Ice, I think when you realize the source of draw it works, but I had never really made the connection. It's like drawing blood or drawing breath, both of which are reasonable force level things. I do like inhale and exhale as terms though as a way to encourage the right breath force levels. I tell people to breath through the harmonica to try to get them to play in a way that won't destroy reeds.
You have to admit that having the band leader say "blow some harp" to you sounds better than having him say "draw some harp." Blow is dramatic, suggests action, power, exhertion. "Draw" , though more accurate a description, sounds like someone with a pencil and an sketch pad reflectively etching an awkward rendition of a Hohner. ---------- www.ted-burke.com
@Iceman, Yeah, breathE your breath. Works for me. Lots of ways to blow and draw, though, exhaled air doesn't always come from the diaphragm, for instance. I use a technique, when called for, to sort of pop the air in my mouth's cavity out, either standard blow or ob. Blowing [hard] ruins harps. Breathing, that's when it starts to make sense, and music.
Last Edited by ROBERT TEMPLE II on Aug 23, 2019 11:29 AM
It's hard to change old habits and bad philosophies regarding diatonic harmonica.
When you whistle, you will notice that you use force. When you humm, you will notice that you use finesse and no force.
That's what you should bring to playing harmonica - energy used similar to humming. When you get to that extra force used in whistling, you get diminishing returns...in other words, you are using more energy and getting less for the trouble.
An attempt to change the words describing how to approach playing the harmonica would go a long way to correcting decades of bad philosophy....
Another example is the old "It takes YEARS to learn how to bend properly" - bad philosophy that becomes a self fulfilling prophecy when believed.
So, if we start changing the terms we use to describe these issues, we may start to see a rising positive success rate in those coming up behind us...
Hello all you harmonica teachers out there - take notes, please. ---------- The Iceman
Draw that fluid up through that straw,just like you could draw that air over them reeds,,I like Blow your face out !!!!!!! NOW,there`s some players that suck, then there`s some that suck a note and click it...
Last Edited by nowmon on Aug 30, 2019 1:35 AM
Draw has an artistic connotation that I like. Someone post to one of my YouTube videos that my playing reminded him of an asthmatic goat. Sounds like I'm not breathing right LOL
Additionally, one must consider more deeply the superior status "blow" has to harmonica players over the more pastorale implications of "draw".
It's simple: saying that someone blows a mean harp places one in a tradition of jazz and blues geniuses who had the figurative ability to blow the roof off the room they were performing in.
Hate to sound Italian Futurist hear (even if ever so slightly), but the word blow conveys more accurately the kind of emotional /psychic space the soloist is in during those moments of spontaneous composition (Zappa's term).
Choosing the right word, the proper word, is right and fine at some levels of instruction--how to drive a car, write computer code, set a table, perform CPR--but in other areas beyond the acquisition of theory and mechanical competence, especially in performing arts, the search for the "proper word" is largely a fool's task.
The person who blows a good solo is mixing up their learning and influences and creating something new, off the cuff, not formalized, and the description of they do, informally, as "blowing" is fitting the mood and intensity.
The word suggests, strongly, action, engagement, leaving a mark on the environment, it conveys power, grace, personality, authority.
"Drawing" is a fine word and has its uses in proper contexts of function. But we must remember language is a living thing which changes, the meanings of words change with use; "blow" , in our discussion here, is, I feel, a term that is far more evocative and useful to performer and audience. ---------- www.ted-burke.com
Last Edited by ted burke on Aug 24, 2019 10:50 AM
William Clarke may be heard/seen on several clips enthusiastically bellowing "BLOW, BLOW, BLOW!!!" to one of his guitarists as their solos take off. Cool. Others shout it out to, sort of a reflexive thing when one is really feelin' it.
I don’t know if it’s common usage everywhere, but it’s not unusual here for people to refer to a jam as ‘a blow’. There’s a track on a well-loved album (“towards the blues” by Chain), called “Blow in D”. It does feature a harp, but it’s not required to have a harp before you can have a blow.
I believe the original discussion was regarding playing harmonica/teaching harmonica/discussing harmonica tabs...
Of course, for example, "blow" was and still is a jazz jam session type (originally perhaps?) term to mean "go, man - go" and the comments veered into new territory.
That's the mercurial nature of these discussions... ---------- The Iceman
This is a newer discussion, I started it and it began-- "Draw" I like it! Is there a better word than "blow" for the opposite action?
I don't think there is another word that can accompany Draw with regard to the breath action associated with harmonica, but I am still accepting responses.
London calling to the imitation zone Forget it, brother, you can go it alone London calling upon the zombies of death Quit holding out and... DRAW another breath
Joe Strummer, Mick Jones
Read more: The Clash - London Calling Lyrics | MetroLyrics
"Breathe, breathe in the air Don't be afraid to care" - Pink Floyd
"Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times Blow wind blow blow away these troubled times Take away your sorrow bring me back some peace of mind" - Leftover Salmon ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Aug 30, 2019 9:54 AM
Draw & blow works well in describing the reed plates, but for my purposes, when I am discussing playing I use inhale & exhale. It gets past all the shallowness of other terms.
bang,bounce,crash,jerk,knock,punch,rattle,shake,slam, slap,smack,thump,whack are staying with me.....bump!!!!!!!!!!! instead is ridiculous ---------- The Iceman
The only two motions on a harp,to play is IN and OUT.The first motion [train] I learned was, On holes 2 and 3,In, Dit-dit--out, HU,in-Dat-dat...There`s a lot of root playing just on Dit-dit--HU--Dat-dat...
SuperBee: hee hee.....couldn't resist...was like shooting fish in a barrel... BTW, notice that groyster deleted his personal insulting posts above that inspired my response here..... --------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Sep 07, 2019 8:17 AM
Surprised to see this is such a hot topic for discussion. I know I am an amateur. But every harp instructor I've seen (on youTube), including our host here at MBH, uses the terms, "blow" and "draw." That seems to be the industry standard. Why does it need to be controversial?
I agree with Ted Burke's disquisition on the power of "blow." I think it comes from the fact that "blow!" is a standard exhortation in the world of jazz--saxes, trumpets, etc. I'm specifically thinking about the scene in Kerouac's ON THE ROAD where Dean Moriarty is urging a sax man onward and upward in a SF bar. It's the Big Jay McNeely principle:
Handicapped asked "But every harp instructor I've seen (on youTube), including our host here at MBH, uses the terms, "blow" and "draw." That seems to be the industry standard. Why does it need to be controversial?"
The problem, as I see it, is that using proper terminology - especially when teaching rank beginners and to reinforce best technique - may mean a change in how things are done as an industry standard. (Most industries are pretty interested in exploring a better approach).
It is common knowledge that most people use too much force when playing - just ask BarBQ Bob.
The terms I prefer seem to eliminate that type of bad habit from developing. After decades of teaching, refining and rethinking, the goal is to show students the short cut to the top of the mountain.
Using old terminology still works, but that path winds around the mountain a few times before reaching the top.
I guess we all choose whichever path suits us... (I've always liked short cuts, btw). Therefore, there is no need for controversy, IMO. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Sep 09, 2019 4:28 AM
Making and correcting mistakes- and repairing/replacing tools along the way- are in my history. The downfall is not learning from the mistakes. To me you learn value if you have an associated cost. Shame and embarrassment and frustration are costs as well as shipping an instrument to a repairman- or in my case for years, tossing a "bad harp" and spending my hard earned scratch to replace it. You will by God learn some stuff if it costs you, or you will give up.
I'm not typical probably. But having gone the very long way around I have learned some lessons very well and I'm pretty happy with the results. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
