Harmonics?

[JuliusGroove]

How can I get my harmonics to ring out better?

Would lower action help? I'm plucking by the bridge but on some of the harder frets I just can't get them singing..

Any advice greatly appreciated

[HowieBass]

Lower action won't help in the slightest - you don't want the string in contact with the frets or fingerboard when you sound the harmonics at the 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th etc. You need to practice a light touch and accurate positioning.

[JuliusGroove]

Ah I see. Yeah those are the ones I can ring out nicely, it's more harder to get ones like around the third fret etc. I'm studying portrait of Tracy currently and some of those I just can't get to ring out.

I'm plucking quite hard with my right hand but fretting softly..

[icastle]

Harmonics on the 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th frets should be dead easy.

If you're trying to get them on the third fret then unless you're using new strings, forget it.

[JuliusGroove]

[quote name='icastle' timestamp='1417377638' post='2619775']
Harmonics on the 5th, 7th, 9th and 12th frets should be dead easy.
[/quote]

Yeah man they're easy, it's the smaller spacing ones. I need a string endorsement.

[TKenrick]

I find the exact location of harmonics varies from bass to bass - it's worth spending some time trying to find the 'sweet spots' on the bass you're using (this is really important if you're doing artificial harmonics as well). On some of mine the 4th fret harmonics aren't directly above the fret.

In terms of right hand technique, try and get the string string underneath your fingernail, this will help to bring them out more.

If you're using a jazz bass then bridge pickup all the way. Using a compressor helps things but is by no means essential.

Good luck, Portrait of Tracy is a beast of a tune - I can never get that last chord to ring out the way Jaco does!

[HowieBass]

On all of my basses the 4th fret harmonic (which is the same as the 9th and 16th fret harmonic) is a couple of tenths of an inch behind the fret (back towards the nut) and the 3rd fret harmonic is about the same distance after the fret. It's just a case of finding them.

[Count Bassy]

There is no harmonic at the 4th fret! There is one at 3.9, and one at 4.4. Similarly for the "3rd fret" there is one at 2.7, and one at 3.2.

On the left hand you want the lightest of touches with the smallest possible contact area. Try using the side of the finger tip rather than the pad of the finger tip, as it is a much smaller radius (one my fingers at least) and allows a smaller contact area.
The aim is to force a node at the point of contact, thus killing any frequencies that would require movement at that point, but not to dampen surrounding frequencies.

[kroogie]

Use a light touch in the left hand and attack in your right hand(by the bridge), and bridge pickup only...

[ambient]

Boost the mids on your amp slightly.

[ambient]

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1419343329' post='2638931']
There is no harmonic at the 4th fret! There is one at 3.9, and one at 4.4. Similarly for the "3rd fret" there is one at 2.7, and one at 3.2.

On the left hand you want the lightest of touches with the smallest possible contact area. Try using the side of the finger tip rather than the pad of the finger tip, as it is a much smaller radius (one my fingers at least) and allows a smaller contact area.
The aim is to force a node at the point of contact, thus killing any frequencies that would require movement at that point, but not to dampen surrounding frequencies.
[/quote]

Agree about using the side of the finger, it reduces the dampening effect of the finger pad on the string.

[font="sans-serif"][color="#252525"]The harmonic at the 4th fret (or thereabouts) is the same as the one at the 9th, and the same as the note at the 4th fret.[/color][/font]

[font="sans-serif"][color="#252525"]​I like to play the fretted note on the 5th fret the string below, and play the harmonic at the 4th fret on the string above, a major 3rd.[/color][/font]

[font=sans-serif][color=#252525] [/color][/font]

Edited December 26, 2014 by ambient

[FuNkShUi]

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1419622923' post='2641412']
Boost the mids on your amp slightly.


[/quote]

Yup. This would be my suggestion