mrjoeyman
37 posts
Feb 10, 2018
5:53 PM
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Is it taboo to end a run or lick on the 3 blow when you could end it on the 2 draw?
I know of course that there are times when it may be more "economic" to do either, but is there a good rule of thumb about this? Or is it just as advantageous to do your own thing?
Case in point, should the proverbial blues scale absolutely end on the 2 draw or 3 blow? Probably been covered, but there is no search function that I have found. I would just prefer not to learn things that I have to "unlearn" later. Thanks.
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SuperBee
5258 posts
Feb 10, 2018
6:56 PM
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Good to practice both and think about it.
I do both. There are times you definitely want to use the 2, but there are also times when it makes much more sense to use the 3 blow.
It really just depends.
Sometimes its about where you’re coming from or where you’re about to go.
For instance, juke. Does it start on 2 draw or 3 blow? Does it matter? Maybe not so much imho.
But the turnaround at the end of the 1st chorus? I’d think the 2 draw would get used more often but i just tried it with the 3 blow an found that was also ok.
In the tongue block style it often will depend on the chord
The note in 2 draw/3blow in 2nd position is the root of the I chord but also the 5th of the IV chord. So its quite a friendly note. If you were playing it over the IV chord though, you may want to use 3 blow which enables you to play a slap from the chord, likewise if you did this over the I chord it would not be so appropriate as the chord before the slap would be the IV chord and re the I chord those are kind of the wrong notes..they are all in the scale still, so they’re ok but not as appropriate as they are over the IV chord.
So on the I chord if you played a slap it might be better to use the 2 draw where the chord matches.
Does that make sense?
But yeah, apart from that its often about breath direction and how things lay out best
In tequila for instance i recall i found it easier to use 3 blow before the 3’ 2”. I just now tried it an found i no longer really mind either way but there was definitely a time i would just mess it up if i played 2 3’ 2”
Jimi Lee told me to practice using either/both. Not randomly; in a purposeful way, and then you can decide if one way is better.
I think the main message is ‘it depends’ so don’t get locked into the idea you have to use one or avoid using one.
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mrjoeyman
38 posts
Feb 10, 2018
7:29 PM
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Good advice thanks for your reply.
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Sloppy1
8 posts
Feb 10, 2018
11:00 PM
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The search function is on the left side index in the button that says Blues Harp Forum near the bottom.
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mrjoeyman
40 posts
Feb 10, 2018
11:12 PM
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Wow, I see it thanks!
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MindTheGap
2510 posts
Feb 10, 2018
11:29 PM
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Agreed, when appropriate or useful. Blues players tend to favour the 2D because they can add dips and vibrato, whereas you can't inflect the 3B very much.
I've heard a nice thing to use occasionally - a whole 12-bar round just alternating between 2D and 3B, in a nice shuffle pattern or as you like. Bit of a circus trick because the audience may think you'll should keel over from lack of air, whereas in fact you breathing in and out.
Add some of that 'harp player bending over at the waist with the effort of it all' and you're good to go. Or throwing your head back, whichever you favour.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Feb 10, 2018 11:32 PM
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Spderyak
197 posts
Feb 11, 2018
4:39 AM
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You may see some future posts where people expound on how those notes sound exactly the same... i believe they are mistaken but it is polite to lisren anyway...
Fortunately as others have mentioned you get to do whatever you want...which makes it super nice.
I usually practice Walters Boogie to get those blow notes in rhythm and nice and clean.
Last Edited by Spderyak on Feb 11, 2018 4:41 AM
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Flbl
106 posts
Feb 11, 2018
5:11 AM
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Im just going to add to whats already been said, there is a bit of breath control involved,
the first learning material I had, had all the rifs and lics end on the 3 blow, I think the writer felt it was easier for beginners.
Several years later, I found another book, this writer ended all the rifs on 2 draw, I found this very difficult at first because I would have to control my breath for 2 or more draw notes, but that could be the advantage,
Just playing blow, draw, blow draw up and down the harp can get pretty boring.
But being able to string 2 or 3 draw note together, can make for more interesting lics.
Still there's no right or wrong here practice it both ways and see what works best.
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tingtang
7 posts
Feb 12, 2018
10:20 AM
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I think Lee Sankey has got a youtube video where he talks about using the 3 instead of the 2 in certain situations.
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RyanMortos
1672 posts
Feb 12, 2018
12:14 PM
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There are plenty recordings where harmonica player is playing 3 blow instead of 2 draw so it's not taboo. Though, for us to know that it's happening also is an indication that they don't sound exactly the same. The same goes for chromatic harmonica you can both draw + button or blow no button certain notes and it really depends what did you play last, what are you playing next, and do you need to switch direction to move air differently.
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
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