Objectives

1. Learn how to play a tap harmonic.
2. Practice tap harmonics.

Tap harmonics are a form of artificial harmonics that are produced by fretting a note, which is the fundamental, and tapping directly on the fretwire either 12, 7, or 5 Frets above the fretted notes. By tapping on these node points, the harmonics are sounded.

• 1st Harmonic - 12 Frets Up - Octave Higher
• 2nd Harmonic - 7 Frets Up (or 19 frets up) - Octave + Perfect Fifth Higher
• 3rd Harmonic - 5 Frets Up (or 24 frets up) - Two Octaves Higher

Example 1 - First Tap Harmonics

In this example, we'll barre the second Fret and tap the 1st harmonics, whose node points are 12 frets above the fretted note (on the 14th fret). The fundamental notes could be played by simply barring the 2nd fret and playing the Strings normally.

Example 2 - Second Tap Harmonics

In this example, we'll barre the second fret and tap the 2nd harmonics, whose node points are 7 or 19 frets up the fretboard (on the 9th or the 21st fret).

Example 3 - Third Tap Harmonics

In this example, we'll barre the second fret and tap the 2nd harmonics, whose node points are 5 frets up the fretboard (on the 7th fret). Theoretically, this could also be sounded by playing 24 frets up the fretboard. Since guitars only have a maximum of 24 frets, this harmonic can only be sounded five frets up from the fretted note.