Chiming

[Bill Duncan]

I have always had trouble with chiming and try to stay away from it. I usually blow it. I can never get it clear and clean. Suggestions are appreciated

[Pat Chong]

Hi Bill,
I had that same trouble, my palm is flat, so trying palm-harmonics with it wasn't too successful. However, I found "Happy harmonics", parts 1-3 on YouTube. In part 2, he gave some good how-to instruction on doing it. I settled on using the 'pinky' method, it works. .........Pat.

[Dale Rottacker]

Bill I was always a palm chimer, sometimes even successfully, but not seeing where my palm actually was had to do math for where my thumb was hitting the string ... Then I was watching Travis Toy one day and he was using the tip of his ring or pinkly finger... So NOW, I can see the octave or 7th or 5th fret and it doesn't matter where my thumb is striking the string ... much less guessing involved, more accurate and better chimes too. For added fun, AND clarity try using the back of a fingernail.

[Bill Duncan]

Bill I was always a palm chimer, sometimes even successfully, but not seeing where my palm actually was had to do math for where my thumb was hitting the string ... Then I was watching Travis Toy one day and he was using the tip of his ring or pinkly finger... So NOW, I can see the octave or 7th or 5th fret and it doesn't matter where my thumb is striking the string ... much less guessing involved, more accurate and better chimes too. For added fun, AND clarity try using the back of a fingernail.

Thanks Dale, that makes sense.

[Bill Duncan]

Hi Bill,
I had that same trouble, my palm is flat, so trying palm-harmonics with it wasn't too successful. However, I found "Happy harmonics", parts 1-3 on YouTube. In part 2, he gave some good how-to instruction on doing it. I settled on using the 'pinky' method, it works. .........Pat.

Thanks, Pat. Misery really does love company. I have never seen that YouTube site and I will check it.

[Brett Day]

I always chime with my middle finger. I think the best thing to do is to find what works best for you.

[Donny Hinson]

You need a light and accurate touch, as a rule; and your timing (hitting the touch-point and picking the string at the same time) also must be good. Some use the palm or edge of the hand, while others use a finger tip, the edge of a finger, the knuckle, or even a fingernail. You just have to find out which method is easiest for you, and gives the best results. What makes it happen is LOTS of practice, and I've heard it said that Buddy would practice nothing but harmonics for hours at a time!

One interesting thing is that you can pick the string on either side of the "touch point". I use the knuckle of my ring finger on the touch point and pick the string about an inch or a little more to the left of my knuckle.

(Here's a clip from a recording I played on many, many years ago, featuring some harmonics)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V8SVCo ... drive_link

Good luck!

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