How do you play a harmonic on the violin?

Question:There are two kinds of harmonics you can play on a violin: natural and "artificial". Natural harmonics are generated in the way basically described in the previous answers, i.e. there are points along the string where these harmonics can be induced. If you bow normally, and touch one of these points lightly, the harmonic comes out while the normal vibration of the string is damped. At the midway point of the string is the 1st harmonic, and it is an octave. There is a subtle difference in the sound of the fingered note there (finger pressed down) vs. the natural harmonic note (finger lightly touching). But if you move towards the nut to the place 1/3 of the way up the string, and touch lightly, you'll get a note an octave an a fifth above the open string, and the fingered note is a 5th above the open string. If you move towards the nut again, and lightly touch 1/4th of the way up the string, you'll get two octaves above the open string, etc.

The other kind of harmonic, known as an "artificial harmonic" is generated by stopping your main note, usually with the first finger, so something like an E on the D string, using your first finger. Then, at the same time, you also lightly touch the string with your fourth finger, which turns out to be 1/4 of the way up the remaining part of the string between your first finger and the bridge. This will sound as two octaves above your stopped note, for instance an E two octaves above your stopped E on the D string.

These two types of harmonics are indicated slightly differently in printed music. Artitificial harmonics are indicated by putting a regular note at the stopped note (where you press down your first finger - usually) and then a little diamond where you lightly touch your other finger (your fourth finger, usually). Natural harmonics are simply indicated by a small diamond on the staff line where you should put your finger, say at G on the D string, which will sound two octaves above the open D.

Hope this helps.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: There are two kinds of harmonics you can play on a violin: natural and "artificial". Natural harmonics are generated in the way basically described in the previous answers, i.e. there are points along the string where these harmonics can be induced. If you bow normally, and touch one of these points lightly, the harmonic comes out while the normal vibration of the string is damped. At the midway point of the string is the 1st harmonic, and it is an octave. There is a subtle difference in the sound of the fingered note there (finger pressed down) vs. the natural harmonic note (finger lightly touching). But if you move towards the nut to the place 1/3 of the way up the string, and touch lightly, you'll get a note an octave an a fifth above the open string, and the fingered note is a 5th above the open string. If you move towards the nut again, and lightly touch 1/4th of the way up the string, you'll get two octaves above the open string, etc.

The other kind of harmonic, known as an "artificial harmonic" is generated by stopping your main note, usually with the first finger, so something like an E on the D string, using your first finger. Then, at the same time, you also lightly touch the string with your fourth finger, which turns out to be 1/4 of the way up the remaining part of the string between your first finger and the bridge. This will sound as two octaves above your stopped note, for instance an E two octaves above your stopped E on the D string.

These two types of harmonics are indicated slightly differently in printed music. Artitificial harmonics are indicated by putting a regular note at the stopped note (where you press down your first finger - usually) and then a little diamond where you lightly touch your other finger (your fourth finger, usually). Natural harmonics are simply indicated by a small diamond on the staff line where you should put your finger, say at G on the D string, which will sound two octaves above the open D.

Hope this helps.

Find the exact halfway point between the nut and the bridge, then lightly touch it with a finger on your left hand and bow or pluck the string.

i'm pretty sure it's the same as a guitar, as it's a stringed instrument. natural harmonics can be found many places on a neck. on a guitar you touch abouve a fret lightly and when plucke dyou remove ur finger at the same time. it's only to break the vibration on the string into different wave lengths so to speak.

You want to barely touch the string at its midpoint; this is the point equidistant between the bridge and the nut, usually around an inch or so above the body.