Total accident! Is this technique new?

[RandomHero]

Playing around a while ago, I discovered that I can make a harmonic in a way I'd never thought of or heard before.

Harmonics die out if you rest your finger on them, right? Anchored by two solid ends they'll ring for a -long- time. I actually made a mistake in my fretting and got a harmonic sound out of what I thought was a normally fretted note...

Turns out I had been hitting the harmonic as I normally would, but then fretting the string immediately afterward, before the harmonic faded! Not only does the harmonic hold out for a long time this way, it can also be bent!

Has anyone else ever used this technique? It's a bit tricky at first but I've gotten to the point where I can do it every time I try, on any harmonic on the fretboard.

[Trey]

Zakk Wylde does that kinda thing all the time, you should try sliding up or down the neck slowly while holding the harmonic...sounds killer.

[StratLover]

This is a really CRISP sound especially at high gain and with a little chorus. ZAKK is probably the best at this, closely fallowed by the Satch and Steve Vai.

I love the use of harmonics within the chord frame. When picking chords in a series and progression, try using this technique in the root of the chord with bends and a little dive bombing.

You will find a whole new genre of your particular style! ;D ;D ;D

[bam]

I think Satch & Vai improved the technique a bit by adding some whammy tricks.

Try it with stereo chorus and crunchy overdrive. Feels like being electrocuted, I think.

[StratLover]

HA HA HAAAA---------Thats what I was trying to say "bam" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[johan]

Wow, I'm by no means into metal, but (read: that's why) this was a really useful post for me. I learned something new.

thanks, RH, great hint
J

[guitardoode]

I quite often mess about on my JS signature doing that stuff, it really is quite a laugh, it's like doing satch's on stage natural harmonics by the bridge then giving the trem arm a nice good tug thingy, What a lovely tone ;D I love doing that but i have the Cheaper version and the arm just goes all loose and i need to tug it so hard to get the same tone... and im scared of doing that.... (I snapped an arm doing it after a month of buying the thing!!!)
I still trying to figure out if it has a proper name, i personally named it the whammy scream

[strathappy]

Good harmonic tips, all sorts: