pinch harmonic
pinch harmonic by Jordan Yaun December 25, 2008
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
pinch harmonics
On the guitar, pinch harmonics is the act of lightly touching a string with the edge of your thumb/palm (picking hand) after plucking it. Similar to natural harmonics except you're not playing off a fret. If you use a lot of distortion and gain it produces a squealing effect.
A lot of guitarists use pinch harmonics, most notably Zakk Wylde, but also players like ZZ Top, Dimebag Darrell, and even Steve Vai.
pinch harmonics by bryan18 August 21, 2005
Related Words
pinch harmonics
AKA "artificial harmonics"
An electric guitar technique in which the player slightly touches the string AFTER picking a note. The fundamental sound of the note will be effectively cancelled, producing a high-pitched, chimelike harmonic squeal in any position on the fretboard.
Often used to "spice up" rock and heavy metal songs, when overused they are a great way to disguise terrible playing and/or writing.
An electric guitar technique in which the player slightly touches the string AFTER picking a note. The fundamental sound of the note will be effectively cancelled, producing a high-pitched, chimelike harmonic squeal in any position on the fretboard.
Often used to "spice up" rock and heavy metal songs, when overused they are a great way to disguise terrible playing and/or writing.
Zakk Wylde is a fucking dipshit and horrible guitarist who covers up his shitty playing/songwriting with excessive pinch harmonics.
pinch harmonics by Chris Lamb, "El Gringo" August 25, 2007
More from Urban Dictionary
wrongun
anyone who succeeds in disgracing/over indulging themselves in the throws of clubland
square grouper
Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes. Origin is reportedly from members of the US Coast Guard in the area of Southern Florida.
square grouper by slipsheet November 6, 2004
Word of the Day on October 7, 2026
Bunhead
A girl who does ballet and only talks about ballet. Her schedule is filled with dance classes which does not allow her to do any other activity.
trucker's tan
A sunburn or suntan focused on the left arm. It is caused by the left side of the body being the only half that gets exposed to sunlight while driving. Presumably, it would be located on the right side of the body in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.
trucker's tan by population361 May 30, 2006
Word of the Day on October 5, 2026
kidulting
Every time I walk into the toy aisle, I catch myself kidulting over the latest action figures and LEGO sets!
kidulting by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025
Word of the Day on October 4, 2026
Boffin
British slang for a scientist or technical expert, esp . when the speaker is not certain of the expert’s specific field of study. Not necessarily derogatory, but typically used by persons without a technical background. In the US, the equivalent would be “egghead”, “squint”, or “geek.”
Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.
Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.