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Subject: "Beginner and single notes" Archived thread - Read only
 
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Garyolman
Charter Member
Jun-25-06, 08:10 AM (PST)
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"Beginner and single notes"
 
   I am a rank beginner. From what I have read, to get single notes I should learn the "purse lips" method and then later, the tongue blocking method. Right now I am able to tongue block pretty well. Should I bother to learn the "Purse lips" method?
Thanks
Gary


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webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
1933 posts
Jun-25-06, 01:13 PM (PST)
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1. "RE: Beginner and single notes"
In response to message #0
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-31-06 AT 10:48 AM (PST)
 
Gary,

Although the site does not yet reflect it yet, what I used to call the "Whistle Method" (pursed lips), I now refer to as the "Vertical Slot Method" or "Mouth Corner Blocking" (there are many posts from the last few months discussing it and ideally you do not use the top and bottom portions of your lips to form the single note- http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID1/279.html ). I have never liked technique names that also give a bad description of what should be done technically. But, I do know what you mean.

You do not ever have to learn both popular methods of attaining single notes. Many great players over the decades have done one or the other. Most moderen players use both, but it is not absolutely necessary to do both. Tongue Blocking is great for special effects and sounds, but is much more difficult to learn to bend notes with. If you are interested in playing blues, rock, and country type stuff, you should should learn the Corner Blocking method to facilitate learning to bend notes. If not, what you are already doing will be fine.

Play on,
Dave Gage


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Sharon C
Member since Oct-30-06
2 posts
Oct-31-06, 06:19 AM (PST)
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2. "RE: Beginner and single notes"
In response to message #1
 
   Hi-

Where can I learn more about this corner bloacking method? I have been trying to bend notes on both a Lee Oskar and a Hohner Blues Harp MS unsuccessfully. The closest I got to hearing a bent note ( making the note change pitch at all, even the slightest degree) was when I put my tongue down to make a single note instead of the pursed lip. It still sounds weak, but I am thankful the note changed period because absolutely nothing I have done has changed it before, and I have tried all the tips to the best of my ability.

Thanks-

Sharon


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Sharon C
Member since Oct-30-06
2 posts
Oct-31-06, 06:21 AM (PST)
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3. "RE: Beginner and single notes"
In response to message #2
 
   Also, I noticed a typo on my post, and I try to edit the post to fix it, and I can't because of a "internal server error" message that comes up everytime.


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webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
1933 posts
Oct-31-06, 10:51 AM (PST)
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5. "RE: Beginner and single notes"
In response to message #3
 
Sharon,

I am not getting the "internal server error" message when I edit a post. It was either a temporary server problem or a browser issue at your end. I use the FIREFOX browser which works great for PC and Mac-
http://www.mozilla.com

Play on,
Dave Gage


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Slapadrum
Member since Aug-29-06
30 posts
Oct-31-06, 07:09 AM (PST)
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4. "RE: Beginner and single notes"
In response to message #2
 
Hi Sharon,
My name is Doug. I've been a member here for only a couple of months or so . . but the encouragement here is great!
I did not believe (after three weeks) that I'd ever be able to bend a note (figured something might be wrong with me ahhaha) but by practicing each day . . (I have to be honest I play at least an hour a day) I can now bend the notes decently enough to actually use the technique in songs a bit . . keep playing!! keep studying (but keep it fun). . You'll be AMAZED at what happens when you just keep playing. You'll notice your single notes getting prettier and folks who hear you will say wow! . . . Keep it simple and work for clean notes and your ability to do other techniques will come in time (quicker than you might think) . . . I use the 'vertical slot' methode and the 'tips' on this site. I'm very hard of hearing so I purchased a chromatic tuner (cheap) which shows me that I'm actually hitting the notes I'm trying for. This was a great help to me but you don't need one. Thank you Sharon, for sharing your experience . . it's very helpful to me to keep remembering that the Harmonica (Blues Harp) is NOT as easy as some folks would like to think haha . . . Keep Playing! Doug C. (DeafChild)

Deaf Child


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webmasteradmin
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1933 posts
Oct-31-06, 11:13 AM (PST)
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6. "RE: Beginner and single notes"
In response to message #4
 
Sharon,

Take a look at what Doug (Deaf Child) has to say above, he is dead-on. Single notes must be consistent and comfortable before really attempting bending. This is the most important factor.

I'm in the process of updating the Single Note section of the website to better define and describe the "Vertical Slot Single Note Method" (corner blocking). But, this method is the advanced version of the "Whistle Method" which is described in detail already here. Here is some info on this technique from our TERMS and DEFINTION page-

"Vertical Slot method- (sometimes referred to as Corner Blocking) A single note technique which is the advanced, admittedly more difficult, but preferred version of the whistle method (whistle method is also referred to as "lipping" or "pucker" method). Instead of involving your tongue to achieve single notes, as in Tongue Blocking (also recommended for intermediate and advanced players), the vertical slot method creates the single note by dropping the jaw down and slightly back and then using the corners of the mouth to block the surrounding holes. This is in contrast to the simpler whistle method where you play a single note with tight, pursed lips. The act of dropping your jaw creates better tone and volume and eliminates the ability to suck and blow with your lips -- the main cause of thin tone and slightly out-of-tune notes. Blocking the surrounding holes with the corners of your mouth also removes the need for any tightening or tension in your lips."
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/terms3.php

After that, for bending, "tilting the harmonica" works for most people to get started, but there is a whole section on the site devoted to different tricks and tips to get bending happening-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/bending2.php
Also read the Forum member supplied suggestions and tips for bending-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID1/318.html

Play on,
Dave Gage


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