harmonics in violin strings

Violin harmonics are, by definition, a violin technique in which you play overtones. You do that by softly touching the violin string with a finger on your left hand, while drawing a normal bow stroke with your right hand. Here you can see an example of playing harmonic notes on the violin.

1. What are violin harmonics?
2. How do harmonics work on violin?
3. What harmonics are possible in strings?
4. What is a harmonic on a string instrument?

What are violin harmonics?

A harmonic is an overtone you get when you place your finger softly on the string. It creates a whistling sound and in some harmonics a different higher note. ... By not pushing the string down to the fingerboard, the string can vibrate on both sides of your finger.

How do harmonics work on violin?

When a violinist plays a natural harmonic, they lightly touch the string ½, ⅓, ¼ etc. of the way along the string. This creates a node at that position and isolates a specific harmonic. Only harmonics with a node at that position form, and other harmonics are silenced.

What harmonics are possible in strings?

There are two types of string harmonics — natural and artificial. A natural harmonic is the pitch (resultant) that is produced by lightly touching an open, vibrating string (the fundamental) at one of the nodes located at 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, etc.

What is a harmonic on a string instrument?

Playing a string harmonic is a string instrument technique that uses the nodes of natural harmonics of a musical string to isolate overtones. Playing string harmonics produces high pitched tones, often compared in timbre to a whistle or flute.