Artificial Harmonics Introduction
Introduction
Artificial, or false harmonics are produced by completely depressing the string with one finger (or the thumb) and lightly touching a node point above the stopped pitch with another finger. The stopped pitch becomes the new fundamental whilst the finger lightly touching the string is activating a point of the harmonic series as it relates to the stopped pitch.
Extensive passage based work using artificial harmonics is difficult to execute as it requires the left hand to be relatively rigid in order for a successful execution.
Instrumental Techniques
Explanation of Charts
example chart
The upper stave gives the actual resultant pitch (non transposed).
Artificial, or false harmonics are produced by completely depressing the string with one finger (or the thumb) and lightly touching a node point above the stopped pitch with another finger. The stopped pitch becomes the new fundamental whilst the finger lightly touching the string is activating a point of the harmonic series as it relates to the stopped pitch.
Extensive passage based work using artificial harmonics is difficult to execute as it requires the left hand to be relatively rigid in order for a successful execution.
Instrumental Techniques
- All arco techniques are available to use in conjunction with artificial harmonics but be aware that the specified limitations of the technique in question are increased by the fragility of artificial harmonic production.
- Its is possible to use glissando between pitches and portamento often arises as a subsidiary concern if artificial harmonics are slurred.
- Col Legno articulations do not produce much of the resultant pitch particularly more percussive articulations. Col legno tratto produces slightly more pitch but still negligible.
Explanation of Charts
example chart
The upper stave gives the actual resultant pitch (non transposed).
Denotes on each string where pitches are available. Notes that are unreliable
or (in box) very unreliable.
or (in box) very unreliable.
Out of range pitches
The following pitchs are not available on any strings (on a standard four stringed instrument) when using a stopped third, fourth or fifith.
