The Meanest Pinch Harmonics: Jaw-Dropping Guitar Screams
Mean and heavy!
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Pinch harmonics are notoriously challenging but redeem killer rewards. Leaning towards heavier genres, let’s check out some well-known examples, along with some that you may be yet to discover.
Top 5 Pinch Harmonics
What are pinch harmonics?
Pinch harmonics are a guitar technique that results in a high-pitched squeal, otherwise known as an artificial harmonic.
We’ve all heard them, but what exactly are they? Maybe you’re unsure of what they actually are, or perhaps you’ve never quite been able to execute the perfect example. Considering how difficult they are to achieve, you may not have come across them before.
How do I play pinch harmonics?
The way I like to achieve them is by really cranking up the gain on your amp, this is essential! From here, you’ll want to place your pick at a slight 45-degree angle and reduce the amount of plastic that comes in contact with the string. You’re striking the string with your thumb.
Finally, in your fretting hand, you’ll want to apply a decent amount of pressure and vibrato which helps to sustain that pinch harmonic. Now, don’t worry. This new skill won’t come instantly, but give it time and dedication.
For now, let’s check out some wicked examples from the back catalogue of rock history. These might just give you the inspiration you need.
You Give Love A Bad Name – Bon Jovi
Kicking us off in our look at some of the meanest pinch harmonics comes in the form of this 1980s classic. Sure, it may be a staple karaoke tune, but the guitar work is much more sophisticated.
An ultimate guitar track here, we start off with a pretty cool bending intro riff. However, we then move on to a second riff that benefits the verses of this song. It’s here that we’ll find those sweet pinch harmonics.
They’re subtle and only play on one note, but without them, the track wouldn’t be the same. The note in question is a C on the 3rd fret of the A string. This is a great place to practice if you’re new to the art of pinch harmonics.
Cemetery Gates – Pantera
Moving on, we’re stepping forward a decade to the 1990s. Taken from their Cowboys from Hell Album, this example is somewhat heavier than the pop and rock feel of Bon Jovi.
Unlike the previous example, the pinch harmonics are a core part of the main riff. It should also be noted that this isn’t the only Pantera track that Dimberg Darrell littered with cool techniques.
Again, this just goes to show that you need a shed load of gain to get away with effective pinch harmonics. Furthermore, a low-string action and a set of humbucker pickups will always help.
La Grange – ZZ Top
This time, our pinch harmonics are back to being subtle. But sometimes, less is more.
Wielding his trusty 1959 *Gibson Les Paul, Billy Gibbons decided to opt for an early Stratocaster for the clean intro of La Grange. You can really hear the clean-cut single coils at the start, ahead of the mean overdriven powerhouse that is the rest of the song.
Furthermore, Gibbons decided that lighter strings were worth their weight in gold. Allegedly, BB King tipped him off about playing with lighter strings. Some players insist that heavier strings aid their tone, but I can certainly see how lighter alternatives will help with achieving pinch harmonics.
Psychosocial – Slipknot
Ready for some thrash beats? Our fourth look at pinch harmonics sees us take a serious U-turn compared to the others that we have looked at. This is peak 2000s heavy metal. Viewer discretion is advised!
Again, the pinch harmonics are part and parcel of the intro to this song. This is a great example because it highlights how the use of vibrato is important for a successful pinch harmonic.
Realistically, not one for beginners because of the immense speed and the fact that it is in Drop A tuning! Now, that’s low. Really low.
No More Tears – Ozzy Osbourne
Personally, I think that I’ve saved the best for the end. Taking the limelight once again in the summer of 2023 through the medium of social media, this is one of the best ways to describe and illustrate pinch harmonics.
For me, this resembles something like a Pink Floyd track, as it has so many different sections that all complement each other. What’s most important for us though is the pinch harmonics that return throughout the verse.
Another alternate tuning, we’re in Drop D this time. But, with a difference! Zakk Wylde’s guitar was in Eb, and then taken down to Drop D, hence giving the track a low and aggressive edge. The pinch harmonic occurs on the low E string on the 3rd fret, which is fairly challenging as it’s easy to drop off the fretboard.
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