Shajan
2 posts
Apr 19, 2011
5:14 AM
|
I've got a big problem when I try to play single notes, and this makes blues improv even more difficult than playing by notes.
Tounge block is out of the question as it is very difficult to do for me.
I can either pout my lips like shown by gussow himself but this usually leads to be playing 2 notes anyway so I've had to go with forming my tounge so that it resembles a "tube" and play through it but that does not feel like a good alternative as you can't bend notes when you do that.
Any advice on which technique I should use?
And while I'm at it, does anyone have any recommendation for a chromatic harmonica that is good for jazz dean martin and frank sinatra type of songs? I've got one of those 24-hole ones and it is much easier playing on that than the Suzuki Manji that I've got.
(excuse my english)
|
toddlgreene
2905 posts
Apr 19, 2011
5:22 AM
|
First off, welcome to the forum. How long have you been playing? Not everyone gets single notes immediately-some will take a while, but the worst attitude is to say you CAN'T do it-sure you can, it will just take practice, persistence and possibly some experimenting to see what works best for YOU-we're all different. Some folks start out tongue-blocking, others lip purse, and some even u-block. You will get it if you keep trying. There is no 'best' method.
----------
Todd
Eudora and Deep Soul
Last Edited by on Apr 19, 2011 5:22 AM
|
Jim Rumbaugh
485 posts
Apr 19, 2011
5:26 AM
|
Her is my advice on how to learn to get one note.
start a long blow note, and as you blow, gradually tilt the harp up higher and higher. As more and more of the comb comes to rest on your lower lip, the notes will cut off, one by one, until all you here is one note. At first, you may have the harp tilted at a goofy angle, but eventually you will come back to a normal holding pattern, once you learn how it should feel on the lower lip.
Other people may have other opinions.
----------
intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
|
arzajac
500 posts
Apr 19, 2011
5:51 AM
|
It's not easy to get started. We all know that.
Keep at it. Don't get sidetracked - the work that needs to be done is for you to get your mouth muscles in shape to play harp. That requires a lot of work.
That being said, if I had to do it all over again, I would start by learning to tongue-block before lip-pursing. I think it's easier to learn lip pursing after starting with TBing rather than the other way around.
This is all the explanation you need to learn to TB:
To bend notes, use the same technique as described anywhere else. It will all come to you after you work at it.
----------
|
6SN7
163 posts
Apr 19, 2011
5:58 AM
|
arzajac has given you the best sheet of music to start with. Learn it all.
As for TB, don't give up. I started by TB 2 and 3 and playing 1 and 4. In and out and in and out. Took a week or so of crap playing but finally got it. I can tell you learn to TB is as big a break through as it gets. Good luck.
|
KingoBad
688 posts
Apr 19, 2011
7:27 AM
|
My 2 cents on getting good single notes...
Relax your mouth, bring the CORNERS of your mouth together(like a big fish)to make the playing hole smaller.
Do NOT make your pucker smaller(like sucking through a straw).
You will get many different responses here. Try them all and see which one works best for you.
|
MJ
289 posts
Apr 19, 2011
8:33 AM
|
I also offer my welcome to you. Practice , practice , practice. As KingBad says, there are many techniques you could use, and much good advice to choose from. Try them all, and if that fails...outsource the single note stuff. Good luck and welcome aboard.
|
nacoran
4020 posts
Apr 19, 2011
3:53 PM
|
Don't give up on tongue blocking. There are some techniques you will absolutely need it for. I'm a lip purser most of the time but there are just some things you need tongue blocking for (like split octaves and tongue slaps). As for getting single notes, you can try tipping it, U-blocking, tongue blocking or lip pursing, but eventually it just comes down to practice. If you can hear when you are hitting more than one note just keep on working on it. If you are having a hard time hearing whether you got a little more than one hole (sometimes when you're learning that can be an issue) try something like Bendometer, which will show you what notes you are hitting.
Welcome aboard. :)
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
jonlaing
224 posts
Apr 19, 2011
8:18 PM
|
What Jim said works best for me. I keep the harp deep in my mouth, but mostly pressed up against my bottom lip, to block out the hole I don't want.
I still find Tongue blocking difficult, but I keep at it because there are some instances where that kind of dexterity with your tongue will come in handy. Octaves and splits are a lot easier for me than the single notes TB'ed.
Keep at it. I'd definitely recommend AGAINST the tube... I think it's called U-blocking? That was how I first started getting single notes, and it was a complete dead end. I've not heard of anyone past a beginner toying around with U-blocking, I could be wrong though.
Good Luck.
|
gene
735 posts
Apr 19, 2011
8:42 PM
|
Here's my description:
Blow like you're blowing eraser dust off a sheet of paper. Look in the mirror. See (and feel) how your lips are pursed and you have a tiny hole at the front of your mouth? This is NOT proper embouchure!!
Now act like you're taking a big gulp of a thick, cold milkshake. Look in the mirror. See (and feel) how your mouth is configured. That little hole is now further back in your lips, the flesh of your lips is softer and your jaw has dropped. THIS is the emboucher. Make that hole just small enough to draw or blow through one hole. Your lips should be as relaxed as you can get them, and put the harp pretty far into your mouth.
Last Edited by on Apr 19, 2011 8:44 PM
|
