Re: need help bending and other


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Posted by jimmy k on January 09, 2003 at 12:51:02:

In Reply to: Re: need help bending and other posted by Slim Jim on January 09, 2003 at 11:54:58:

: : : : : : : : i just started playin 3 weeks ago. i'm playing a lee oskar keyed C. i cant get this to bend at all. does the tonguing effect have anything to do with bending. i guess what i'm tryin to ask is does the harmonica roll off the tong. or is it a air flow thing.????

: : : : : : : : 2nd. the tong blocking method. when you have the harmonica in your mouth do you use the center part of your tong or more towards the tip of your tong ????
: : : : : : : : thanks to anyone that can help.

: : : : : : : Let me see if I can shed some light for you,For some built in reason,thinner reeds or such an 'A' harp will bend easier for you.So if you can go shop one up on this site,if not then don't sweat it cos all rules apply to all keys anyway. At your stage you should be learning to play single notes,draw and blow with no bends till you have them down tight. Once there tho, bend are all about air flow from your diaphragm (down by the top of your belly),shaped by your mouth, tongue, and throat. Shape the bend by directing the air flow. to understand this try saying EEE,OOO,KEE,KOO, while drawing in on the "6" hole. This should produce four seperate bend steps after or below the unbent draw note. Practice them up and down till you feel confident and the move to other holes. Not all holes will have four bends in them but will have at least two draw bends. Tongue blocking will be with the tip of your tongue using only enough to cos the block, it's not a lick, just a touch. For now tho save learning tongue technics till you have single note playing, bending,and moving around the harp down. As you start to learn cords and cord rhythems you'll begin to develope tongue block playing. I hope this helps you ,there are plenty of instructional material here on this site you should invest in some in the long run it may be the best thing you do to improve your playing. Good luck to you,Practice, practice,practice, Slim Jim

: : : : : :
: : : : : : thanks Slim Jim. and yes so far i think i have read 99% of the beginners starting section at this site. and more than once just so i can keep this stuff in my head. i've been practicing about 3 to 4 time a day until my lips are dry and tired.
: : : : : : i'll keep in touch slim thanks

: : : : : Try a LITTLE chap stick it'll help on the lips and on sliding between holes don't use too much and it will clean off the harp easily. Don't practice too much at a time as it will fatique tour mouth throat and tongue muscles and make it much more difficult to bend or just play well. When your muscles tire they can't perform right and your tone and playing will go out the window. You can't learn it all at once so slow down and learn everything you do the best that you can do it and then move to the next step. Try not to pack too much into each session. Look on this site for a vidio,CD or tape that will let you hear the bends the way they are supposed to sound and this will help alot in your learning to bend. Blow em away, Slim Jim

: : : :
: : : : Hey Slim your right i need to slow down. it's just that i have a good amount of time to mess around on this thing. i gave it some thought to playing a guitar, but you can't carrier it around in my pocket. with a marp i can take it to work and other places if i want.
: : : : is there any video that you would recomend. there is a BIG music store down the street. they do have alot to offer. harmonica books, stuff like that. as far as videos i did'nt get that far to asking. i'm off today and i just might swing by there.
: : : : thanks Jimmy K

: : : Jimmy, I would recommend Jerry Portnoy's Blues Harmonica Masterclass. You can purchase from the store on this site,I checked and they have it. IMHO it's the best instructional for all levels of players. I think it's a great learning aid,very well presented and easy to understand. I don't think I would recommend any vidios over it.It will take you through a one on one course and de-mystify alot of techniques. It is a three CD and book set. If you decide to go with it you will not be disappointed. Two of the CD's are instructional and there are some great jam tracks tracks on the third. Harp on Slim Jim

: : IMHO i think you lost me there. ?
: : about how much is this booklet?
: : I'm leaving out of here soon. I'll price it here at this local music store.
: : this store is located in Virginia beach Virginia. The staff was very helpful when i whent in there and seem to be knowledge about equiment that they have. i'll keep you posted

: : thanks jimmy
: : In my humble opinion. S.J.


hey slim they didn't have that book. do youn have the web site address. i just may have to order it online.. thanks jimmy





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