Palm harmonics question

[Pete Martin]

I’ve made enough progress that I’m playing a few tunes with the western swing band I’m in (still playing mostly electric mandolin) and having big fun. I’ve decided I need to add palm harmonics, so started practicing. I find that once I get my hand set, I can get pretty clear harmonics on single notes most of the time. I am “bouncing” on the string and as I have played fretted instruments most of my life, this is pretty easy to do.

What I can’t do is get chord harmonics. When I watch instructional videos, it looks like some players just push their whole right arm forward. What I can’t tell is are they doing the same “bounce” like they do on single strings, or do they start with their palms on the strings?

Any advice folks can give is very much appreciated!

Thanks,

Pete

[Tim Whitlock]

It's basically the same as single note chimes. The palm touches the strings a nanosecond before the pick hits and then bounces off. Since you are striking all the strings, instead of trying to isolate just one, you can hit them a bit harder. The result is that your right hand does appear to moving forward.

[Pete Martin]

Thanks so much Tim, works great!

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Pete,

Sounds like Tim's advice worked for you.

The only thing I can add is that you just gotta go for it. Don't overthink it, and don't hesitate. You just gotta "use the force". lol.

You'll get really good at them on one particular steel, and for some reason they won't come out as well on another steel. Each steel seems to be a bit particular. You just gotta lean into it and get good on the same steel.