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GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH Your Personal Guitar Lesson |
Photo by Robin Gentile, NYC
| BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT" It contains many of Doug's Previous Guitar Technique Tips of the Month |
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It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
Nailing Harmonics Past the 19th Fret
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
This month's tip is a simple but very useful little trick. Have you ever come across a right-hand
harmonic that had to be plucked past the 19th fret? Two of the more famous and dreaded
stratospheric harmonics in the guitar literature occur at the end of the second movement of
Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Many guitarists don't play the notes as harmonics or
choose to play other pitches out of fear of missing the harmonics at this very delicate and
exposed moment in the piece. But there is a simple and obvious way to overcome "harmonic
acrophobia."
For instance, say you are holding a D# on the first string at the 11th fret that you need to play
as an artificial harmonic. You have to hold that D# with the left hand, and then with the right
hand, touch the first string lightly at the 23rd fret with the index ("i") finger and pluck the string
with the "a" finger or with the thumb. But where the heck is the 23rd fret? Will you be able to
find it accurately all the time? What about the pressure of a public performance--will you "nail
it?"
All you have to do, is find the exact point on the first string that you need to touch to get a clear
harmonic, and then mark that spot on the string with a pen such as the Sharpie Permanent
Marker (not the ultra-fine point model though). Rotate the string to be sure you mark it all
around the string's diameter. Let the ink dry for a minute and you are all set (the ink will wear
off in time, so you will need to remark it occasionally). You will confidently touch the precise
spot on the string every time.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
By Douglas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt, All Rights Reserved. This article may be reprinted, but please be
considerate and give credit to Douglas Niedt.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
This month's tip is a simple but very useful little trick. Have you ever come across a right-hand
harmonic that had to be plucked past the 19th fret? Two of the more famous and dreaded
stratospheric harmonics in the guitar literature occur at the end of the second movement of
Joaquin Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez. Many guitarists don't play the notes as harmonics or
choose to play other pitches out of fear of missing the harmonics at this very delicate and
exposed moment in the piece. But there is a simple and obvious way to overcome "harmonic
acrophobia."
For instance, say you are holding a D# on the first string at the 11th fret that you need to play
as an artificial harmonic. You have to hold that D# with the left hand, and then with the right
hand, touch the first string lightly at the 23rd fret with the index ("i") finger and pluck the string
with the "a" finger or with the thumb. But where the heck is the 23rd fret? Will you be able to
find it accurately all the time? What about the pressure of a public performance--will you "nail
it?"
All you have to do, is find the exact point on the first string that you need to touch to get a clear
harmonic, and then mark that spot on the string with a pen such as the Sharpie Permanent
Marker (not the ultra-fine point model though). Rotate the string to be sure you mark it all
around the string's diameter. Let the ink dry for a minute and you are all set (the ink will wear
off in time, so you will need to remark it occasionally). You will confidently touch the precise
spot on the string every time.
You are on DouglasNiedt.com
BE SURE TO VISIT DOUG'S "SECRET VAULT"
Doug's Dirty Little Secrets.
It contains ALL of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
Doug's Dirty Little Secrets.
It contains ALL of Doug's Previous
Guitar Technique Tips of the Month
Have a comment?
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
Question?
Suggestion for the website?
We would love to hear from you.
We have a Printer Friendlier (PDF) version of this article that's also easier on the eyes.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
It's SO much easier to read a printed article than to read it from the computer screen.
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| These are my very detailed, in-depth articles and high-def videos on how to play the classical guitar. It's like getting your own private guitar lesson every month. Need info on classical guitar right hand technique? Guitar scales? How to play bar chords? Harmonics? Looking for a classical guitar practicing routine? Tips on performing onstage? How to tune a guitar? Looking for easy Christmas guitar arrangements? Chances are, I have covered it, or will soon. The tips are by subscription only. |
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Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on the
Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written tips run
over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and the
production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Be a better guitar player or teacher. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on
the Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written
tips run over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and
the production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.
Purchase a ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION to:
DOUGLAS NIEDT'S GUITAR TECHNIQUE TIP OF THE MONTH
Doug's Guitar Technique Tip of the Month will be sent to you monthly. These are the best on
the Internet. No one else's technique articles and videos even come close. Most of the written
tips run over 20 pages. Most of the videos run from 15-30 minutes. The tips are thorough and
the production is excellent. Check out the free tips in Doug's Vault for a sampling.
A one-year subscription (12 tips) is only $24. That is only $2 per tip.