Harmonics.
Natural and artificial Harmonics, or Flageolet tones, may be produced on the violin. The natural harmonics are obtained by placing the finger quite lightly, and without pressure, upon the string, and bowing with great care. From the middle of the string upwards towards the bridge, and also from the middle towards the nut, lie natural harmonics at the nodes of the string. The sign indicating that a note is to be played as a harmonic, is either 0, flageolet or son harmonique.
In the case of harmonics which yield a note differing from that stopped by the finger, the actual sound produced is indicated by the sign ⟡.
G string.
D string.
A string.
E string.
Natural harmonics are also produced by placing two fingers lightly and simultaneously on one string:
Artificial harmonics.
These are produced by playing two notes on one string, the lower one being pressed down firmly, the upper one lightly. The distance of these two notes from each other may be either a third, fourth, fifth or octave. The most usual artificial harmonics are those at a fourth.
At a fourth:
At a fifth:
At a third:
Artificial harmonics may also be produced at the distance of a minor third, but these speak with difficulty.
At an octave:
In like manner on the higher strings.
In the lower positions those at the octave necessitate a wide stretch between the 1ˢᵗ and 4ᵗʰ fingers, rendering them impossible for small hands.
Double harmonics.
Both natural and artificial harmonics may be played as double stops. The former speak best, the latter being more difficult. They require very thin stringing.
a. Natural double harmonics:
Similarly on the upper strings.
b. Artificial double harmonics:
The large notes indicate the notes which are to be pressed down firmly, the small notes those to be lightly touched, and the sign ⟡ the actual sounds produced.
a. Fifths, produced at the distance of a fifth, fourth and third:
b. Thirds.
c. Fourths.
d. Sixths.
e. Octaves.
