jodanchudan
8 posts
Jan 02, 2010
9:32 AM
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Hi all
I'd like some advice on what I think is called a shimmer - when you tongue block between two notes, then shift the tongue side to side to play each note in quick alternation. It sounds pretty random and sloppy when I do it, and it seems harder on harps with a wooden comb. First, are there any useful training exercises anyone knows of that can help build the technique? Second, which holes are the common ones to shimmer (draw and blow)?
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jodanchudan
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barbequebob
287 posts
Jan 02, 2010
10:14 AM
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I've never heard that described that way, maybe more of a side to side tongue flip/roll, but Little Walter used to do that all the time and all he ever played were stock Marine Bands and they've always had wood combs. Sonny Terry did his "warble" that way as well, and he also used MB's for a long period of time. I've never seen any real exercises for them, but Walter also played a throat vibration at the same time.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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nacoran
647 posts
Jan 02, 2010
11:08 AM
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There are wooden combs, and then there are wooden combs. I think your probably right that it's easier on a plastic. Don't push to hard with your tongue. I think that makes your tongue harder to slide. I seem to use the top of the tip of my tongue. I haven't been doing it that long. It seems to sound best working just two holes, but if you add a third note at the top that you just leave alone it can create a nice lifting sound, especially if you slow it down and decrescendo at the same time.
Just be gentle with the tongue and practice.
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jodanchudan
9 posts
Jan 03, 2010
2:37 PM
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Thanks for the tips guys.
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jodanchudan
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jbone
246 posts
Jan 03, 2010
8:29 PM
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when i first saw the thread title i had something different in mind. this is pretty sophisticated to me since i am not a hugely accomplished tber.
but i do something that gets a similar effect, in 3rd, on a chromatic, with a pucker. doing an upward or downward kind of side to side glissando, on the draws, it comes out kind of haunting and unearthly. i rarely hear this on harp recordings and don't have a clue where i picked up the idea. doesn't work just anywhere, it's something i throw in on certain solos.
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nacoran
666 posts
Jan 03, 2010
10:39 PM
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Jbone- I haven't really figure out my Chromatic yet. I have a Chrometa 12 in G. I have discovered that if I only play blow notes and use the slide a lot I can get a pretty neat Eastern European/Turkish sounding (or even Spanish) scale, depending on how I do the beats. I've actually thought about figuring out the notes and getting a standard harp laid out to play it. (The Chromatic seems intent on ripping my mustache off.)
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