Posted by Ron on March 20, 2002 at 05:02:33:
In Reply to: Bending the 3rd hole posted by Cooth on March 19, 2002 at 07:01:22:
You are normal!!!!
The third hole can be a toughy. This is because there are four draw notes available - one natural and three bends. It is usually easiest to hit that "bottom" bend correctly. It is hardest to hit the two intermediate bends correctly. It might take you two years or more to start nailing those intermediate bends dead on every time. If so, you would be normal. I had the good fortune to have a conversation with Lee Oskar about this. He said that five years is expected before people nail those intermediate bends.
I find that it is easiest to hit the three hole intermediate bends cleanly with a Bb harp (every key of harp has its own playing characteristics). When practicing try to find a reference tone that matches the note of the intermediate bend that you want to practice. Try to hit that tone and HOLD it for as long as you can. It's like going to the gym for your mouth. You need to develop all these tiny muscles to do all this strange stuff.
Bottom line. It's all about practice and you are normal for having a tough time after a few months.
: Hello,
: I would like to ask for an advice concerning bending the note in the 3rd hole. I've been learning to play harmonica for a couple of months and I think I'm able to bend notes, but I have awful difficulties with the third hole. I just can't get a good, clear sound out of it while bending, whereas all the other holes don't make any trouble, at least not so much. Is there anything you could advice me to practice it somehow?
: Thanx in advance,
: Cooth