Welcome to my comprehensive guide on bass guitar harmonics!
Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player looking to refine your technique, this post will provide you with all the essential knowledge you need.
We'll dive into the science behind harmonics, break down the technical steps to play them, and highlight some iconic bass guitar songs that feature harmonics. By the end of this guide, you'll be equipped to add a new dimension to your bass playing with the beautiful and unique sound of harmonics.
All the shapes and diagrams from this lesson come from my free The Bass Guitar Resource Book ebook which you can download by signing up for free to my weekly newsletter.
The Science Behind Bass Guitar Harmonics
Harmonics are produced when a string vibrates in multiple segments rather than its full length. When you lightly touch a string at specific points called nodes, you prevent certain segments from vibrating while allowing others to resonate freely. This creates a series of higher-pitched tones, or harmonics, that are mathematically related to the fundamental frequency of the string.
Here’s a bit more detail:
- Fundamental Frequency: This is the pitch you hear when you pluck an open string. It’s the lowest frequency produced by the string’s vibration.
- Harmonics: These are integer multiples of the fundamental frequency. For example, the second harmonic vibrates at twice the frequency of the fundamental, the third harmonic at three times, and so on. These harmonics form what is known as the harmonic series.
Here are all the harmonic notes produced on a bass guitar:
The diagram above is contained in my The Bass Guitar Resource Book ebook.
How to Technically Play Harmonics on Bass Guitar
Playing harmonics involves a delicate touch and precise finger placement. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Find the Node Points: Common nodes are located at the 12th, 7th, and 5th frets, among others. These points divide the string into equal vibrating segments.
- Light Touch: Lightly place your finger directly above the fret wire (not in between the frets) at the node point. Do not press down; simply touch the string gently.
- Pluck the String: Use your plucking hand to play the string while maintaining the light touch with your fretting hand. The harmonic should ring out clearly if done correctly.
- Release: Immediately after plucking, lift your fretting hand finger off the string to allow the harmonic to sustain.
Bass Guitar Harmonics Chords
This is where the fun begins! You can use these in bass lines and endings. Here are a few harmonics bass chords. Download this and the rest of the shapes in The Bass Guitar Resource Book.
Bass Guitar harmonics chords
Bass Guitar Songs Featuring Harmonics
Incorporating harmonics into your bass playing can add a unique flavor and texture. Here are some iconic songs that utilize bass harmonics:
- "Portrait of Tracy" by Jaco Pastorius: A beautiful showcase of natural and artificial harmonics, demonstrating the melodic potential of bass harmonics. Jaco wrote the book on harmonics on bass!
- "Wearing The Inside Out" by Pink Floyd. Guy Pratt wrote the chords for this using a beautiful stereo delay and harmonics.
- "Lifting Shadows Off A Dream" by Dream Theater: John Myung's use of harmonics in the intro creates a haunting and melodic atmosphere.
- "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam: Jeff Ament's use of harmonics contributes to the song’s unique and memorable bass line.
Now that you understand the science behind bass guitar harmonics and have learned the technique to play them, it's time to incorporate them into your practice and performances. Experiment with the node points and try coming up with your own combinations of chords from the shapes in The Bass Guitar Resource Book.
See how you might incorporate a harmonics chord in the end of a song (although don't overuse this amazing trick).
Have fun!
