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From touch to pinch harmonics

Next, pick the string, then touch the edge of your right hand thumb (the part that is currently closest to the string) at the point where you found that natural harmonic. At first, try this as a 2-step process. You will pick, then touch the edge of your thumb on the string at the point of the natural harmonic. This is still a touch harmonic, you are just using the edge of you thumb to do it.

Touch harmonic with thumb

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A pinch harmonic is where you pick and touch the edge of your thumb on the point of the harmonic at the same time. Be sure to have only a very small part of the pick sticking out from your thumb and finger, and pick only with the very tip of the pick.

Pinch Harmonic

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This whole example was using an open string. But pinch harmonics can be done on any fretted note as well. Since the point where your right hand will need to pick will vary depending on what notes you are fretting, you will need to experiment. There are times when you will hear only the harmonic and other times when you will hear a combination of the fretted note and the harmonic.

If you move your right hand by small increments to the right or left, you will get different pinch harmonics for the same fretted note. This is where the science of pinch harmonics comes in.

Moving your right hand to create different pinch harmonics

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You can just wing it, or you can map out your harmonic strategy on a particular riff or lick. Guitarists like Zack Wylde have pinch harmonics down to a science.

Page 1, Introduction to pinch harmonics on the guitar