1. Positioning:
- Place your picking hand little finger close to the string (around the 12th fret) where you want the harmonic to ring out.
- The left hand should be at a lower fret (usually in the lower half of the guitar neck), and the finger presses down on the string as if you were playing the note normally.
2. Picking:
- Use your picking hand index or middle finger to pick the string. Pick the string a little bit harder with a downward motion.
3. Light Touch:
- The key is to touch the string lightly and accurately at a nodal point, which is often located at or slightly above the 12th fret.
- The finger of your picking hand should barely graze the string without actually pressing it down.
4. Experiment with Pressure:
- You need to experiment with the pressure and position of the finger touching the string to find the exact nodal spot that will produce a clear harmonic.
5. Practice:
- Practice picking while slightly touching the string. You should hear a high, harmonically sustained note.
- It may take some practice to find the right position and amount of pressure.
6. Note Combination:
- Experiment with different combinations of fretted notes on the neck and lightly touching the string. Different combinations will produce various harmonic tones.
7. Finger Position:
- You can also use the index finger of your picking hand instead of the little finger. Some players find that using the index finger is more comfortable.
8. Vibrato:
- Once you have mastered the technique, try adding some vibrato to the notes by gently wiggling your picking hand finger along the string while slightly touching the nodal point.
Artificial harmonics can add a unique melodic sound to your guitar playing. They are commonly used in rock, metal, blues, and jazz guitar music. With practice, you can master this technique and incorporate it into your own musical style.