Bass Harmonics 101 #scottsbasslessons #basslesson #sbl #harmonics #pearljam

There is nothing ordinary about the bass playing of Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament. Expanding upon the role of a traditional rock bass player with his use of fretless bass and natural harmonics.

Playing natural harmonics is a two-part technique. First, position your fretting-hand finger directly over the actual fret. Second, touch the string with your fretting finger, but have no contact with the fretboard. After you play the harmonic, you can take your finger off the string; the harmonic will continue ringing. Note that it’s easier to get harmonics to sound when the picking hand attacks the string closer to the bridge.

Here are all of the corresponding intervals that sound with each harmonic.

12th fret = octave
7th fret = perfect fifth above the octave
5th fret = second octave
4th and 9th frets = major third above second octave
3rd fret = fifth above second octave

Save this post as a handy harmonic reference! ✨

[theswissmiss]

OMG! This is the perfect explanation! I sometimes need to understand things this deeply to remember it better.

[PedroRodriguez-bwfb]

PEARL JAM HELL YEAH, GREAT LESSON 🤘🤘🤘🤘🔥🔥🤯KEEP THEM COMING!!

[HermelJaworski]

very well explained, thanks! I love playing with harmonics on the bass, especially on the fretless where you can slide them!

[MainelyW]

Fellas, especially around Gen X…. If you learn Pearl Jam’s Indifference, bass and vocals, you have a panty-dropping experience if you can play and sing at the same time. It’s the only song me and my Godin A4 can pull off 100% solo.