Damon
Guest
Mar 12, 2008
12:16 PM
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What is scooping? Bit unsure of what this actually means,
also what does adam mean when he uses the term "wail" ?
thanks harmonicists!
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Jeff
21 posts
Mar 12, 2008
11:41 AM
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There are two types of scooping. You can read about tip scooping here:
http://overblow.com/?menuid=161
Adam and Jason also use the word scoop to refer to the action of coming under a note (scooping) by sliding from the bent note to the unbent. Ultimately, this is what wailing is also. You're simply sounding a note starting bent and releasing it to an unbent note. This replicates a wailing or crying sound. The 4 draw is the most effective at producing that wailing bluesey sound.
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superchucker77
21 posts
Mar 12, 2008
11:49 AM
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Simple answer: to wail means to draw on a hole for an extended period ( longer than one or two beats).
Longer answer: wailing is really more than just drawing in. It can envolve the use of several technics including ( but not limited to) bending, tongue tapping, scooping, and any other means of articulation. It is a way of building tension in ones playing.
I think that scooping is to alternate bending a note while doing a repeating riff on one hole, such as the repeating 4draw near the end of Whammer Jammer. Magic Dick has to tongue tap while alternating between bending the note and playing it unbent. You kind of have to scoop your tongue back into your mouth to do this. It's like saying duy,duy,duy,duy,duy while inhaling.
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Patrick Barker
18 posts
Mar 12, 2008
8:57 PM
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I've also heard of scooping in the manner where an amp will have different tones with "scooped" being one of them. Not really sure what that means but if you look at the hoodoo box @ http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Hohner-Hoodoo-Box-5W-Harmonica-Tube-Amp?sku=481664
you can see scooped under the tone control, and by its position I'm guessing it means "gritty" or distorted or "tuby" (as in lots of tube tone). Wailing is just like normal human wailing, except expressed in a more soulful way through the harmonica
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HarpinNinja
17 posts
Mar 13, 2008
2:41 PM
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Scooping in terms of tone usually means to remove. Most often in rock music you hear about "scooped mids" where the mid eq of an amp is set fairly low compared to the bass or treble eq.
Scooping in harmonica is usually bending up to a note (scooping into a note).
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genesis
4 posts
Mar 25, 2008
11:55 PM
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I think the type of scooping you might be talking about is
tip scooping where you file small divots into the corners of the reed slot or 1 shallow one into the center. This is supposed to supercharge airflow to the reed tip. But dont believe it for a second. It has the exact opposite effect. It reduces the distance the reed swings and destroys response.
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kudzurunner
22 posts
Mar 26, 2008
4:55 AM
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When I use the term "scooping," I mean hitting a note--often the 4 draw or 6 draw--slightly or somewhat bent, then releasing it quickly into un-bent-ness. Often scooping is a way of releasing or propelling a note onto a stressed beat, to increase the rhythmic drive of a single-note run.
When I play the opening chorus of "Juke," I scoop the 3 draw a little on the way up.
When I play Sonny Terry's version of "Key to the Highway," I scoop most of the 4 draws in order to make the "wah" sound and give my single-note runs a lot of bounce.
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chromaticblues
1 post
Apr 20, 2009
9:38 AM
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genesis is correct about the "modification" called tip scooping. That is the not a good idea for the most part! There are some very good harp players doing this and some great harp techs also. That being said, DON'T DO IT! It is not a way of making your harp do anything better! It makes the reedplate thinner which makes it not as loud! It also makes it airy sounding which not what you want! I have been thinking about making some videos about a couple aspects of playing the harp that I don't think have been covered well enough for the average harp player. If you are interested in learning how to modify harps. Buy the new book from richard sleigh!!! It cost $27!!!!
Last Edited by on Apr 20, 2009 12:01 PM
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