String harmonics (sometimes called flageolet) are divided into two major categories: natural and artificial harmonics. These sounds follow the same underlying principle, no matter what stringed instrument you’re writing for - whether it’s for a violin or cello, or even a guitar or a harp. Natural harmonics are produced when a player lightly touches a node on a string with one hand, while activating the vibration of that very same string with the other hand. Artificial harmonics are often used when a harmonic is not possible to be played as a natural harmonic. Practically speaking, unlike natural harmonics, the possible pitches via artificial harmonics are basically endless.
I am wondering if there's an error in the video regarding the "G one octave above the G string". It looks like your violinist is playing the harmonic that gives 2 octaves above the open string. There is only one place to play the "one octave" harmonic, and that's at the exact midway point of the string. The violinist in the video is touching the string at the very tip of the fingerboard. In the notated example that accompanies that you also have the sounding tone two octaves up from the open G string. The violinist is playing the correct harmonic for that notation, but that's not the harmonic on the 2nd partial. The octave harmonic has one particularity: you touch the node at the exact same spot as if you were simply going to play the sounding note as a regular note. In other words, other than a slight difference in tonal quality, it is the exact same note, whether a fully pressed note, or a barely-touched harmonic. It's the only natural harmonic that sounds ALMOST like a regular note. As a matter of interest, violinists often replace notes with the various natural octave harmonics, even where not indicated.
Yikes I misspoke! That part you’re mentioning at 2:56 I meant to say “2 octaves above the open G” not one octave - thanks for catching this. I appreciate your very detailed comment!
String harmonics (sometimes called flageolet) are divided into two major categories: natural and artificial harmonics. These sounds follow the same underlying principle, no matter what stringed instrument you’re writing for - whether it’s for a violin or cello, or even a guitar or a harp.
Natural harmonics are produced when a player lightly touches a node on a string with one hand, while activating the vibration of that very same string with the other hand.
Artificial harmonics are often used when a harmonic is not possible to be played as a natural harmonic. Practically speaking, unlike natural harmonics, the possible pitches via artificial harmonics are basically endless.
A short, precise and quality video. Thanks!
You’re welcome! Hope it’s helpful
Very informative. Thanks for sharing!
Hope it’s helpful!
I am wondering if there's an error in the video regarding the "G one octave above the G string". It looks like your violinist is playing the harmonic that gives 2 octaves above the open string. There is only one place to play the "one octave" harmonic, and that's at the exact midway point of the string. The violinist in the video is touching the string at the very tip of the fingerboard.
In the notated example that accompanies that you also have the sounding tone two octaves up from the open G string. The violinist is playing the correct harmonic for that notation, but that's not the harmonic on the 2nd partial.
The octave harmonic has one particularity: you touch the node at the exact same spot as if you were simply going to play the sounding note as a regular note. In other words, other than a slight difference in tonal quality, it is the exact same note, whether a fully pressed note, or a barely-touched harmonic. It's the only natural harmonic that sounds ALMOST like a regular note.
As a matter of interest, violinists often replace notes with the various natural octave harmonics, even where not indicated.
Yikes I misspoke! That part you’re mentioning at 2:56 I meant to say “2 octaves above the open G” not one octave - thanks for catching this. I appreciate your very detailed comment!
thx
Most welcome 🙏🏽
gangster :)
oh you know it