Guitar harmonics

A Flageolettton is generated on a stringed instrument sound, caused by the excitation of a harmonic of the frequency of the string and thus corresponds to a integral multiple of the fundamental frequency of the string. The name comes from the flageolettähnlichen sound of these tones on the violin.

To generate Flageoletttönen is easy thimble on the strings division points 1: 3, etc. causes that only those harmonics can come about that have a vibration node at the appropriate place: 2, 1. In contrast to the fixed gripping ( shortening the vibrating length of the string ) vibrates at harmonics the string as a whole, including "behind" the finger ( see → pictures below).

In terms of feasibility, the higher the harmonic, the worse it speaks to and the harder it is to bring forth.

Physically correspond Harmonics the natural tones in wind instruments, which are produced by overblowing.

• 3.1 Game Technical Relief
• 3.2 Meaning of pure intervals at the federal instruments
• 3.3 flageolet glissandos
• 3.4 Tuning Aid

Distinction as to type of production

Natural harmonics

The starting point is the empty string. Listed here is mostly the sound, as it usually is only one possible execution, or in several possible versions the player the choice can be left. In a circle is set, which indicates that the corresponding sound is produce by (natural ) harmonics. If you want to write down the handle, so you may have to the string on which the natural harmonic is run, specify with. The sound of the light patch finger is listed as diamond-shaped note head.

Artificial harmonics

The starting point is the fixed fretted string. Listed are the firmly gripped his fingers as a normal note head and the loose fingers positioned as a diamond-shaped note head. Often, the actual sound in brackets is added. Artificial harmonics require a high level of care in the design and are due to the complex handles more difficult to produce than natural Harmonics.

Pick - harmonics in the guitar

This harmonic is in contrast to the natural harmonics mainly carried out with the picking hand. When a string is played with a plectrum, one attenuates them immediately with the batting again ( for example, with the thumb knuckle or the middle finger ). Thus, very high harmonics can be generated. With the other hand, the required root is taken.

Distinction regarding gripped interval

Depending on the interval between the initial note and the sound is, which would resound place at Wi- Finger Transfer on solid gripping, varied the height of the Flageoletttons generated at this point:

Special Applications

Game Technical Relief

Although Natural harmonics at a distance of more than one octave above the open string does not sound at all, but in many cases as those laid gripped tones. Since the harmonics but better " start " and also sound right even with slightly inaccurate gripping, they are often used in low string passages in high position to play technical relief.

Representation of pure intervals at the federal instruments

Since the sounding pitches are part of the harmonic series, they differ from the usual equal temperament from more or less. A Terzflageolett sounds, for example, 14 cents lower than the fixed fretted major third. Can be played in just intonation with Flageoletttönen thus also on Bund instruments ( guitar or viola da gamba ) tone sequences.

Flageolet glissandos

A special effect is the harmonic glissando, in which - not all sounds, but only the overtones of each open string made ​​to sound - unlike the firmly gripped glissando.

A particularly impressive application of this effect can be found in Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird, where it is used in the introduction to atmospheric portrayal of the magic forest.

Tuning Aid

Harmonics can be well used for tuning (especially lower) stringed instruments such as guitar, electric bass, cello and double bass. For this purpose a suitable natural Flageolettton is played and compared both with the root of another, higher empty string. A deviation between the pitches is then clearly audible through beats.

Representation of Flageoletttönen at the guitar

The following drawing shows various natural harmonics on the A- string of the guitar compared to just gripped strings.

The " calculations " are written not formally correct, but only to provide a simplified short typeface indicates additions here refer to the frets and divisions on the division ratio of the string. The digits 8 and 8 indicate octave leaps.