I am playing with a simple blues scale riff on my E harp. I am really trying to firgure out if I am ANYWHERE close or going the right direction to get the 3Db and 4Db. Could I ask a HUGE favor of someone to either A) direct me to a vid or audio of a demonstration of the blues scale on an E Harp, played simply so i can hear how the 3 hole and 4 hole draw bend is supposed to sound, or B) possibly even upload one?
my little riff goes like this: Lead in (1D 2B) Riff: 2D 2D 3D 4Db 4B (hold two beats) 3Db 4B 3Db 2D 2D 1D 2B 2D.
I try to give it a little bounce, but who knows, maybe I'm just annoying hte cats in the neighborhood. ha ha. the main thing I'm working on is making all the single notes clear and solid, while keeping a steady rythm.
I have been looking for a vid or audio to listen to, but everything I find is in some other key... seems my little E isn't a very popular key. lol.
I DID also pick up a Special 20 A harp today! YAY me! but the 2 and 3 draw sound out... The 2 is really weak and sluggish. More the sound of air sucking through than it does actual sound... 4,5,6 etc sound full and warm, but 2 and 3D sound like poo. I don't think it's me, playing on my C and E harps everything sounds in tune, but my new A just doesn't sound good on those two holes. I'm not nearly brave enough to just dive in and start filing reeds, and maybe it IS just me. Hopefully I can find someone who actually plays harp near me and can listen to what I'm doing.
Adam Gussow plays a tune using an E harp on lesson 138. He does the 3Db at around 8:08.
And he does the 4Db on part 2 (lesson 139) at around 2:58.
With the SP20 A harp, try playing the 2D while inhaling through your nose. If you get a good, clean sound, then it is certainly you, and not the harp.
Last Edited by on Jun 24, 2009 9:48 PM
COOOOL! I hadn't quite made it this far yet in Doc Gussow's lessons.. I think I am somewhere in the range of 27 or 28. lol. That is such kewl riff! That 2Db a whole step is a doozy, but I WILL get it eventually! I am actually alot closer on the 3Db than I thought I was, but of course hitting it at speed is gonna take alot of practice I can tell. I sound like a duck with a bad case of the croup when I try that 2Db a whole step.. lol. But I WILL get it!
As far as the A harp of mine... I can hear it clear up a bit if I take in about half or more of the air through my nose, but holy cow the sound gets thin. So maybe I just need to adjust my embrachure? That's kind of strange feeling since I can get the 3D to sound clear and strong then simply sliding down tot he 2D the sounds goes to crap. I will work on it... THANK YOU a ton for sharing this video and for the tip!
...
Hmm... if I do the "clamp" puttin the harp between my teeth and blow the 123 chord with a steady exhale I get a really wierd ringing undulating sound. almost like a chirp, TBing the 2 hole stops it.
