Paul
1 post
Jun 17, 2013
10:15 AM
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Hi I have not been playing blues harp for long but have played guitar a good few years. I have just bought a crossover in c and can bend holes 1,4 and 6 quite easily but the 2 draw is not going anywhere. I realise bending hole 6 is slightly different to bending say hole 4 but its just a slight variation on the same technique. Am I right to think bending hole 2 would be the same technique also in which case do I have a faulty harp. I don't know anyone else who plays to try it for me. I thought it was maybe due to longer reeds but I can bend draw 1. Any advice anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated...this is my 1st time on any sort of forum so apologies if I have got anything wrong.
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KingoBad
1324 posts
Jun 17, 2013
10:53 AM
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Don't worry Paul, it's not your harp... It's you.
The technique is similar, but holes 2 and 3 are different to play.
Keep at it, you'll just need to get used to the slight adjustments you will need to make. I believe Adam has a lesson you can get on this very subject...
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Danny
Last Edited by KingoBad on Jun 17, 2013 10:54 AM
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STME58
465 posts
Jun 17, 2013
11:10 AM
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Check the recent topic titled Big Bends.
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5432514.htm
Iceman has a great comment on the technique, and the importance of hearing it in your head before you try to hit it.
Keep trying.
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chromaticblues
1403 posts
Jun 17, 2013
11:18 AM
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Paul one thing you can do is take the coverplates off and look at the gap between the tip of the reed and the reedplate. On hole 2 check the blow and the draw reeds. They should be about the thickness of the reed tip away from the reedplate. Make sure you check both reeds for the hole in question. You can use a jewlers screw driver to push them down or a .003" feeler gauge to pry it more open.
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Paul
2 posts
Jun 17, 2013
11:19 AM
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Thanks for the quick response I was getting a bit disheartened then. I'll check out that lesson and keep trying.
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Seven.Oh.Three.
218 posts
Jun 17, 2013
11:36 AM
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"Bending the 2 Draw": The 2 draw bend (one whole step down) is the flat seventh: a key note in the blues scale, and one that beginners need to master after they've developed some basic bending ability on the 4 draw. This video will get you where you need to go.
Harp key: A and C
Video: www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/3117111-Documents-eBooks-Music-Tutorials
Tab: www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/3117112-Documents-eBooks-Music-Tutorials
"Bending the 3 Draw": NOT just for BEGINNERS and ADVANCED BEGINNERS, but for INTERMEDIATES as well. The 3 draw bend--several different bends, actually--is more challenging than 4 draw and 2 draw. Gussow helps you extract the deep bluesy sound that lies buried in the harp; he uses a guitar to explain exactly which pitches you're trying for and where they're located.
Harp: C
Video: www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/3179910-Documents-eBooks-Music-Tutorials
Tab: www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/3179911-Documents-eBooks-Music-Tutorials
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Paul
3 posts
Jun 17, 2013
12:12 PM
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Thanks all, just closed the gap slightly on the 2 blow reed and can feel the difference. Feels as if the bend comes from further back in the mouth. Can't get it right down yet but at least it's moving now :)
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Seven.Oh.Three.
219 posts
Jun 17, 2013
12:22 PM
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Stick with it man. You'll get it nailed and then look back and wonder why it took so long. It's the first of many frustrating things. If there's one thing I've learned walking this Harmonica road is that you have the be patient and persistent. It's probably the most frustrating things I've ever committed to. But there's few things more rewarding then when "IT" happens and you have that eureka moment.
7.o.3.
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harpdude61
1713 posts
Jun 17, 2013
12:58 PM
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Amen on the further back in your mouth thing. If you can drop that jaw, totally relax, keep the tongue down out of the way, and bend with the throat, they will all come with ease and control even if the gaps are out of adjustment a bit.
Bends are different. I do a warble between two hole draw bent full step and and one draw unbent. Nothing changes in my mouth yet the one draw does not bend even though the two draw is a full step bend. Not sure you can do this with other techniques but it works well with throat bending. Gives you the same lick an octave lower as 4/5 draw warble.
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The Iceman
920 posts
Jun 17, 2013
5:14 PM
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The three notes that "live" in 2 hole inhale is the melody of the old Batman tv show.
na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na BATMAN.
If you get this solidly in your inner ear (assuming you are old enough to know the Batman theme), it is just a matter of having the harmonica "sing" it.
Of course, you do have to discover bending technique..there is more than one approach out there. A good one on one teacher may do wonders for you.
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The Iceman
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rpavich
12 posts
Jun 18, 2013
5:15 AM
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This is interesting.
I find the -2 to be fairly easy (I'm a noob) but the -3 is MUCH harder for me...
I'm glad there are such knowledgeable people here to help. :)
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SmokeJS
109 posts
Jun 18, 2013
5:26 AM
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Does The Iceman have any similar tips for 3 draw bends?
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Pistolcat
405 posts
Jun 18, 2013
5:34 AM
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@ Smoke JS. Try batman there too! You wont play the one and a half step bend but you will need to be able to control that whole step even better! I find the hardest bend to "get" with good intonation is the three hole whole step bend. You can practise this with almost any major song in first or second position. Choose a childrens tune or something that you are REALLy familiar with and your ears will connect better with your mouth without the detour pass your brains...
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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The Iceman
923 posts
Jun 18, 2013
5:56 AM
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@SmokeJS...Does The Iceman have any similar tips for 3 draw bends?
but of course....
remember that ol' drinkin' song "How dry I am"?
After the first four lines, there is that final descending line.
These are all the notes that live in 3 hole inhale.
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The Iceman
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