Understanding String Harmonics

In this video, I explain what instrumental string harmonics are, how to notate them, and how to use them in your orchestral and chamber music.
0:00 Introduction
0:32 The Harmonic Series
4:56 Notating Natural Harmonics
8:03 Examples from Tzigane (Ravel)
10:40 Example from The Companion Guide to Rome (Norman)
11:47 Artificial / False Harmonics
13:00 Example from Romanian Fold Dances for Violin (Bartok)
13:44 Summary
14:58 Extended Techniques
15:44 Example from Sept Papillons (Saariaho)
All audio examples used in this video are for education purposes and protected under the Fair Use Law.
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For more information about my music, or to inquire about private composition lessons, please visit www.alexheppelmann.com/

[@Emad_Attar]

Finally someone explaining the harmonics in the best effective way.
Thank you so much!

[@BrandonWalkerMusic]

Alex - you did a great job explaining harmonics. I appreciate some of the science and theory behind what harmonics resonate with vs those that do not. The one-page chart is useful, and I also really liked the examples, especially Ravel's Tzigane!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Markrspooner]

Not sure I will ever write music for live players but still found it very interesting as I can now understand scores with harmonics on better. Thanks Alex!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're very welcome!

[@michellamontagne]

Thank you Alex I appreciated your clear explanations and the examples how composers are using harmonics I did not know how they were using it thank you again

[@AlexHeppelmann]

You're welcome, Michel. Thanks for watching!

[@MREmusique]

a minor correction (I know this video is a bit older), "sul D" (in reference to the Ravel example) is not the French terminology. It's Italian. 😉 In French we don't use letters to denote the strings, we use the Roman numerals.

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks Michel!

[@hittjett]

Super nice, Alex!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Thanks, Jett!

[@diegoalvarez9651]

Thank you!

[@TamTamDwo]

Great Video Alex!!!

[@AlexHeppelmann]

Hi Tamara!! Hope you're doing well!!