Guitar Harmonics: Natural, Pinch and Artificial Harmonics, Step by Step
Harmonics are the bell-like notes you get by touching a string instead of pressing it. The 12th, 7th and 5th frets are the place to start, and the technique takes about ten minutes to learn.
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In this guide
A harmonic is a chiming, bell-like note you play by touching a string lightly at a precise point, rather than pressing it down to the fret. The easiest one is at the 12th fret: rest a finger lightly on the string directly over the 12th fret wire, pick the string, and lift the finger. You will hear a pure note an octave above the open string.
Harmonics sound magical and are used everywhere, from tuning to song intros to metal squeals. This guide covers natural harmonics, pinch harmonics and artificial harmonics, and explains why they only appear at certain frets.
Your first harmonic: the 12th fret
- Choose the low E string.
- Rest the pad of a fretting finger on the string directly above the 12th fret wire, not between frets. Do not press it down at all.
- Pick the string firmly, a little closer to the bridge than usual.
- Lift the touching finger as soon as you have picked. The note keeps ringing.
Where the natural harmonics are, and why
A string vibrates as a whole, but also in halves, thirds, quarters and so on at the same time. Touching it at one of those dividing points stops the main vibration and leaves only the smaller part ringing, which is higher in pitch. Those points fall on specific frets:
| Fret | String divided into | Sounds | On the low E string |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 2 (halves) | 1 octave above the open string | E |
| 7 (and 19) | 3 (thirds) | 1 octave + a fifth | B |
| 5 (and 24) | 4 (quarters) | 2 octaves | E |
| About 3.9 (just short of the 4th fret), 9 and 16 | 5 (fifths) | 2 octaves + a major 3rd | G# |
The 12th, 7th and 5th fret harmonics are loud and easy. The ones near the 4th and 9th frets are quieter and harder to hit; the 4th-fret one sits a little behind the fret wire (toward the nut).
Harmonics across all six strings
Lay one finger flat across all six strings over the 12th fret wire and strum: you get an E minor chord one octave up, because the open strings make E, A, D, G, B, E. At the 7th fret the same trick gives notes a fifth higher. Playing the 12th, 7th and 5th fret harmonics in a row on the top three strings is one of the most common harmonic patterns in song intros.
e|-------------------<12>-<7>-<5>-| B|-----------<12>-<7>-<5>---------| G|---<12>-<7>-<5>-----------------|
Tuning with harmonics
The 5th-fret harmonic on one string is the same note as the 7th-fret harmonic on the next string up (except between the G and B strings). Play them together and listen for a "wobble": it slows down and disappears as the two notes match. It is a precise way to fine-tune by ear. A tuner is still faster; our free tuner works from your phone's mic.
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Pinch harmonics (electric guitar)
The screaming, squealing note in rock and metal solos is a pinch harmonic. It is made by the picking hand:
- Hold the pick so only a little of the tip shows past your thumb.
- Pick downward and let the side of your thumb brush the string immediately after the pick hits it.
- Move your picking position along the string, between the neck pickup and the bridge, to find the spots where the squeal pops out.
Pinch harmonics are much easier with distortion, the bridge pickup and plenty of volume. Add vibrato straight away and the note sings. Expect it to take a few practice sessions before it works reliably.
Artificial and tapped harmonics
- Artificial harmonics: fret a note normally, then with the picking hand touch the same string exactly 12 frets higher and pluck it with the thumb or another finger. You get the 12th-fret harmonic of the fretted note. This is how players get harmonics on any note, not just open strings.
- Tapped harmonics: fret a note (or play an open string) and tap the string sharply with a picking-hand finger exactly 12 frets higher, right on the fret wire. Over a chord, this creates a shimmering, harp-like sound.
Harmonics in tab
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| <12> or "N.H." | Natural harmonic at that fret |
| "P.H." | Pinch harmonic on the note shown |
| "A.H." or numbers in brackets | Artificial harmonic; the bracketed number is where to touch |
| "T.H." | Tapped harmonic |
If tab is new to you, see how to read guitar tabs. For more lead techniques, see vibrato and hammer-ons and pull-offs.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play a harmonic on guitar?
Touch the string lightly directly above the fret wire (not behind it), without pressing it down, pick the string, and lift your finger straight away. The 12th fret is the easiest place to start.
Why do harmonics only work at certain frets?
A natural harmonic happens where the string can divide into equal parts: halfway (12th fret), a third of the way (7th fret), a quarter (5th fret) and so on. Touching it there stops the main vibration and lets only that part ring.
What is a pinch harmonic?
A squealing high harmonic made by letting the thumb of the picking hand graze the string just after the pick hits it. It works best on electric guitar with distortion.
How are harmonics written in guitar tab?
Natural harmonics are often shown in angle brackets, like <12>, or with "N.H." or "harm." above the staff. Pinch harmonics are marked "P.H." and artificial harmonics "A.H." or "T.H." for tapped.
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