bluedogg
36 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:26 AM
|
I think I was playing for nearly 10 years before I was able to bend notes. Then one day it just kind of came to me. It was like i could instantly bend. (after a decade of trying) So on Christmas I went to Moms house, and I got my 82 year old Chromatic harmonica playing step Dad a cheap set of Piedmont Blues harmonicas. (he has really good tone, and can play pretty well) We decided to play some Christmas songs together (I keep a cheap set of harps in my truck for traffic jammin') I was playing the songs a bit blusey, and trying to explain to him what cross harp means, which he seemed to grasp. then he asked me how to bend notes. I didnt have an answer. I really don't know how I do it, it just happens. He's leaving for Fla. to spend 2 months with his daughter and without a car will be stuck there so i made him a pretty cool CD with blues backing tracks, and noted with what key he should try each song in, but he wants to know how to go about learning to bend. i'm at a loss. sorry to have rambled on so long. I blame that extra cup of coffee this morning. ;-)
|
mickil
799 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:37 AM
|
bluedogg,
This is how I would describe it:
1. Put the harp down.
2. Whistle a note while breathing in.
3. Do that again while lowereing the pitch. Note how the jaw drops and the tongue arches in the middle.
4. Now pick up the harp and do 2 & 3 with it in your mouth.
I think that pretty much describes it.
----------
YouTube SlimHarpMick a.k.a. HarmonicaMick
|
eharp
404 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:38 AM
|
i hope your step-dad has internet connection in florida. there are many videos on youtube which will help him out.
things that helped me:
1) inhale saying "uuuuu" then switch to "eeeee"
(gindick- he says it is like saying "weird" with 2 distinct syllables.)
2) drinking a thick strawberry shake. a berry gets stuck in the straw.
suck harder, man. (buffalo norton's explanation)
both examples change where the airstream is going.
there is a live chatroom at harmonicaclub.com where there are folks who will help. you need speakers and mic to utilize this room to its full potential. and dont forget to have him become a member here, of course. he can query a way!!
btw- nice xmas present.
|
eharp
405 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:40 AM
|
and dont forget to check out the bending technique thread on this forum.
|
toddlgreene
345 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:42 AM
|
Turn him on to Adam's vids. Also, I equate it(draw bends, anyway)to drinking an Icee(snowball, snowcone, slushie, whatever you relate to)thru a straw, and a bit of ice gets caught in the straw. That extra effort you go thru to get that ice up the straw, but controlled, will bend notes. If you're not getting clear notes when you play single notes(what I mean is not a good seal and you can hear air passing thru the harp apart from the reed sounding), you'll need to sort that out first.
----------
~Todd L. Greene
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
|
bluedogg
37 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:46 AM
|
those examples are right on the money. That should give him a good starting point. He doesnt understand the whole internet thing, but I do have a few good instructional DVD's that im sending with him. I told him when he gets back i'd play go with him to jam with his church group, if he comes with me to a blues jam nite. He's gonna sharpen his blues chops, and i'll learn some church music (can't hurt)
|
mankycodpiece
75 posts
Jan 05, 2010
9:48 AM
|
have alook in the archivesthere's stuff about bending and loads of other subjects.
|
eharp
406 posts
Jan 05, 2010
11:11 AM
|
"i'll learn some church music (can't hurt)"
amen, brother. amen.
|
