How To Guitar Squeal - Learning the Pinch Harmonic Technique

You may have decided you wanted to know how to guitar squeal when you first heard a classic rock band like Van Halen, AC/DC, or Lynard Skynard. Guitar squeals or pinch harmonics, can really give that signature classic rock sound that made bands like these stand out. How to guitar squeal isn't an extremely involved process, but it does take a little practice on your part to ensure a solid sound.

* If you're beginner at learning harmonics, turn up your amplifier distortion to ten.

Touch harmonics are natural hot spots on the guitar strings that the guitar pick ups detect the best and learning to activate these is the first step to learning how to guitar squeal.

First you want to turn up the distortion to ten on your amplifier. This will make harmonic detection even easier and you won't be pulling out your hair.

* Master the touch harmonic.

Like I said, touch harmonics are the basis to guitar squeals. To create a touch harmonic, use your third string on the fifth fret and lay your finger lightly on the string without putting any pressure on it. Then, when you go to give a single stroke on that string, pull your finger off the string immediately after it has been picked.

This will definitely take some practice, but if this is executed correctly, you should hear a high-pitched tone that sounds different than a normal-pressed string. Practice this method until you're very comfortable with it.

* Practice your touch harmonics on different areas of the guitar neck.

Now, once you've learned how to execute touch harmonics, it's best to experiment. Explore the rest of the strings and frets and see if there's another hot spot that you feel more comfortable with or you just enjoy the pitch more.

* Pinch harmonics or "guitar squeals" are all in the strumming hand.

Oppositely when you tried to do a touch harmonic, learning how to guitar squeal is all in the strumming hand and the placement of the guitar pick between your fingers. For best results, when you hold the pick with your thumb and corresponding finger, keep your thumb closer to the pointed end of the pick where it should strike the string.

This time, actually press down on a note on a hot spot on the fret board, and with your right hand, strike that note. The trick here is to brush your thumb from your strumming hand, which you have strategically placed closer to the string, on the string very quickly as you pick it.

This action will create your original harmonic, but since the string is actually pressed down on the fret board, you will have created a guitar squeal.

* Practice on different frets to find that "sweet spot."

Once you seem to have the hang of how to guitar squeal, experiment once again. Look for different spots on the fret board that spark your interest and see what you can come up with.

* Try bending the note to sound even cooler.

If you seem to be a pretty good "squealer" now, think of this action as striking any normal string and all of the skills that can go along with it. Yep, you can add even more zest and fabrication to your pinch harmonics.

If you can play pull-offs, hammer-ons, vibrato, or bend the string, then you can apply them to guitar squeals as well. This is your chance to figure out how to make the coolest sounds possible.

How to guitar squeal isn't a long and lengthy process, but most of the time it doesn't come easily. Once you find what works for you, it involves some muscle repetition and good placement of your fingers. Practice these tips and put your guitar squeals to good use.