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How to Play Harmonics on the Dobro

In this lesson Mark explains what harmonics are on the dobro and where to find them: the fifth, seventh and twelfth frets. He shows how to play them with the palm and thumb and by pinching, how to pick an octave above the bar, how to slide harmonics, and how to practice arpeggios with them.

Harmonics: the full lesson, free in the Dobro Starter Kit

What you'll learn

• What harmonics are: touching the string at the right position with your finger or another part of your body, not the bar
• Where to play harmonics: the fifth, seventh and twelfth frets
• Palm harmonics: palm mute and pick with your thumb
• Picking the harmonic an octave above the bar, for example the 17th fret for the 5th fret
• Pinch harmonics with your knuckle for a purer tone or more volume
• Sliding harmonics, and practicing arpeggios with harmonics

Step by step

1. Play harmonics at the fifth, seventh or twelfth fret.
2. For a palm harmonic, palm mute and pick with your thumb.
3. Pick the harmonic an octave up from where your bar is: from the fifth fret, that's 12 plus 5, the 17th fret, on the first string.
4. Try a pinch harmonic using your knuckle for a purer tone or a little more volume.
5. Slide harmonics: for example, slide from the fifth fret to the fourth fret, palm, pinch, and back up.
6. Practice arpeggios with harmonics, keeping your right hand 12 frets above your left hand.

In Mark's words

“The 12th fret also lends itself very naturally to beautiful harmonics.”

“You can also slide the harmonics, which is a really fun thing to do.”

“You can practice arpeggios with harmonics. It's a fun way to kind of get used to harmonics.”

“I'm still practicing a ton.”

Questions

What are harmonics on dobro?

Mark explains that harmonics happen when you touch the string at the right position with your finger or another part of your body, not the bar, because the bar will make an actual tone.

Where are the harmonics on a dobro?

Mark shows harmonics at the fifth fret and the seventh fret, and says the twelfth fret also lends itself very naturally to beautiful harmonics.

How do you play a harmonic above the bar on dobro?

You pick it from an octave up. From the fifth fret, that's 12 plus 5, so the 17th fret. For arpeggios, your right hand is 12 frets above your left hand.

What is the difference between a palm harmonic and a pinch harmonic on dobro?

For a palm harmonic, Mark palm mutes and picks with his thumb. For a pinch, he might use his knuckle, which he says can give a more pure tone or a little more volume.

Can you slide harmonics on dobro?

Yes. Mark slides harmonics from the fifth fret to the fourth fret and back up, and calls it a really fun thing to do.

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