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Harmonic Bends


Kronosphere
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Joined: 05/07/07
Posts: 1
Kronosphere
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Joined: 05/07/07
Posts: 1
05/07/2007 11:28 pm
Hi
I was wondering how to harmonic bend, I already know how to harmonic if that makes it any easier....
# 1


Joined: 06/07/26
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Joined: 06/07/26
Posts: 0
05/07/2007 11:35 pm
I'm assuming you are talking about pinched harmonic bends.

If that's what you are referring to, this is possible by slighty rubbing the side of your thumb (of your picking hand) on the string as you play the note. By just barely touching the string, the guitar should produce an harmonic like sound. Now once you're able to do a pinched harmonic, the only thing left to do is to do a normal bend like you would do with any regular note.

Harmonic bends can also be produce by using a guitar that has a wammy bar. In that case you could play a natural harmonic and then use the wammy bar to bend it up or down.

Here's a few lesson on harmonics and the different types of harmonics you can make.

http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=4227&s_id=35
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=2397
http://www.guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=10224&s_id=267
# 2
pizzicatopicker
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Joined: 07/19/06
Posts: 142
pizzicatopicker
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05/08/2007 2:07 pm
There are several ways to bend harmonics...

1. Bend the strings behind the nut...

2. If you have a floating bridg esystem, or a tune-o-matic system, you can use your palm to push down on the strings, to raise the pitch....

3. With the use of a tremoolo system...

4. With the use of specific pedals...

And 5., Which I suggest you use with extreme caution...
Bend the neck itself, as in hold the headstock and press it into' your own body... This is horrible for the guitar, but if used sparingly, it'll be fine...
# 3
ren
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ren
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05/08/2007 2:20 pm
or, you could bend a natural harmonic, E.G. Fret the D string at the 5th fret (G) then hit the fret wire of the 17th fret with a finger on your picking hand.

When you get the harmonic - bend the string... and voila.... a harmonic bend. I also wondered if it could mean a unison bend or something, with definitions varying so widely... ?

I wouldn't bend my guitar neck if I was you... I might say I did it to sound cool though.... :)

Check out my music, video, lessons & backing tracks here![br]https://www.renhimself.com

# 4
Weslaba
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Joined: 11/20/05
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Weslaba
My Baby's a Fender!
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Posts: 657
05/08/2007 9:27 pm
Originally Posted by: pizzicatopickerAnd 5., Which I suggest you use with extreme caution...
Bend the neck itself, as in hold the headstock and press it into' your own body... This is horrible for the guitar, but if used sparingly, it'll be fine...

Yeah... I wouldn't bring that up in the topic of harmonic BENDS. Maybe for vibrato or whatever, but the thought of getting a half or whole step bend by pulling on the neck is a really bad idea. You did say use with extreme caution, but just to keep the record straight. I myself have done this for small vibrato effects, but ya, bends and the neck don't go together. I can just imagine snapping the headstock right off. :eek:
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# 5
pizzicatopicker
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Posts: 142
pizzicatopicker
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Posts: 142
05/11/2007 2:01 pm
Originally Posted by: WeslabaYeah... I wouldn't bring that up in the topic of harmonic BENDS. Maybe for vibrato or whatever, but the thought of getting a half or whole step bend by pulling on the neck is a really bad idea. You did say use with extreme caution, but just to keep the record straight. I myself have done this for small vibrato effects, but ya, bends and the neck don't go together. I can just imagine snapping the headstock right off. :eek:


Very true... I shiver just thinking about breaking my trus rod on my Parker. :eek:
# 6

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