Guitar & Harmonics: Learning Fundamentals & Techniques

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    Guitar Harmonics
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the fundamentals of guitar playing, particularly the concept of harmonics and their relationship to the fundamental pitch of guitar strings. Participants explain that while guitar strings primarily produce a fundamental tone, harmonics can be introduced by lightly touching the string at specific points, such as 1/2 or 1/3 of its length. This technique creates artificial nodes that allow the string to vibrate at higher frequencies, producing harmonics. Additionally, the discussion highlights that harmonics can die out quickly due to their faster oscillation rates, which contributes to the characteristic 'twang' sound when a string is plucked.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of guitar anatomy and string physics
  • Familiarity with guitar playing techniques, specifically harmonic techniques
  • Knowledge of sound wave properties, including frequency and oscillation
  • Experience with fundamental tones and their relationship to harmonics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research guitar harmonic techniques, focusing on finger placement and string length
  • Explore the physics of sound waves and their impact on musical tones
  • Learn about different picking techniques and their effects on harmonic presence
  • Study the relationship between string tension and pitch variations in guitar playing
USEFUL FOR

Guitarists, music educators, and anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of sound production and harmonic techniques in guitar playing.

ZealScience
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I am learning to play guitar now, I am wondering why guitar strings always give the same sound (pitch). In my opinion, it is because it is always the fundamental, but why there is never presence of harmonics during playing?

Also there is a technique in guitar playing called HARM. You just put your finger loose at approximately 1/2, or 1/3 of the string and leave it when it is working. Then you can play harmonics. Then how is it working?
 
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Also there is a technique in guitar playing called HARM. You just put your finger loose at approximately 1/2, or 1/3 of the string and leave it when it is working. Then you can play harmonics. Then how is it working?
Maybe by placing the finger at specified places you are creating artificial nodes that forces the string to vibrate with that particular harmonic.
 
aim1732 said:
Maybe by placing the finger at specified places you are creating artificial nodes that forces the string to vibrate with that particular harmonic.

Makes sense, thank you
 
There are harmonics when you play a guitar. You can affect the ratio of harmonics to fundamental tone by where you pick or strum the string, near the middle of the string (less harmonics) or near the end (more harmonics). As mentioned, placing your finger on the string at key spots (1/2, 1/3) prevents the normal fundamental tone, resulting in a higher tone.
 
ZealScience said:
I am learning to play guitar now, I am wondering why guitar strings always give the same sound (pitch). In my opinion, it is because it is always the fundamental, but why there is never presence of harmonics during playing?
There are harmonics, but they die out rapidly because they oscillate faster.
You can hear them die out. That is why you hear 'twang' if you pluck a string.
The 'tw' is the sound of the higher frequencies. The 'ng' is the lower frequency fundamental.
 
clem said:
There are harmonics, but they die out rapidly because they oscillate faster.
You can hear them die out. That is why you hear 'twang' if you pluck a string.
The 'tw' is the sound of the higher frequencies. The 'ng' is the lower frequency fundamental.

Yes, that is true. I've heard that, thank you for explanation.
 

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