to do it on other frets not knowing it only worked on 12, 7 and 5! I kept thinking, "WHY CAN'T I DO THIS!" Really appreciate this lesson!

  • @anyonescover9540
    @anyonescover9540 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much...I am looking only for harmonic and now I learn

  • @believetour5076
    @believetour5076 4 роки тому +1

    Your channel is so underrated! Thanks tony!

  • @travelingaquaguitar6125
    @travelingaquaguitar6125 4 роки тому

    I have been struggling with getting perfect natural harmonics for a while but once I watched this tutorial, I got it right away! Thanks!

  • @boom_its_rory
    @boom_its_rory 2 роки тому

    i've known what natural harmonics were, and "how" to do them, for so long but i've never actually been able to ... within three minutes of this video I played one for the first time. thank you so much !!

  • @James-nr9gm
    @James-nr9gm 4 роки тому

    Came here to learn harmonics for tuning by ear! Was very happy. You can also use harmonics to make tuning your high E off an A440 easier.

  • @aaroncasteel9628
    @aaroncasteel9628 Рік тому

    Literally thought we were about to get a lesson to "Bron'-Yr'-Aur" stomp and then Tony says he can't remember the name of the song! lol. God Bless you Tony! Thanks for this lesson and all that you do.

  • @axay3.0
    @axay3.0 Рік тому

    amazing !!!!!!! i couldn't play harmonics before. saw few people live. nobody could explain. you did like in 5 mins sir.

  • @ToniLeirvikLarsen
    @ToniLeirvikLarsen 3 роки тому +1

    This was SO helpful!! Thank you so much for creating this! I've always wanted to learn harmonics, without knowing where to start.

  • @brookebradford2111
    @brookebradford2111 5 років тому +1

    You CAN tune the B string, standard tuning, using harmonics... Get your source tone from the low E string, 3rd fret harmonic (the resonance node is actually about where fret 3.25 would be). It will match the B string 12th fret harmonic...

  • @MekaGhost
    @MekaGhost 2 роки тому

    it's been a few seconds and already am playing some thanks man

  • @lostpenguin3682
    @lostpenguin3682 2 роки тому

    Can never do a harmonic before. However i manage to play harmonic after learning from your video. Thanks a lot! nice teach!

  • @sameenakausar1020
    @sameenakausar1020 6 років тому +6

    I like your technique of achieving the harmonics by touching the string right over the fret.Thanks !

  • @astreatomato6953
    @astreatomato6953 2 роки тому

    i learned fingerstyling with his videos when i was 13. now here i am back here learning harmonics. its never too late :)

  • @victortapia40
    @victortapia40 Місяць тому

    Angie from The Rolling Stones also starts with one harmonic. Great tutorial

  • @richie.mason06
    @richie.mason06 10 місяців тому

    Literally the first I have had this guitar. Immediately wanted to know how to do this because I thought it was so cool why not learn something neat. Honestly, I thought it was some high level technique that you had to practice forever until you got it, but no. It’s so much easier than I could’ve imagined once he said you could do it at the 12 fret I tried it and bam! I got it
    You’re amazing bro
    Merry Christmas

  • @iconsworld9
    @iconsworld9 3 роки тому

    I just found the harmonic at the 9th fret, and it sounds amazing you guys.

  • @lliason8497
    @lliason8497 3 роки тому

    This was so helpful! I’m a beginner and came across natural harmonics in one of the songs I’m trying to learn. Thank you for the great video!

  • @pete9639
    @pete9639 7 років тому +14

    Hey Tony, remember the group YES from the early 70's? If you don't remember, listen to their song ROUNDABOUT. Nice harmonics! Also E.L.&P song FROM THE BEGINNING. Adios.

  • @lugame859
    @lugame859 Місяць тому

    thank you so much, you really helped me to improve as a guitar player

  • @amanarora5239
    @amanarora5239 4 роки тому

    This tuning tip is exceptionally useful!

  • @nathanielnoel9233
    @nathanielnoel9233 4 роки тому

    hey im 12 and im a beginner guitarist, and this really helped me out... THANKS!!!!

  • @c.schellmusic9732
    @c.schellmusic9732 4 роки тому

    Thanks for this! I saw someone do it at a show and I wanted to learn. I appreciate your teaching style.

  • @AZoe-mb6nl
    @AZoe-mb6nl 3 роки тому +3

    Mind blown! I didn't know you could do this on a guitar

  • @jimdoner3443
    @jimdoner3443 4 роки тому

    12 string harmonics are awesome I added 3 descending in a pause in the song Amanda (Boston) get a lot of compliments on it the band uses a single bell chime in concert.

  • @beallglory
    @beallglory 2 роки тому

    Learning harmonics for the first time, great instruction, thanks!

  • @roycotton5277
    @roycotton5277 Рік тому

    Thanks for all these great quick "how to" coverage tips on harmonics! I am working on two Christmas songs from Roberto Dalla Vecchia and needed a review while watching how seamlessly and nicely he plays them in harmonic phrases on his Christmas tunes (Silent Night and First Noel in Drop D tuning).

  • @joeoddi7569
    @joeoddi7569 2 роки тому

    Thanks for the lesson! and I believe the tune is "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" off of led zeppelin 3

  • @itzyaboiunknown8639
    @itzyaboiunknown8639 4 роки тому

    Regarding tuning your guitar using harmonics - you left out a really useful tuning tip. When you sound the harmonics of 2 adjacent strings, if there is even a slight differential in correct relative tuning, then a "beat" frequency will be produced which is quite audible if you listen intently for it (the tone produced by both harmonics sounded together will "throb"). Starting from a string which you know is in tune (I always use the A string because I can hit that tuning quite accurately by ear): the more closely the adjacent string (the one being tuned) is in the correct relative tuning, the smaller will be the differential in the frequency of each sounded harmonic (between reference string and adjacent string), resulting in a slower beat frequency. The more widely the adjacent string is tuned (too low/high), the larger will be the differential in the frequency of each sounded harmonic (reference string, adjacent string), resulting in a faster beat frequency for the combined tone. These beats are quite discernible when the adjacent string is out of tune. When the reference and adjacent string are correctly tuned, the beat frequency differential is zero and you will not be able to discern the beat - et voila.

  • @benjaminperez4570
    @benjaminperez4570 7 років тому

    You sir, are amazing. Before I watched this video, I had no clue what harmonics on a guitar was. But by the end of it I was able to play with fret harmonics with (I would say) 95% accuracy. Thank you for existing.

  • @alfiandaniel1790
    @alfiandaniel1790 4 роки тому

    Thank you so much. I've been practising doing harmonics so many times before and finally just right after watching this video. I can play the harmonics just by a little try.

  • @royburrows7148
    @royburrows7148 4 роки тому +1

    Thank you so much for the lesson. I didn't know that I didn't know that.

  • @roadrunner1277
    @roadrunner1277 3 роки тому

    That was a great video! I've been struggling with this for a couple of days now and you just showed me how to do it perfectly in less than 10 minutes. :)

  • @antoinettavogels8550
    @antoinettavogels8550 4 роки тому

    I love your explanation and examples and the teaching pace. Thank you

  • @m0rgoz
    @m0rgoz 3 роки тому

    That video teached me how to play harmonics, thanks a lot.

  • @therealsparkman
    @therealsparkman 7 років тому

    More great tidbits of acoustic knowledge for my ongoing learning. Thanks TP! Cheers!

  • @unajardinera
    @unajardinera 4 роки тому +1

    nice!!! just love that erie sound of the harmonics! great tutorial! again loove the harmonics they make the song come to life!!!!!

  • @Rie-s8g
    @Rie-s8g Рік тому

    didnt know what harmonics were till today, could do it in less than 5 minutes bc of u. thx🙏

  • @tick_magnetedschaper5611
    @tick_magnetedschaper5611 Рік тому

    That is pretty cool! I had no idea. Like magic! Thanks Tony

  • @paolomartini143
    @paolomartini143 5 років тому

    Thanks Tony. In order to avoid error propagation it is actually better to keep the low E and A strings as reference for tuning high E and B strings. Seventh fret armonic on low E string should match open B string and seventh fret harmonic on A string should match open high E string

  • @ig_gambit
    @ig_gambit 5 років тому +1

    THANK YOU!!! I’m super excited to have learned this. Subscribed!

  • @nicolen.9642
    @nicolen.9642 5 років тому +5

    Thanks Tony for this harmonics lesson I was curious about!

  • @harshpunj24
    @harshpunj24 5 років тому

    The Best Harmonics Lesson Ever!!!

  • @rubinsahu2170
    @rubinsahu2170 2 роки тому

    Thanks Tony for making this useful lesson

  • @Pepperyeen
    @Pepperyeen 5 років тому

    New to guitar and this has helped me so much, thanks man

  • @mophead3078
    @mophead3078 5 років тому

    Thank you for the advice kind sir! A little under a year of practicing the guitar and enjoying everyday of it.

  • @romain7852
    @romain7852 Рік тому

    Very clear, thanks a lot from France !

  • @jonathanholcomb5793
    @jonathanholcomb5793 4 роки тому

    You are very good at teaching and easy to understand 👍👍👌

  • @wheezyjefferson9136
    @wheezyjefferson9136 7 років тому +11

    I was just trying to figure this out!

    • @janpaulmartin2632
      @janpaulmartin2632 7 років тому

      you have cleared a lot of things i was doing wrong. Thank you for the great lesson. Is your guitar a D41 ?

  • @moh-_-4102
    @moh-_-4102 3 роки тому

    I wanted to do Hermonics for a long time and I just played it now in 1 minute from your video

  • @johnm9915
    @johnm9915 5 років тому

    Maybe the Led Zeppelin song that used harmonics that you couldn't remember was "Roundabout". If so, that would explain why you can't remember it... since it was by Yes, as you know. Toward the end of your lesson, when I tried full bars of harmonics as you were doing, I realized the 12th then 7th bar harmonics, is the beginning to Neil Young's "Goin' Back". I love that song and I love hearing those two harmonic bars because they sound so cool and they tell me that a great song is coming. Your initial demos for the harmonic bars are incredibly crisp and give a high bar to shoot for, but your lesson did give me the tools. Thank you. (Not sure if before your time, but Stairway to Heaven and Roundabout were both released in 1971, were both incredibly good songs, and may have been the two most popular songs to learn on guitar for a very long time to follow.)

    • @jasonmaynard2402
      @jasonmaynard2402 2 роки тому

      Perhaps he was thinking of Dazed and Confused?

  • @ronlevenberg2985
    @ronlevenberg2985 5 років тому

    Great lesson for playing the natural harmonics! Next step beyond these natural harmonics is to play a harmonic of any note: Finger (press down on) a note, say G on the first string, 3rd fret. Then, with your right forefinger, on the same string as that G, touch the string 12 frets higher than that G that you are fingering (i.e., touch the first string, 15th fret) and use your right thumbnail to pluck the string. You'll get a G harmonic. If you've got that down, try fingering a G chord at the third fret (xx5433). With all those notes in place, you can use your right hand forefinger+thumbnail technique to play all of the notes in that G chord with harmonics. You can, of course, do that with any chord or any note on the fingerboard, so now you're not limited to the natural harmonics on the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets.

    • @nelltheplantgirl
      @nelltheplantgirl 2 роки тому

      WOW thank you so much, that was exactly what i was trying to figure out. Im learning a song where the intro is played in harmonics and i couldn't play it at all, thanks for the helpful advice!

  • @Yarin4ever
    @Yarin4ever 5 років тому +2

    Thanks for the video ! Beautiful technique.

  • @Ilovequran105
    @Ilovequran105 4 роки тому

    Niceeeee, omg thanks man, you are the best teacher ever.

  • @cungtin7
    @cungtin7 4 роки тому

    OMG !!!! This is life-changing!!!! HAHAHA Thanks man!! you made it so easy to understand that I got it even before your video ends. I just subscribed!

  • @marioyasha97
    @marioyasha97 5 років тому +4

    12th 1/2 length of strings from nut
    7th 1/3
    5th 1/4
    You can find the fourth one around 4th, which is 1/5

  • @shirleyshaynes6732
    @shirleyshaynes6732 4 роки тому +25

    "That's The Way" by Led Zeppelin

  • @mokasajin
    @mokasajin 4 роки тому +1

    i masterd it in less than an one minute
    Thank you😁

  • @christianthrush7570
    @christianthrush7570 2 роки тому

    My Grandma died 10 years ago, she always wanted me to be able to play harvest moon on the guitar, thanks to you Michael, her dream can come true

  • @sebastiantveito4854
    @sebastiantveito4854 9 місяців тому

    Got it instantly, great tutorial. I thought you had to do it "inside" the 12th fret, not "on" it

  • @wcfinlay
    @wcfinlay 4 роки тому

    This exactly what I was looking for. Ever since I heard Heart use harmonics in the start of Crazy on You, I’ve wanted to learn how to do this.

  • @jamesmorrison2063
    @jamesmorrison2063 6 років тому +7

    I can get them on the 9th fret also. Maryjane's Last Dance has harmonics at the beginning. Is that a D42? or maybe a D41 Special?

  • @SEGAClownboss
    @SEGAClownboss 4 роки тому

    You've answered sooo so many questions I had. Thank you so much.

  • @ppinkevich
    @ppinkevich Рік тому

    Such a good educational video. Thank you sir

  • @RomeoRamirez523
    @RomeoRamirez523 3 роки тому

    This made my day 👍🏻 keep it up brother

  • @DruDilly
    @DruDilly 8 місяців тому

    Thank you for this! A buddy of mine led me on a path here....

  • @raquelsudol762
    @raquelsudol762 7 років тому +10

    Tony are you playing a Martin D-41 Special??? Beautiful guitar..

    • @tacguitar
      @tacguitar  7 років тому +7

      Good eye :-) That is the exact model.

  • @AlexpxThreeTen
    @AlexpxThreeTen 4 роки тому +1

    Think you’re thinking of Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp. Trying to learn that now and that’s what brought me here

  • @anirudhts2759
    @anirudhts2759 4 роки тому +63

    His lessons be like:
    Step 1. Search what you want to learn.
    Step 2. Take a vid from Acoustic Life.
    Step 3. THERE IS NO STEP THREE. Its that easy...