Pinch Harmonics Tutorial - Unleash Your Inner Guitar Hero

Pinch Harmonics Tutorial - Unleash Your Inner Guitar Hero
Master pinch harmonics with this ultimate guide that breaks the technique down completely. I show you exactly how to generate them consistently and accurately. You will no longer wonder how to play pinch harmonics on guitar after studying this video. So get going with this pinch harmonics lesson and get squealing!
#PinchHarmonics #HowToPlayPinchHarmonics #GuitarLessons #TimHolman
0:00 Pinch Harmonics Demystified/What Are They?
3:40 Up Close Look At The Technique
5:31 How To Find & Accurately Play Pinch Harmonics
• Pinch Harmonics Tutori...

[@TimHolman]

I get a lot of questions regarding pinch harmonics so I really wanted to clear up the mystery with this video. I'm confident that this video will greatly increase your ability and confidence to hit pinch harmonics. I actually trimmed about 5 mins of footage to keep the video on point but let me know if you want to go further into the world of harmonics and we can go deeper in an upcoming video. As always, thanks for watching and supporting the channel! I have a few spots open for new students right now. Head over to my website to check out rates: timholmanofficial.com/private-lessons or get in touch by email: [e-mail]

[@mattclawson6919]

you taught me a normal harmonic and that made me understand the task at hand lol

[@pissymissy9565]

I can’t wait to share this technique with my neighbors. 👹🎸

[@emartinezr]

They're gonna love it 👌

[@adrian3588]

Jjjj but at 3:00 am

[@skipacuff5104]

🤣🤣🤣

[@smb7647]

😂👍🏻

[@katayounkharparvar558]

Lmfao 🤪 😂 💀

[@wilmoney4619]

The reason that it is called a pinch harmonic is because back in the 80s we learned to do it by pinching the pick so that only a 1/16th of an inch or about 2mm was exposed to pluck the string with. Obviously there is a better way to do it consistently and so you can even play a scale of notes with it but that is how it was done in the guitar mags and teaching videos back then. No bullshit

[@TimHolman]

Ah, a holdover from the 80's. Thanks for clearing that up. A bit before my time (guitar playing time anyway). Yeah, it was always a mystery and it just seems a bit tedious to alter the grip. I can just see all the 80's kids now trying to constantly change how much pick is showing. Lol. I don't do much beyond adding my thumb.

[@drefrazier4266]

I do that with clean tones or on acoustic. It's risky as the pick tip can disappear completely, you might even drop it, but it kinda bullies the A.H. into happening when it would otherwise be stubborn. I don't know if this counts as a pinch but you can use the side of the pick too in a kind of slicing motion.

[@wilmoney4619]

@@TimHolman a lot of dropped picks hahahaha

[@wilmoney4619]

@@drefrazier4266 absolutely man! There are always people coming up with better ways to shred! Hahaha

[@user-kw2rl8df2s]

​@@TimHolman I always pick with only the tiniest bit out from under my thumb I play metal AND use a thick little jazz pick Dunlop JD Jazztone 205

[@Ali-wk5ge]

NOBODY EVER FREAKING TOLD ME RIGHT HAND PLACEMENT FOR WHEN YOU PICK MATTERS!!!! I ALWAYS JUST THOUGHT MY LEFT HAND TECHNIQUE SUCKED!! HOLY SHIT! I THINK AFTER 25 YEARS I WILL CONSISTENTLY PLAY ARTIFICIAL HARMONICS, PLUGGING IN NOW!!! THANKS!

[@redrocks1983]

Same here... I can't believe how much time I wasted trying to learn these by "fretting" correctly. Lol 🙄 It was pre-internet/social media.

[@michaelmarchei8539]

SKULL YEEEAH HOSS !111

[@karaokeentertaintment8197]

Can't be serious.🤦🏻‍♂️

[@rippedjack1]

Best pinch harmonic lesson I’ve watched. Very helpful and thorough.

[@daithidoyle5869]

Deadly lesson, I wouldn't say no to a deeper dive into harmonics if that's your pleasure 👍🏻

[@TimHolman]

Cool, thanks!

[@johnlizmore3678]

I’ve never understood how to do this trick. But now I do. Great stuff! Thanks!

[@TimHolman]

Happy to help!

[@mopeymcjopey7391]

Best lesson on pinch harmonics. Thank you!

[@TimHolman]

Happy to help!

[@ferguson4096]

This is the best tutorial I've seen on the topic. Great way to build the idea up in parts to the final product.

[@trabrex7697]

I really like the wooden wall behind you

[@RustinRoark]

Finding the harmonic sweet spots for your setup is one of the critical steps many tutorials miss...now to seamlessly hit the AHs during play throughs....

[@vincental3038]

best video about pinch armonics in 2023.

[@kollabrock]

Great lesson, easy to understand! The only thing you should have added...is how important vibrato is in order to make the pinched harmonic sustain longer and sound way better

[@statutorygrapes]

Tim my man! We need And Justice For All lessons, especially from the best!

[@TimHolman]

I'll have Dyers Eve out soon. Needed to get something out between song tutorials and I've had lots of questions on pinch harmonics.

[@edwardglyons]

@@TimHolman the day that lesson drops my wife will be a guitar widow until I got all of Dyers Eve down solid. Can’t wait!

[@imcnblu]

I love those Acoustik Attak Stealth Picks. Another youtuber sent me a pack of them about a year ago, and they've gotten a lot of use. Fantastic design and sound.

[@RJsCave]

Good video! So many people need help with this.

[@TimHolman]

Yes, it's a very common question. As I mention in the video I think that even the name confuses people.

[@gabedom_]

All the natural harmonics are mirrored on the string, with the 12th fret being the center. Same distance from the nut to the 12th, as from the 12th to the bridge. So pinch harmonics are the mirror opposite of natural harmonics around the 3rd fret.

[@siegfriedschlag4353]

Guten Morgen, tolles Video, vielen Dank für deine Arbeit 🔔 👍 wünschen dir einen guten Start in die neue Woche ❤️Grüße Anne und Siggi 🔔 Abofreund 🔔🎹

[@robowizard6132]

Really great video, keep up the good work, these videos are so useful and in no time you're gonna be one of the biggest guitar youtube channels out there

[@TimHolman]

Thanks man! Really great to hear!

[@KaneRaggsK9Beats]

Excellent explanation!

[@joetimilty221]

Awesome video thank you!

[@user-zk5hq6of5b]

Thanks this helps a lot. I will work on it.

[@NinjaRunningWild]

I've watched & read (& was taught) a LOT on this technique but this was far & away the most practical & useful approach I’ve seen. I really feel like I understand what’s happening now. Thanks!

[@peterhenderson2193]

Awesome. Thanks for this.

[@len73-]

Awesome lesson..thankyou

[@jimr5793]

Great lesson.

[@TheMyrkr]

Awesome video as always 👍

[@d3w4yn3]

Holy Spankage, Batman! You actually explained this like nobody else has ever explained this before!! GLORIOUS!!!

[@TimHolman]

Haha, great comment! Thank you!

[@hubertgunpowder]

Awesome video, Tim !! ♫

[@metalcat7486]

thanks man.. really helpfull

[@eyesofmadness]

Fantastic information! I’ve been playing since the age of 9 and have never been able to make these harmonics come out.

[@EricEdwards1]

Great Pinch Harmonic lesson, best one I have come across.

[@olivervilo]

The best explanation found. That's how you do things!

[@mariuszj78inwazjamelodii43]

Very beautiful one again. Big bravo friend

[@Sojourner-Life]

Great video! Thorough tutorial, nice guitar, cool concise presenter, clean audio. Thanks for this

[@tigermcflash131]

Thank you! The best tutorial on pinch harmonics that I have seen..!

[@jzu907]

nice man im a beginner and pinch harmonics have been tough for me and you touched on some cool tips i hadnt seen before in a lot of other videos! thanks

[@weets69]

Awesome vid/lesson. Easy to follow explanation. Luv the capo hack🤘

[@goveriusmylliemumlongchann4207]

The best video and instruction for pinch harmonics. Thank you for this video. Now I can learn pinch harmonics with my practice.

[@desenhoserock_]

I finally learn this! Thank you!!!

[@TimHolman]

Awesome man! Glad to help!

[@mattnobrega6621]

Good video. It's hard for me to learn technical things, and this video really breaks it down barney style so that I can absorb it. Now I need to apply it. Thanks for the lesson

[@oscarcaballero5670]

Very useful lesson, thank you so much.

[@TimHolman]

You're welcome!

[@xio5672]

You made me learn pinch harmonics, thank you so much!!

[@TimHolman]

Glad to hear it! You're welcome!

[@edwardglyons]

Fantastic lesson!

[@TimHolman]

Thanks Edward!

[@alexanderdavis9636]

Thank you, now I know how to do it.

[@TimHolman]

Glad to hear that!

[@scorpio1155]

I just found your channel. As an old guy nearing 70, I gotta tell you, I LOVE your teaching style. Thank you!

[@TimHolman]

Thanks for dropping a comment! Glad I can help!

[@JACKPAVAL]

Good video! In Jacksonville Florida, We call it a Pick- Bite

[@bjstein4242]

I laugh when people say this guitar does not pull of pinch harmonics as if their is something wrong with it or its construction.. its a math problem and string length, gauge all play a part.. finding WHERE that note is, is most important.. different guitars, scales lengths.. # frets will look different.. you have to know your guitar.. nice lesson.. !!!

[@CarlWinter-oy8uf]

You are spot on ---those almost impossible pinch harmonics do not involve any pinching --but still very difficult to achieve !

[@BrettBolzenthal]

I second that! Best pinch harmonic lesson. Some say the tip of pick needs to point towards fretboard. Also Zakk does something a little different. He uses his fingernail to hit first then the pick.

[@Sergio2006A]

Thanks a lot for this lesson, Tim. I think your explanation is the best I've seen on YT about this technique. I think now I get it but I need more practice for sure.

[@TimHolman]

Glad to help!

[@PaulWilliams-xz3mz]

Video of the year so far, I've always wondered how they do that...thanks I've liked and subscribed...and hello from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@TimHolman]

Thank you!

[@benmyths]

whenever i used to play guitar i somehow did pinch harmonics randomly without even knowing how it happened... was always curious about that.. thx for this lesson

[@mowieboy]

I was so happy when I finally learned these, but to this day I cannot replicate the Zakk Wylde A string 2nd fret pinch harmonic he does. I think it’s partially due to his active EMG pickup, but not sure. Anyways, great intro into this. Wish I had the internet 30 years ago!

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

When Billy Gibbons was asked how he got his pinch harmonics he replied, "Ya gotta grab that twine and make it whine!" 😆😆😆 4:12 ... and that's wherer the term "pinch" harmonic comes from...you've pinched off much of the pick...

[@charlienagy2385]

great detailed video, thanks. You think active pickups bring out pinch harmonics better ?

[@martinkuliza]

0:46 if i was responsible i would have called it the screaming harmonic of awesomeness

[@Moonshine449]

You madlad. I got it within 5 minutes, thank you

[@TimHolman]

Glad to hear it! You're welcome!

[@Sdevistan]

I've been practicing this for 5 months and can't get it to sound, I feel stupid. Like if I try to do the pick then slighly touch it doesn't even modify the sound and if I put just a little bit more strenght it mutes it, I'm completely stuck

[@Sdevistan]

@@michaelmiller1257 I’m actually getting it now, though I still get no sound some times but mostly if I’m learning the song . What worked for me is doing it with the side thumb fast instead of the front of the thumb, leaving as little as possible of the pick outside. Needs a lot of practice from my perspective

[@ryancrarymusic]

Is your distortion cranked? I have more luck with distortion opposed to just an overdrive

[@IZ7IZ7]

@@ryancrarymusic I’m using an overdrive and I can’t get the sound so maybe I do just need a distortion pedal

[@ryancrarymusic]

@@IZ7IZ7 I’ve got several ODs, one Dist and one fuzz. The easiest time I have is with distortion and I’m not really pinching- just sustaining with a bit of vibrato. Give it try let us know how it goes 🤘🏽

[@IZ7IZ7]

@@ryancrarymusic I just started getting into pedal got my first one the boss overdrive last month. On sweet water they got a ds1 and the boss looper for $200 for both you think that’s a good deal?

[@concretedonkey9947]

wow, finally a YT video that explains it matters where you place your right hand. I've been playing since 2020 and have been baffled by this. I've been wondering why I have to move my right hand, when the tutorials don't mention this and the player appears to not have to move their hand. Thanks for clarifying this is actually necessary. Oddly, at the start of the video you don't appear to be moving the position of your right hand even though you play harmonics over a span of about 5 frets. I find where I can get the perfect harmonic for a particular fret I can also play 2 frets lower before I'd need to reposition my right hand.

[@TimHolman]

The pinch harmonics that I'm hitting in the intro are mathematically related to the fundamental but I could choose another pitch by changing the position of my hand. There are harmonics all over, you really just have to make sure that you're not hitting a 'dead spot.'

[@ZethKeeper]

Naming wise in Russian they're called artificial harmonics, as opposed to natural harmonics you can find on 4th, 5th, 7,th etc. frets.

[@lewistait6665]

wow...that capo idea!!!

[@maxlawrence6981]

🔥🔥🔥🤘🎸❤️

[@djay6651]

I can do them pretty easy on the higher strings, but not so much on the lower notes on the wound strings.

[@mcmaniac108]

That's a badass guitar, you should clean the dust and grime from under the strings and pick-ups 🎸🤙🏼✌🏼

[@TimHolman]

Lol, I was waiting for someone to mention that. That took a looong time. I should give you a prize. Haha!

[@Breamin]

Can you do a tutorial on Way Cool Jr from Ratt? That song has a really bluesy sound to it but rocks really loud.

[@irritatie]

It might be called a pinch harmonic, because of the way you would play fretted harmonics on a Spanish guitar. Obviously you wouldn’t have a pick, so you have an extra finger to use. You’d lightly put your index finger on the hotspot of your string, while plucking it with your thumb, releasing the index finger. It’s a pinching movement.

[@gaetanmottin1703]

assomme thank you i never heard explications like yours

[@TimHolman]

Thanks man!

[@asraiSOA]

Awesome lesson… and that guitar is FN gorgeous. LMFAO… Beer or capo… the struggle is real.

[@martinkuliza]

8:54 IF YOU DON'T HAVE A CAPO.... Get a shoelace and tie it around your guitar, it does work Also it would be good for people to actually understand what harmonics are relative to the reference note as opposed to just saying Ohhh, here's one and there's a nice one and there's a dead spot LEARN WHAT HARMONICS ACTUALLY ARE. and if you have an oscilloscope, Hook your guitar up to you and generate a note in FFT Mode and then hit the harmonic and see what happens or even better ... Tune your guitar with an Oscilloscope, See what happens to teh waveform as you tune up and down

[@Dildobagginses]

How often do you change your g string?

[@Aresmusic.official]

Please correct me if I'm wrong. You need to find the right exact place of the harmonics on the strings for each one of the notes on the fretboard?!

[@leviguidry5178]

From my understanding they’re called pinch harmonics cuz you pinch it between your thumb and pickup

[@8478als]

Hello and thanks for sharing your tips!! When you are doing the pinch harmonics, are you hitting the string with your thumb downwards or can you do it upwards? I still haven't mastered this technique. I find it easier to get pinch harmonics holding the pick between my middle finger and thumb.

[@TimHolman]

I am always making a downward motion while adding my thumb.

[@8478als]

@TimHolman This is a technique a definitely have to master. I just can't seem to get them using my thumb

[@keystonslater3774]

Great video mate. What is that guitar? I want it.

[@TimHolman]

Thanks! The guitar is one of a kind. It's a custom K6 Kiesel.

[@user-kw2rl8df2s]

What your ACTUALLY doing is lightly touching the vibrating string JUST ENOUGH to cut the distance the string is vibrating in half, it also has to be touched the correct distance from the fretted note.

[@mirukal9620]

ive been practicing trying to play pinch harmonics for weeks now, probably totaling more than 10 hours. ive watched every single video there is about pinch harmonics on youtube, and still the most i ever get is a quiet squeal. i love guitar and i used to love electric guitar too but man i hate it so much now because of this one trick. i honestly dont know what im doing wrong

[@itzjetlife3639]

same brother same, i did it twice yesterday and couldn’t replicate it ever since

[@concretedonkey9947]

I'm pretty decent at them now. My only confusion until now was why I had to move my right hand to make different frets sound out. I thought it must be something wrong with my set up, but this video has cleared that up for me. As the video mentions you have to find the sweet spot for where you right hand should be for each fret when playing a harmonic. There are a few for each fret but I usually stick with the same ones (same pitch). I have two guitars and it's the same for both, so I assume the sweet spots are the same on all guitars. The way I think of it is in the middle of the neck pick up is the sweet spot for the 4th fret. Just off the neck pick up to the bridge side is the sweet spot for the 7th fret etc and the opposite side for the 2nd fret. Also, I find I can play harmonics 2 frets below where the sweet spot is, although they don't sound nearly as good i.e. if my right hand is in the sweet spot for the 4th fret, I could also create weak harmonics on the 3rd and 2nd fret without the need to move my right hand. I would of course be better to move my right hand to the 3rd and 2nd fret sweet spots. The problem with that of course is it's taking focus off what the left hand should be doing - lol. I will say I think pinch harmonics are the most difficult thing to get good at. It took me aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages. My advice would be don't freak out about how long it takes to get good at them. I wouldn't try and make it part of a regimented practise routine as I could see how that could drive someone mad, as most people probably don't see results for a long time. If they're frustrating you maybe try playing them for a few minutes MAX each day. I think the best way to learn guitar is by not getting to a point where you hate what you're doing. I've definitely switched up my practise routines over the years, when I felt myself burning out doing what I'm doing. Knowing what I know now I feel the best way to learn guitar is by learning theory alongside technique. I used to focus heavily on technique, but after putting a lot of time into theory I really see the benefits. The guitar frets/notes/chords were pretty meaningless to me before learning theory.

[@chadbaird180]

What kind of guitar is that?

[@user-su3ce1ii6b]

Can you do that on a box guitar?

[@TimHolman]

I've never tried but I don't see why not. A vibrating string is a vibrating string. The harmonics would be there.

[@christredwin2551]

So if I understand it, the exact spot needed to produce a harmonic varies depending on which note you're fretting? No wonder a lot of players find it so random, whether you get one or not, and can't consistently find a harmonic on demand. I guess you really need to dive into it and study a bit.

[@TimHolman]

Yes, the harmonics change according to the note that's being fretted. However it's all mathematically related. An easy example would be that we all know a harmonic is sounded at the 12th fret of the open string. Therefore if you fret the first fret you will then be able to find the same mathematically related harmonic (octave) at the 13th fret. It's still 12 away. For further study, the harmonics that you'll find will be part of the overtones series of the note that's being fretted.

[@shangamingyt23]

how to do it without muting the string?

[@Mammot2]

Why when i touch it with thumb it just blocks sound

[@Zero_thehero]

What are the amp settings volume vs gain vs bass/middle/treble why not show your amp? It sounds like an expensive one are you using a noise gate? A distortion or overdrive. Like what’s your signal chain and settings man?

[@nsc217]

Pinch harmonics because you pinch the pick to get it

[@icarosoo7406]

Were is battery man

[@user-kw2rl8df2s]

Why is that pickup pole so high? Looks like the string is about to make contact.

[@rsi2493]

What guitar is that?

[@TimHolman]

It's a custom K6 Kiesel

[@MrNeron75]

This lesson is so good that you can have some copyright issues with Zakk Wylde 😂

[@TimHolman]

Ha, thanks man!

[@edwardrochester6523]

Why is it called "pinch": Pinch harmonics: you are pinching the string against the fretboard with your left hand Harmonics: you are not pinching the string with your left hand

[@mr.kebar1]

I cant do it even with two hands, whenever i pluck and touch the string, nothing happens, just cant get that squeek... I looked god knows how manny videos of ppl explaining but its a no go... :/ i must be doing something wrong..

[@TimHolman]

That's too bad. I like to hear that my videos are helpful haha. Can you get natural harmonics at the 12th, 7th and 5th frets? Get those happening first. They're the easiest since the frets mark where they are. Once you can get those then you'll know exactly the touch you need to have on the string. Next comes pinching. You can even practice pinching those harmonics rather than finding higher ones.

[@mr.kebar1]

Thanks for the reply, i‘m glad to tell you there’s been some progress :D Harder pick, some more gain, and seems like i found the way to hit/pinch the string with both, pick and thumb, and voilà. But it‘s useless at the moment, because i need to “aim“ and adjust..so it’s slow and bad, but at least i can get the sound out :) Ty for the help!

[@elarmuzik]

why i just mute a string when touching arrggh

[@EvieW-jp6wu]

Hit the g spot on your strings basically 😂

[@elarmuzik]

@@EvieW-jp6wu haha best explanation I can get...Nice one ,I just figured out need to feel that string more

[@alexmckenziemusic]

it’s called that to use harmonics in a pinch

[@deano572]

it’s called pinch harmonic because you “pinch” up on the guitar pic to brush your thumb on the string….. your welcome Also, my friend tried to teach this to me explaining basically the same thing. I still couldn’t do it on demand for well over a year even though I knew how to. Then one day BAM, it was on like a light switch. On demand, easy peasy….. I figured out the secret. The secret is just keep practicing, it’s just a technique you will develop it. In my case I probably put 500 hours of playing time before I had my harmonic awakening.

[@black_reign48]

Except it is a pinch?

[@philcurtis9619]

Don't know why you would call it that we call it pitch harmonic here were I live

[@richgh4905]

I thought it was a pitch harmonic lol oh well

[@tooshiesty4066]

buddy, its a "pinched" harmonic, because the correct way to play it is by picking and "pinching" the string between the pick and thumb, ur not supposed to brush it, its one fluid motion, pick and thumb hit at the exact same time, pinch the string between them, pinched harmonic

[@shayntaylor8058]

No.

[@09Kadaj]

Dude wash your guitar

[@MotleyMike]

Didn’t work at all for me!

[@hojunlee5622]

I didn’t know there were dead spots. I just assumed I was doing it wrong. That changes so much lol

[@danirizov9783]

I NEED HELP BROTHER