String Harmonics

I have a question for you string players. What are the limits and rules for harmonics on string instruments?

You really need to look up guides on harmonics. There are all sorts of specifics when dealing with harmonics and you should probably only employ those with which you are familiar. For example, the easiest is the octave harmonic on any string, and that is the clearest sounding harmonic.

I actually only play the cello at a intermediate level, and I know that the octave harmonic is the one used the most. However, they can get really involved. Advanced violin pieces often used not only batural harmonics but also artificial harmonics. That is when you use on finger to push down the string as playing a regular note and lightly use the pinky to produce the artificial harmonic. To cover all these things you either need to know how to play the instrument or have a descriptive chart or something.

Hope that helps. I have my info on harmonics and double stops in an orchestration book.

Here:

G D A E------------------------ These are Open Strings, they require no fingers.

Ab Eb Bb F _-------------------------- Low 1st finger ------------------- pointer

|

A E B F# _| _________________ 1st finger ------------------------ pointer

Bb F C G _--------------------------Low 2nd finger/ High 1st ---------middle/ pointer

|

B F# Db Ab _|__________________ 2nd finger/ Low 3rd ------------- middle/ring

C G D A ___________________ 3rd finger -------------------------- ring

|

Db Ab Eb Bb_|------------------------- High 3rd finger/ Low 4th --------- ring/ pinky

D A E B _____________________ 4th finger-------------------------- pinky

Just don't make it too awkward or impossible. Use common sense.

Hope this helps . . . It probably won' >_< hope it does :wub:

Hope this helps . . . It probably won' >_< hope it does :wub:

Thanks, a visual aid helps a lot.

To give you more additional information about artificial harmonics:

There are two types of artificial harmonics. First one you slightly touch the 4th above a pitch that is stopped by another finger, and the second one you touch 5th

the first one creates the sound of the original note 2 octaves higher and the second one creates the 5th of the original note an octave higher.

there are other used harmonics such as minor third and major third but all of the artificial harmonics are not recomended for solo, or chamber writing. Although I have previous experience in my pieces which was performed, which I cant say they were too problematic. But it is just impossible with fast passages.

Hope this helps.

Interesting. The reason I ask is a cellist has asked me to rewrite a piece of mine for him, so he can perform it. I'm not having too hard a time with the double stops so far, and have only written one impossible one by mistake. (Woot, go me.)