Pinch-harmonics: We have already covered the topic of "Harmonics" in its own section in this manual...click here if you missed it.

Pinch-harmonics are achieved by using your picking-palm to very lightly touch a string while you pick it.

When sounding regular harmonics, you have to touch the strings in front (on the neck portion of the guitar)...

...but pinch-harmonics are different because we touch the nearer the bridge.

Try it...

1. Fret any string

2. Pick it while at the same time using your picking hand's palm to lightly touch the string

There are some pretty crazy effects that you can create on an electric guitar if you get this technique down.

As a matter of fact this technique is not only reserved for electric guitar - I use it constantly while playing classical/acoustic guitar.

First try this...

1. Select any open string and fret it

2. Now pick the fretted string

3. Now release the fretted note BUT when you release it give it a slight pull/push with the very same finger that was holding it down

Releasing the fretted string will cause the open string to sound again.

Now try this...

1. fret two notes side-by-side

2. Now pick the higher note (closer to the bridge) and then perform a pull-off

When you release it then the note behind it should sound.

Finger-tapping: Finger-tapping is the technique of using the fingers of both hands to perform hammer-ons and pull-offs in a non-stop fashion. This technique is most used in hard-rock and heavy-metal styles of guitar, but can also sound good when used moderately in any type of guitar playing.

Here's something you could try...

1. Just regularly fret any strings 5th fret with your fretting hand

2. Now pick the string with your right hand

3. While the string is ringing...

4. Use your picking hand's index finger to "tap" on the 7th fret

5. Now while sounding this 7th fret, simply slide to the 8th!