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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
2 & 3 hole bends: problems and oddities
2 & 3 hole bends: problems and oddities
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Philosofy
129 posts
Jan 28, 2009
1:58 PM
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I just started lessons, and I'm finding I'm nowhere as good as I thought. :) I haven't been properly using my bends, and I haven't been going low enough. So, I'm trying to get the whole step bend on the 2 draw, and the step and a half on the 3 draw. One of my problems, according to my instructor, is I'm drawing too hard. Bending isn't a volume thing. OK, got it. So I'm trying to do the bends, but softly, and I'm still filling up with air. I notice that I'm breathing in through my nose while I'm trying to get those low bends. So I hold my nose shut, and WHAM! the notes are bending like tin foil! Of course, I can't hold my nose when I play, but its very strange, and obviously I'm not approaching bends the way I should. Any suggestions?
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KC69
69 posts
Jan 28, 2009
2:33 PM
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I Been woodsheding solely on tone and bends. About the time I think I've got it, My instructor lets me know I'm flat on the draw and not hitting the bottom on the bend. We worked another hour last night and my instructor is not cheap. Even on phone lessons.
I find my top and bottom through what we call the whistler. ( We use a chart of the 4 devices of tone )I find the draw easier by starting quieter then adding air for volume and try to hold the note for muscle memory. Sometimes I find the top by starting with a soft vibrato, then hold the note. The Idea is to Imagine the highest pitch I can whistle for the shape I want my throat. I do'nt have to be able to whistle or make a sound. The idea is the shape of the throat as I try to whistle.
When I find the bottom by imagining the lowest I can whistle, then drawing in and holding that note for muscle memory.
When I fail to get it correct ( perfect ) 3 times in a row. I must take the harmonica out and practice the whistler without it. Again Imagine the highest and lowest I can whistle, thats the shape of throat and for muscle memory I want.
I also stay on the 2 hole for days, maybe a week, then move to other holes. The trick is I'm trying to train/fool my brain into remembering these shapes and sounds that its not used to hearing on a regular basis.
Hope this helps a little, I'm better at doing than explaining. Also very frustrated, thought I have it by now. But has "He" says, Its got to be there, and be right when its called upon.
I always work for the bottom and the top, for now. I'll worry about exact notes/tones/pitch when I completely fool My brain!
Last Edited by on Jan 28, 2009 2:54 PM
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harpwrench
8 posts
Jan 28, 2009
3:03 PM
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You've answered your own question- when mentioning holding your nose. You need to block off the nasal passages internally. Kinda like if you're breathing air that really smells bad. Makes all the difference in the world, and will be necessary when you work on vibrato too.
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Philosofy
130 posts
Jan 28, 2009
3:09 PM
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harpwrench, I went to a gas station bathroom, and by god it works! (In all seriousness, your tip about breathing bad air helped. Now I just need to practice.)
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Chris Jones
20 posts
Jan 29, 2009
1:18 PM
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KC69,
Sounds like you have a very good instructor. Sounds like the stinkin bathroom tip will help, I have a hard time closing off too.
Thanks
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KC69
71 posts
Jan 29, 2009
2:29 PM
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Chris: Thanks ,I also think he's pretty good. That would be Jimi Lee Of Austin Tx.
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