This technique produces ringing, bell-like pitches by lightly resting a finger on an electric guitar string directly over specific fret nodes without pressing it to the fingerboard. When plucked, the fundamental note is dampened and pure harmonic overtones resonate clearly. It introduces clean, chiming high frequencies that contrast sharply with standard fretted chord patterns.
How the songs in the archive use it
On For What It's Worth, natural harmonics played on the 5th and 7th frets of an electric guitar emulate the sound of police sirens, adding an unsettling warning tone over the acoustic rhythm track.
How to do it in Logic Pro
Produce chime-like, high-pitched overtone notes on guitar by lightly touching nodal points along the string rather than pressing against the fretboard. Use this technique to add ambient accents, ringing intros, or melodic highlights to a performance.
Position the fretting finger lightly against the surface of the guitar string directly above the metal fret wire at the 12th, 7th, or 5th fret without pressing down.
Pluck the string firmly near the bridge pickup using a pick or finger.
Lift the fretting finger immediately off the string as soon as it is struck to let the harmonic ring freely.
A general method with Logic Pro's own plug-ins. Control names are checked against Apple's manual; the values are starting points, so adjust them by ear.
Songs that use it (1)
What each track sheet's analysis found, with the sheet's own score. Analysis, not verified credits.
For What It's Worth by Buffalo SpringfieldHarmonic "Siren": Neil Young's idea to play natural harmonics on his electric guitar was specifically chosen to mimic police sirens without being overt.Sheet score 10/10 · Source given: Neil Young interviews · Open the full track sheet
Want these sounds in your own mixes? Every song above has a full track sheet with its signal chains and a step-by-step recreation for your DAW. Open Track DiveAll techniques