Pinch harmonics are a guitar method that produces high-pitched, squealing sounds by calmly touching the string above the fret with the choosing hand after which choosing the string with the choosing hand. This creates a harmonic node on the level of contact, which leads to the high-pitched sound. Pinch harmonics are sometimes utilized in rock, metallic, and blues music so as to add pleasure and aggression to solos and riffs.
There are two major forms of pinch harmonics: pure and synthetic. Pure pinch harmonics happen when the string is picked at a harmonic node, which is a degree on the string the place the string naturally vibrates. Synthetic pinch harmonics happen when the string is picked at a non-harmonic node, and the choosing hand creates the harmonic node by calmly touching the string above the fret. Pinch harmonics that are performed utilizing pure harmonics are likely to have a brighter, extra bell-like sound than harmonics performed utilizing synthetic harmonics.
