Harmonics

As Printed on a Score

Printed over string or harp passages (harmonics, harm.) together with harmonic notation: a small circle (o) over a note, or a diamond-shaped notehead for the touched pitch. Normal playing resumes at naturale, ord., or where the signs stop. Harp harmonics usually sound an octave above the written note.

Abbreviations: harm.

Also spelled: harmonic

How Composers Use It

Harmonics give a pure, glassy, soft tone. Natural harmonics on open strings speak most easily; artificial harmonics need a stopped finger plus a touched one and are harder at speed. On harp they are quiet, so leave space in the texture. Make clear whether your notation shows the sounding pitch or the fingering.

Example

Holst, The Planets, “Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age”, harps 1 and 2, m. 105: both print “harmonics” at pp, at the Andante, where violins, violas and cellos play ppp, muted, two desks each.

Related Terms