Using Harmonics
Dorko asked a good question about harmonics in a thread about the bass chat beta test. I wanted to move the disucssion and any additional followups here (there are a few followups in the other thread).
My answer: harmonics, as Paul pointed out, are often used for tuning and, by cutting-edge bassists, in solo work. But you'll find them in certain lines, especially in intros and such (the intro to "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam being one example). Jaco Pastorius and Victor Wooten use them extensively, both in solo and band settings.
A really practical one that you can add to your regular playing is this: Fret low G on the E string (3rd fret). Use your pinky to lay lightly across the fifth fret on the D and G strings. Playing the fretted G along with these two harmonics makes a nice G chord, but also a very practical one that you can use in real playing situations.
I'll have more on this later. Gotta run.
Wheat
Harmonics in this context
Harmonics in this context are places on the string where, by lightly touching the string without fretting, you get a pure tone that is an integer multiple of the fundamental string frequency. For example if you lightly touch the A string at the 12 fret and pluck the string you get a pure tone of 880Hz. That is twice the frequency of the fundamental A=440Hz.
Here is an excellent wiki article on harmonics.
As far as using harmonics in a bass line, well there isn't all that much call to do so except perhaps in solo work. Harmonics are pure tones and rather 'other-worldly' in sound.
Another more common use of harmonics are in tuning your bass. You can get a more accurate absolute tuning from the 12fret harmonics...
and a more accurate relative tuning from 5th and 7th fret harmonics.
Hope this helps a bit.
This is an excellent post!
This is an excellent post! But I think there are some real-world (non-solo) applications, as I mentioned in my post. I hit that G + harmonic chord all the time (especially as an ending chord on anything in G). The strength of using a fretted note along with one or more harmonics is you get the strong fundamental of the fretted note along with the "other worldly" quality of the harmonics. It lets you get a sort-of keyboard effect along with the bass.
Wheat
bassplaying.com
Thanks Wheat. I didn't mean
Thanks Wheat. I didn't mean to imply that there wasn't any non-solo applications, simply that it's rare to hear harmonics in the bass groove. That G+ harmonic chord is one I have to try although I'm not much good at chording.
BTW Wheat, I'm nearly ready
BTW Wheat, I'm nearly ready to deploy the app for inserting chords/scales/sequences. I just need to code a 'clear' button and try to code the window settings. For the cut and paste version we only need a plain vanilla html link somewhere on the reply or create content page.
I've done that. Great
I've done that. Great sound, that one. I think we are two peas in a pod bass-wise. You need to call me for sure next time you come down here.
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
Bo
You don't love me, you just love my FINGERSTYLE!
Peavey T40; SX/Squier P-bass; Spector Legend 5
Roland Bass 30 Cube
Harmonics on Bass
[quote=Paul Warren]Harmonics in this context are places on the string where, by lightly touching the string without fretting, you get a pure tone that is an integer multiple of the fundamental string frequency. For example if you lightly touch the A string at the 12 fret and pluck the string you get a pure tone of 880Hz. That is twice the frequency of the fundamental A=440Hz.
................[/quote]
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If it's the A-string on a bass, I suppose the fundamental is 110Hz and the harmonic is 220Hz. I figger this on 440 being middle A [Piano] so 220 would be A-below-middle-A [Guitar, Cello] and so 110 would be 'A' for Double Bass/Contrabass.
Make sense ?
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In a perfect world,
at the end of the day,
tomorrow never comes.
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In a perfect world,
at the end of the day,
tomorrow never comes.
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Actually I think you are
Actually I think you are right. I always get confused with the fact that all tuning is done from A=440Hz. I end up forgetting the A string is lower than that. Now that probably means the A string isn't exactly 110Hz it's probably 110.something. I'll have to check the theory sites to make sure.
A440 and middle 'C'
[quote=Paul Warren]Actually I think you are right. I always get confused with the fact that all tuning is done from A=440Hz. I end up forgetting the A string is lower than that. Now that probably means the A string isn't exactly 110Hz it's probably 110.something. I'll have to check the theory sites to make sure.[/quote]
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Yeah. And I can never remember whether A440 is just above or just below middle 'C', so I may be off by an octave as well. Even tho I'll 'reforget' again, tell me ... does an "official" octave start on 'A' or 'C' ? IOW, is A440 the vi above middle 'C', or below it ?
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In a perfect world,
at the end of the day,
tomorrow never comes.
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In a perfect world,
at the end of the day,
tomorrow never comes.
`
I found the answer. A440 is
I found the answer. A440 is A above middle C. So A is the vi above middle C.
Close, the A string played
Close, the A string played open is 55hz. What confuses the issue is that bass music is written one octave higher than it sounds.
bassplaying.com
Cool
I don't use harmonics even though I understand them. Just tried your G chord... very cool
Pete
Thanks Pete! I stole it
Thanks Pete! I stole it from Victor Wooten. I often like to hit the two harmonics together (like on the "and" of a beat) and then hit the fretted G on the one. That's another trick I stole from Vic.
Wheat
bassplaying.com