Pinch Harmonics help please....

[Steinmetzify]

The problem isn't you. There simply aren't any pinch harmonics left...Zakk has used them all up.

My stomach hurts now. Thanks man.

 

[LowDesertSludge]

The problem isn't you. There simply aren't any pinch harmonics left...Zakk has used them all up.

I vote this for quote of the year !

 

[thenine]

 

[IceMan]

Do this: Put your pick down. Instead of a pick, use the nail on your index finger of your picking hand as a 'pick'. You will have to adjust your thumb and index finger a bit to rotate the finger so it strikes the string as if it where a pick. What will happen is the nail on your index finger will strike the string first and the skin right under the nail at the top of your finger pad will graze the string immediately after, causing the "pinch" harmonic you are trying to achieve. Your nail needs to be long enough to grab the string, but not too long that the skin on your finger gets passed over. Once you get the hang of it, then re-introduce your pick and try it using the skin on your thumb to graze the string right after the tip of the pick hits the string. This will get you squealing like Zakk in no time....................

 

[LowDesertSludge]

Everyone's advice helped a great deal. Really appreciate it. Starting to get the hang of it. Now I wanna go through
my riff bank and throw in a few here and there. Zakk said he'd Fed-ex me his sloppy 3000th's to borrow for a while. : )

 

[glip22]

Wylde's claim to Fame. Who else is recognized for their squealers

 

[LowDesertSludge]

I see what everyone means by how easy it is to pop one out with the gain 11'd. Was surprised to find some hidden on my acoustic tonight too!

 

[moronmountain]

Choke up on the pick like others have said. There should be barely any visible pick, and it should where the nail off your index finger eventually. Don't "follow through" with the pick much either. You have to through away your correct technique of pick at your elbow, and do more of a "cheating" wrist/finger type pick motion. Bending the string downwards helps to prevent the "muting" you're experiencing. Until you master it, you want butt loads of highs, a lot of mids, very little lows, tons of pre amp gain, and even some compression. Once you're good at it, you should be able to do it on a nylon string acoustic. Above all.......... play with power, like you mean it! I can do pinch harmonics on a bass guitar that isn't even plugged in.

 

[moronmountain]

Wylde's claim to Fame. Who else is recognized for their squealers

I learned it in the mid 80's listening to Jake E. Lee, Vivian C. and Priest. Where do you think Zakk learned it?

 

[fretout]

Wylde's claim to Fame. Who else is recognized for their squealers

I'd put Dimebag up there too...

Great Southern Trendkill (the song) at 1:53

 

[Shawn Lutz]

You can try raising your action up a bit it will make it easier to practice the pinching and once you get it down you can lower the bridge again. Gain and amp distortion have nothing to do wit...you should be able to pinch away even unplugged and hear the harmonics ring.

Most if it is where you pick...try using the G string and pinch, bend and pluck simultaneously at different right hand positions (closer to the bridge moving closer to the neck) thing ZZ tops La grange and keep at it until you figure it out but don't over use them als Zakk once you do

 

[lettmusic]

just adding one more tip to all the good ones here: make sure you have enough gain and mids in your amp, it does help. Of course you can pinch on a clean tone or an acoustic if you want, still comes out but that's not what we're talking about here. Another thing is the bridge pickup is better for the squeals to fly out than the neck.

 

[4Eyes]

Lots of gain with a clean boost always helps too!

I don't recommend that. one move is essential, sweet spot is important, too. learn to play pinch harmonics on clean sound, once you get it right on clean sound, you can step into hi gain pinch harmonics heaven

 

[crankyrayhanky]

I understand this point of view, but to me positive reinforcement is powerful. Nailng a hi gain pinch is fun & makes me want more. Clean tone pinches sound weird & are not fun

 

[4Eyes]

yes, I agree, they sound weird and are not fun, it's more about practicing correct technique - good hit with picking hand at right spot and you have to sound like Zakk Wylde even without plugging to your amp

 

[lettmusic]

I understand this point of view, but to me positive reinforcement is powerful. Nailng a hi gain pinch is fun & makes me want more. Clean tone pinches sound weird & are not fun

 

[glip22]

Wylde's claim to Fame. Who else is recognized for their squealers

I learned it in the mid 80's listening to Jake E. Lee, Vivian C. and Priest. Where do you think Zakk learned it?

There's a few of them for sure. Go back to Roy Buchannon, Beck

 

[syncrodude007]

The problem isn't you. There simply aren't any pinch harmonics left...Zakk has used them all up.

this...

 

[IceMan]

Billy Gibbons used them a lot in his playing as well.

 

[thiswaythatway]

I remember in 1983 or 84 I was just learning how to play and standing in a guitar store drooling at everything on the wall and some guy was playing a Charvel and he was ripping harmonics. I remember asking him how he did that, his answer was " You Just Do em". Yes before the internet that was how much help and info we'd get.