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Harmonics on the violin are used in all genres of music. They are great for varying effects on this versatile instrument. Harmonics are easy and convenient to do on all the open strings when improvising.
Learn the basics of playing harmonics otherwise known as flageolets on the violin. For an octave above an open string start by using your forth finger in forth position and touch the string lightly. To play two octaves above an open string start by using the 3rd finger in 1st position and touching the string lightly. Bow close to the bridge for the best harmonics. Use your forth finger in first position lightly to get an octave plus a fifth above the open string. Listen to a simple explanation and demo of how to play fingered harmonics as well. See more tutorials at https://fiddlerman.com
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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I really enjoying all the teaching videos you post on your website. I have found them very informative and it helps me to understand easier b/c you are demonstrating. Thank you again for all you do. You are doing an amazing job on encouraging and inspiring violinist all over.
Mellissa Clark
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Regulars
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So with the fingered harmonic, on the G string, where does the 4th finger go? I can't really see from the video 
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The forth finger touches a 4th above. For example, play an A using the first finger on the G and lightly touch the string where the D would be played with your 4th finger.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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When would you use the sold note and harmonic? Is there a particular marking for it, or is it just a style like thing (like vibrato)
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You would use that if you want to play a piece completely with harmonics. Kind of like if someone is singing but wants to whistle all of a sudden. Czardas has a section like that and it's marked with a small square on an angle and small circle above, or a regular small note with the tilted small square above in the right spot for touching lightly. Check out the Czardas part below.
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@Fiddlerman are fingered harmonics also known as artificial harmonics? I've seen other instructional videos on harmonics, but have never heard of fingered harmonics…
Thank you Fiddlerman for wanting to help others learn and increase our skills on the violin. I am working on the harmonics. Practice, practice, practice!
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kakashi540 said:
@Fiddlerman are fingered harmonics also known as artificial harmonics? I've seen other instructional videos on harmonics, but have never heard of fingered harmonics…
These are actually real harmonics and not artificial. By putting down the first finger solid you create a new base note, shorter string, and therefor can change the open strings 3rd finger harmonic by using your 4th finger lightly with the solid first.
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Fiddlerman said:
These are actually real harmonics and not artificial. By putting down the first finger solid you create a new base note, shorter string, and therefor can change the open strings 3rd finger harmonic by using your 4th finger lightly with the solid first.
oh ok, i see. Thanks, that really clears things up for me 
so the first finger is acting as the nut to create different lengths of the string so the 4th finger can create a harmonic that is two octaves higher than the placement note of the 1st finger.
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You got it !!!!!!!!!!!!
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but the one who needs the least."
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Whaaaattt??? OK. Since I didn't really advance very far in my Suzuki studies (up to book 6 only) when I was younger, I was never shown these 'fingered harmonics'. I'll have to work on those. Is that the technique used for the harmonics in 'Czardas'? I just sampled that piece last night for the very first time and I was clueless as to how to play them. 
OY! HAHAHA! Glad I found this video. You have so much information here. 
Thanks!
Cara
If music be the food of love, play on. ~ William Shakespeare
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Another great resource for fingered harmonics is the Carl Flesch Scales book. They are full of REALLY difficult harmonics.
Glad to see that you found your way over here Cara. Would be nice if you gave an official introduction of yourself HERE.
Just visit the link and choose "Add Topic". 
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I am also having a really hard time with the harmonics in Csardas, I've never really used them much before and now it's killing me
I'm embarrassed that this little girl can do them perfectly on her 1/4 violin and I've been playing almost three times longer than she's been living. Maybe I'll play some Lindsey Stirling music to have fun and feel better about myself.
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