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Newsgroups: rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic
From: ogata@tethys.nswc.navy.mil (Eric Ogata)
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 1994 16:07:14 GMT

   I am trying to play a song that requires the use of "classical style 
   harmonics."

  I am assuming you are referring to the artificial harmonics
technique.  The idea is to fret the note with your left hand as usual
while touching the harmonic node 12 frets above with your right hand
index finger (Assuming you play right handed, otherwise reverse
hands). Then pluck the string with your right ring finger or
pinky. Most people use their ring finger (a). E.g. to play an octave
harmonic g# on the 3rd (g) string, fret the 3rd string at the 1st
fret, touch the string lightly with your right hand index finger at
the 13th fret, pluck the string with your right hand ring
finger. That's the idea, now practice playing scales, arpeggiated
chords this way.  Notice that your right hand index fingers trace out
the left hand fingerings shifted up 12 frets. Many classical pieces
introduce artificial harmonics that are played against a bassline
played by the thumb. You may want to practice playing these parts
without the harmonics at first to get the left hand fingering down.
You might also want to practice the harmonics (usually melody line) by
themselves to get comfortable with the right hand shifts as you move
from node to node. Then put it all together. Carlos Barbosa-Lima makes
quite a bit of use of this technique. The music of Miguel Llobet also
makes very effective use of this technique.
--
eric
ogata@tethys.nswc.navy.mil