Natural Harmonics

[AZanshin]

Are Natural Harmonics Used In Jazz? If So How Are There Implemented And Is There Any Lesson On How To Use Them Within Jazz

[AZanshin]

Anyone? Am Really Interested to know this

[randalljazz]

lenny breau was a master at this...

[fivebells]

AZanshin, I don't think you'll find a lesson on "how to use" harmonics because it is very much a matter of the player's judgement — that certain notes within the melody/arpeggio would sound better as harmonics than fretted.

I suspect a lot of players are cautious about the option because the different sound (and possibly octave leap) would be too striking and may even look like a gimmick. You don't want to get that "hey everyone, check out my new trick!" effect.

Here's a suggestion of an appropriate and subtle use. I'm playing a chord melody arrangement of "Georgia On My Mind" in D, and there's a phrase of melody in the A section that follows a C# (on the "song" in "old sweet song") with B, G, B ("keeps Geor - gia") over an Em chord, and then the chord changes to A7. Since that C# note took me to the 14th fret, I have all those 12th fret harmonics right there under my fingertips — melody and bass notes. I use them, then move on and don't play any more harmonics in the arrangement.

So look at the opportunities provided by the key, and let your listener's ear (rather than your fingers) guide your decision.

[peterja]

Why only natural harmonics? Mix them with artificial harmonics and you have a very nice tool to spice things up.
Like randalljazz said Lenny Breau really nails it.
Also chek out Bireli Lagrenes electric playing for both natural and artificial harmonics.
Andreas Oberg has a nice lesson on youtube about this. Just search for oberg and harmonics.