Execution of Natural Harmonics

• Left hand will touch the string above the fret and not behind it like playing a normal note
• Release the string fairly quickly to allow the string to vibrate
• Playing left hand closer to the bridge sets the string in motion more forcefully to create a clearer pitch
• The clearest natural harmonics are at frets V, VII, and XII.

Example Explained

This is an excerpt from guitar repertoire. The notation is below.

Natural Harmonics

Example Explained

Notation of is not standardized for natural and artificial harmonics. In this case, the note normally played has a diamond note head. The corresponding fret to play the harmonic is given above. Also, the fret number is preceded by an h to indicate the use of natural harmonics to ring the note. The string number is given to remove any doubt that this is a natural vs. artificial harmonic.